COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

MOTION NO. 22

MOTION: Councillor V. Casserly

"I wish to acknowledge the efforts made to date in relation to the Griffeen Valley play space consultation process and would call on management for further ongoing dialogue to alleviate concerns of some residents ensuring all voices are being represented equally from neighbouring estates."

REPORT:

The consultation process for the Play Space programme is based on the following model:

Notify the local Residents Associations in the vicinity of the proposed locations. In many cases there are no groups in existence and in that case suggestions are requested from the local Elected Members and based on those individuals who may have been active in particular issues locally.

Following the identification of a group or individuals an exercise is conducted on some initial scoping on the issues likely to be encountered and the possible designs appropriate for the particular site. The design is always specific to the site. The Elected Members are made aware of the initial scoping meetings.

These meetings identify particular issues of concern to the local residents and some compromise is inevitable in order to progress the plan.

Problems have arisen is certain areas in the county where there are no Residents Association in existence and in some cases where there is poor communication between the residents in the area. Other problems have arisen when some residents use Social Media to convey a particular point of view either for or against the proposal but often without becoming involved in the actual consultation process itself.

Following recent difficulties in many areas of the county a new model is being tested that will consist of a leaflet drop to all of the surrounding houses in the vicinity of the proposed location and inviting the residents to a public meeting about the proposals. This model is currently being arranged for two proposed locations in the county. In this way it is hoped that no one will be in a position to state that they were unaware of the proposal in the first place.

A further refinement is also being tested whereby a professional consultation organisation is employed to facilitate the consultation and design process. This will be tested in two locations and if it is considered to be successful it will become part of the consultation process in tandem with the leaflet drop.

In relation to the Griffeen Avenue location there was extensive prior discussion with local residents on the proposal and the designs were substantially modified as a result of these discussions.