COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN MEETING

Thursday, June 18, 2015

MOTION NO. 306

MOTION: Councillor W. Lavelle

That the draft Record of Protected Structures be amended to retain the current protected structure status of the 20 individual houses at Weirview which are also the subject of the proposed extension of the Lucan Village Architectural Character Area.

Co-sponsored by Cllr. Casserly

REPORT:

The proposed removal of Weirview Cottages from the Record of Protected Structures and inclusion within an extended Architectural Conservation Area has been informed by the Appraisal of Candidate Architectural Conservation Areas, which was carried out as an independent assessment of groups of structures of special interest within the County.

The ACA Appraisal advises that ACA designation will provide a more appropriate level of protection for terraces or groupings of dwellings that were designed and built as distinct entities. It is further advised that where such terraces are designated as protected structures (such as Weirview Cottages), these should be removed from the RPS in recognition of the nature of their special visual interest or value and the appropriate level of protection that will be provided under ACA designation.

ACA designation will continue to afford statutory protection to the special interest of Weirview Cottages under Planning and Development Legislation, namely the external appearance and coherent visual setting created by these structures and negates the need for inclusion in the RPS. Removal from the RPS will provide flexibility for residents to carry out internal improvements and renovation without the need to apply for planning permission. This is considered to be appropriate in the context that Weirview Cottages consists of vernacular workers cottages where their special interest relates to their external appearance and not to their interiors.

The retention of Weirview Cottages within the RPS would also be inconsistent with the proposed removal of Millbank Cottages from the RPS, which are located in the same proposed ACA extension area and are similar in style, age and appearance to Weirview Cottages. The proposed motion would place an inequitable and unnecessary burden on the residents of Weirview Cottages compared to the residents of Millbank Cottages and other groups of dwellings within the County that are proposed for ACA designation.

Recommendation

It is recommended that this motion is not adopted.