COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN MEETING

Thursday, June 18, 2015

MOTION NO. 19

MOTION: Councillor M. Duff

It is an objective for the Council to prepare a Local Area Plan for Brittas

REPORT:

Response

It is a requirement under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) for the County Development Plan including its Core Strategy to be consistent with the Regional Planning Guidelines for the Greater Dublin Area 2010 – 2022 and to be based on projected population and housing needs.

The Regional Planning Guidelines locates Brittas within the Rural Hinterland Area. The lands around Brittas are also zoned Objective HA (High Amenity – To protect and enhance the outstanding natural character and amenity of the Dublin Mountains) under the Draft County Plan. Brittas is therefore not zoned or identified for significant development and there is no evidence based requirement or rationale for a significant increase in population and housing capacity during the lifetime of the Draft Development Plan 2016 - 2022.

The Local Area Plans Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2013) advise that the decision to make a Local Area Plan should take cognisance of the degree to which major development is anticipated such as to justify the preparation of a stand alone plan, the resource implications and the need to focus resources in using the local area plan process for areas where major alterations to the built environment are anticipated.

In line with the response to Motion ID 45181 it is recommended that the motion be amended to support Brittas as a sustainable community and rural village of outstanding natural beauty and to prepare a planning study for Brittas Village, in consultation with local residents and local representatives, having regard to the implications of the proposed Natural Heritage Area designations, the future protection and enhancement of the village, the development of tourism potential in the area with a view to the long term viability of the local community.

Recommendation

It is recommended that this motion is adopted with amendment to support Brittas as a sustainable community and rural village of outstanding natural beauty and to prepare a planning study for Brittas Village, in consultation with local residents and local representatives, having regard to the implications of the proposed Natural Heritage Area designations, the future protection and enhancement of the village, the development of tourism potential in the area with a view to the long term viability of the local community.