COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM/TEMPLEOGUE-TERENURE AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, January 09, 2018

QUESTION NO.8

QUESTION: Councillor D. Looney

"To ask the Chief Executive for an update on the Dublin Mountains Visitor Centre, including an update on the additional information requested by An Bord Pleanála, and to make a statement on the matter?"

REPLY:

"The proposed Dublin Mountains Visitor Centre is a joint development by South Dublin County Council, Coillte and the Dublin Mountains Partnership to create a new “gateway” to the Dublin Mountains located at the combined Massy’s Wood/Estate and Montpelier Hill incorporating the Hell Fire Club site.

The Application and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report in relation to this project were submitted on the Council’s behalf to An Bord Pleanála (ABP) on Monday, 31st July 2017 (Ref: JA0040).

Following receipt of 84 submissions, ABP requested further additional information from the Council in relation to: Appropriate Assessment of the site; Red Squirrels; Pine Martens; Bats; and miscellaneous matters.  A comprehensive response addressing all the matters raised was submitted on the Council’s behalf to ABP on Thursday, 30th November 2017 including: a Further Information Response Document; a Revised Operational Management Plan; and a Red Squirrel Management Plan.  Subsequently, ABP requested that South Dublin County Council give notice that further information containing significant additional data had been furnished to ABP in relation to the application. A public notice advertisment was placed in national media and the further information is available for inspection in County Hall, Tallaght, Ballyroan Library and the Offices of An Bord Pleanála until the 8th January 2018.  Submissions or observations on the further information in relation to the proposed development were to be made in writing to ABP before 17.30h on Monday 8th January 2018.

All project information is available to view on the Council’s dedicated project information pages http://www.sdcc.ie/services/parks-and-recreation/dublin-mountains-project."