COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF LAND USE PLANNING AND TRANSPORTATION SPC
Monday, December 04, 2017
HEADED ITEM NO. 6
HEADED ITEM: L. Planning & Transportation
Weston Aerodrome – Report on Public Consultation
REPLY:
On the 13th July 2017, South Dublin County Council (SDCC) gave notice of its intention to review the land use planning framework governing the future development and operation of Weston Aerodrome with reference to changing European safety requirements, economic development opportunities for the County and the impact on neighbouring residential communities.
The consultation took place over a six week period from Thursday 13th July to Thursday 24th August 2017, during which time information was disseminated to the public and submissions were invited, as follows;
- Notification of public consultation was published in the Irish Times, Lucan Gazette and Liffey Champion newspapers on Thursday 13th July 2017, together with information on the public consultation programme and an invitation for submissions.
- Letters that provided notification of the consultation programme and an invitation for submissions were posted to, inter alia, the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, the Irish Aviation Authority, Dublin Airport Authority, Kildare County Council and other relevant prescribed authorities.
- Public information displays were placed in County Hall in Tallaght, Civic Offices in Clondalkin, Lucan Library, Clondalkin Library, Stewart’s Library and Palmerstown Library Digital Hub. The display material included a public information poster, a copy of the newspaper notice and a map showing Weston Aerodrome.
- Information was made available and submissions were invited on the Council’s Online Consultation Portal.
- A significant brochure distribution campaign took place in the environs of Weston Aerodrome, informing the public of the public consultation programme and how to make a submission. Submissions were invited and framed under the following three potential issues for consideration:
- Future Development: Are there potential development opportunities for Weston Aerodrome to be developed, having regard to changing European safety requirements and the residential amenity of neighbouring communities?
- Economic Development: Are there any future development opportunities at Western Aerodrome which could contribute to the sustainable development of the County?
- Capacity for Tourism: Are there any opportunities for tourism and recreational potential at Weston Aerodrome which could benefit the County?
A total of 824 valid submissions were received during the public consultation period, all of which were read, analysed and summarised in the accompanying Chief Executive’s Report.
Following a review of the submissions received from the consultation period, in accordance with Policy IE9 Objective 6 of the County Development Plan 2016-2022, the issues raised would not necessitate an amendment to the zoning objective for Weston Aerodrome in the County Development Plan, with many of the matters raised outside the remit of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) or can be addressed under the existing use classification for the site. It is considered that the current County Development Plan contains sufficient policies to meet the future development needs of the landowners, as well as addressing the concerns raised as part of the consultation process.
In recognising the importance of promoting the development of the County, any economic or tourism related proposals at this location will be subject to a separate planning application process and will be assessed on their own merits, subject to the County Development Plan’s relevant zoning objective, policies, standards and requirements. The assessment of proposals under the Development Management process will afford the public the opportunity to make submissions on any proposed development, whilst also enabling the Planning Authority to assess any long-term term or potentially cumulative impact of development at Weston aerodrome and the surrounding area.
In conclusion, the existing County Development Plan ‘RU’ zoning objective adequately provides for the future development and operation of Weston Aerodrome, whilst safeguarding the amenity of the surrounding residential properties. In this regard, it is recommended that the existing zoning objective for Weston Aerodrome remains in place, with no changes required to the land use planning framework governing the future development and operation of Weston Aerodrome.