COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE
Wednesday, September 20, 2017
QUESTION NO. 12
QUESTION: Councillor F. Timmons
'' To ask for a full report into how below agreed motion can be supported and developed and what supports can be offered to The BCM Residents Association ''
| 53276 | Councillor F. Timmons | Clondalkin Area Committee | Clondalkin Area Committee Meeting 19th April 2017 | Motions | 21/03/2017 |
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"Re Four Districts Woodland Habitat Submission that this Area committee supports - The BCM Residents Association who would like to explore the potential of having the parcel of woodland adjacent to Rathcoole Park , becoming a natural amenity area for Rathcoole, Saggart, Newcastle and Brittas i.e. a regional amenity that would be unique to this part of South County Dublin. It will complement the existing and proposed park and play areas with the potential to become a tourist attraction and provide a link to the existing Slade Heritage Walk. The land in question is close to Swiftbrook (Saggart) Mill and Rathcoole Park ponds. This would be a prime location for school trips / tourism, and could provide a raw material source for local industry with the natural wood available." |
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Reply
With regard to the Motion from 21/3/2017, the following reply was noted:
“The Council was recently forwarded a document from BCM Residents Association with regard to lands to the south of Rathcoole town and Rathcoole Park that are currently zoned as follows:
Roughly 50% of the lands (outlined on an enclosed map) are currently zoned RES-N: “To provide for new residential communities in line with approved area plans.”
Roughly 50% of the lands outlined (outlined on an enclosed map) are currently zoned “To preserve and provide for open space and amenities.”
The zoning of land for development is undertaken by the elected members during the review of the County Development Plan. In June 2016 South Dublin County Council Development Plan 2016-2022 (the Development Plan) was adopted by the elected members and is valid for six years. The Development Plan was prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). The Development Plan contains a “Core Strategy” which sets the parameters for population growth which must be in accordance with the population targets and settlement hierarchy set down in the National Spatial Strategy and the Regional Planning Guidelines. The “Core Strategy” ensures that there sufficient lands zoned for planned development in South Dublin to meet projected growth demands during the lifetime of the plan.
The “Core Strategy” designates Rathcoole as a “Small Town” to which seeks:
- To support and facilitate development on zoned lands on a phased basis subject to approved local area plans.
- To provide sufficient zoned lands to accommodate services, facilities retail and economic activity.
The portion of the site currently zoned RES-N, together with adjoining RES-N zoned sites require the preparation of an approved area plan. Any proposed development of the RES – N land, in the absence of an approved area plan would be deemed premature and unlikely to be granted planning permission.
The preparation of an approved area plan could be informed by the principles of “Green Infrastructure” and thus examine potential connections to the proposed Slade Valley Heritage Trail, nearby proposed Natural Heritage Areas and other areas of biodiversity importance as well as existing use and connections; as proposed by the Residents Association.
With regard to the lands zoned to preserve and provide for open space and amenities in particular:
The location of these lands; adjacent to Rathcoole Park, enables synergies in relation to ecology to develop; such as wildlife corridors, refuges for flora and fauna, enhanced food sources etc. As the land is zoned to preserve and provide for open space and amenities; that zoning would support the proposal by the residents group. However the majority of the lands thus zoned are not in the ownership of the council, so the scope to implement the proposals directly are not within the remit of the council.”
Following contributions from Councillors F. Timmons, E. Higgins and T. Gilligan, Mr. M. Hannon, Senior Executive Parks Superintendent responded to queries raised, and the report was NOTED.