COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM/TEMPLEOGUE-TERENURE AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

MOTION NO. 1

MOTION: Councillor P. Foley

Cathaoirleach's Business

"In relation to Correspondence which I have received and have circulated to all the Members of this Committee in relation re The Proposed Tourist Development ("Proposed Development)" at Hell Fire Club and Massey's Estate (the Location).  I ask the Chief Executive to make a statement on the matter."

REPORT:

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 following statutory consultative requirements which will of course be complied with. The Council also intends to fully engage locally with residents in the area during February 2017, when greater clarity on the proposed design is established as a result of the ongoing process of preparing a planning application.

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.