COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, December 12, 2016

QUESTION NO.10

QUESTION: Councillor D. Looney

To ask the Chief Executive for a report on the work carried out to date relating to the proposed Dublin Mountains flagship project; to state the proposed timeline for environmental assessment and the planning process; and to make a statement on the matter.

REPLY:

Based on the recommendations of the 2015 Tourism Strategy the Council agreed an MOU with Coillte, (the main landowner in the area), to procure a Feasibility and Draft Master Plan for a flagship tourist attraction in the Mountains in South Dublin County. Following a procurement process a consultant team led by Paul Keogh Architects were engaged. The team analysed 6 potential sites through a matrix of key planning and environmental considerations. Following discussion with the project steering committee, (representative of SDCC, Coillte and the Dublin Mountains Partnership), Hellfire/Masseys was selected as the best option for a flagship development.

Following agreement on the potential location the consultant team developed the feasibility/draft master plan(s) for Hellfire/Masseys. This plan was presented to, and considered by, the steering committee, Corporate Policy Group, Strategic Policy Committees and the full Council, and Coillte. The full presentation given to the Council meeting at the March 2016 meeting can be viewed here.  

Following agreement on the plans, a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with Coillte to progress the Mountains Flagship project through planning, and subject to planning and funding on to the development stage.

Following a procurement process the Council have appointed a consultant team to prepare the planning application. It is envisaged that a completed application will be lodged with An Bord Pleanala April/May 2017. There are statutory consultative requirements which will of course be complied with. In addition, as the design process evolves other informal local consultation will be arranged in early 2017. Further information will  be provided on this as soon as possible.

As indicated above the project is being progressed with Coillte and the Dublin Mountains Partnership. Failte Ireland have expressed their support for the project concept. A funding application has been lodged with Failte Ireland under their "Grants Scheme for Large Tourism Projects 2016-2020" and a decision in this regard is anticipated early in 2017.