COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM/TEMPLEOGUE-TERENURE AREA COMMITTEE
Tuesday, December 12, 2017
MOTION NO. 4
MOTION: Councillor B. Lawlor
"That this Council replaces the temporary fencing with permanent fencing around Firhouse Carmel new pitches."
REPORT:
"In relation to the new pitches at Firhouse; the construction is completed and the establishment stage for the grass is well underway. The Council looks forward to the pitch being available for play once the current settling-in period is completed.
The council do not support fencing-off pitches on open space, as this effectively limits the amenity value of the area to a selected number of people. The value of fencing in preventing access is limited and the resultant repairs to breached fences is an on-going cost to the council. The design of the pitch has incorporated banks on 3 sides of the pitch with the 4th side facing the well overlooked section of the park. It is envisaged that this will limit unauthorised access.
It is the Councils intention to develop an overall plan for the park. With some small and phased interventions the park could be improved significantly. The design for the park will ensure desire lines divert pedestrians away from the pitch and interventions can be incorporated to deter unauthorised access at various locations. Some of the work would be low cost; such as planting etc. but other items may need to be costed and phased such as linking footpaths / extension of the shared route etc.
The Council plans to kick off this process with a meeting with the local club in the new year; with whom they have discussed incorporating some tree planting along the banks around the pitch; which in terms of decreasing access and providing some shelter seemed to be well received."