COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SDZ, LAPS AND PLANNING PROJECTS

Friday, January 26, 2018

MOTION NO. 155

MOTION: Councillor P. Gogarty

In section 2.6.2 Location of the Employment Floorspace within the Scheme, amend to read as follows:

Predominantly, the employment floorspace will be provided to facilitate
the development of vibrant and mixed use centres at the new Clonburris
and Kishoge Urban Centres. The distribution of the employment floorspace in the Scheme shall be related to the accessibility offered by public transport
across the lands. The main commercial areas are focused primarily
around Fonthill and Kishoge Train Stations.
 
The total employment floorspace provision for the Planning Scheme is
informed by a Clonburris SDZ Employment Floor Area Demand Study
(February 2017) and also takes into account the expansion of the Kishoge Urban area and increased densities in the vicinity of the train stations.
The Planning Scheme shall accommodate a range of 45,000 sqm –
60,000 sqm of non-retail commercial floorspace. Table 2.6.1
 
[NB as amended by motions]
 
provides a minimum allocation of the floorspace for each Development Area to
provide for the low end of the range. Additional floorspace exceeding
the minimum allocation to achieve a maximum of 60,000 sqm in the
Planning Scheme can be developed in the Clonburris Urban Centre or
Kishoge Urban Centre. Provision of additional small scale employment
floorspace in the Local Nodes will also be considered..

REPORT:

The Chief Executive recommends that the motion is not adopted by reason of the motion conflicting with the recommendations of the Employment Floor Area Demand Study (2017).

The subject motion amends text in Section 2.6.2 Location of the Employment Floorspace. The subject amendments provides for an increased in the minimum required employment floorspace in the DPS from 31,115 sqm to 45,015 sqm.

Please note amended Table 2.13.1 attached to Item 56601. It is recommended that this motion is considered in tandem with Item 55604 which inserts the employment floorspace from this motion into Section 2.6.5 Home Working of the DPS.

In preparation of the Draft Planning Scheme, the Planning Authority prepared an Employment Floor Area Demand Study (2017) to inform the quantum and type of commercial floorspace. The Study accompanies the Draft Planning Scheme and recommends that the Draft Planning Scheme should accommodate 30,000 sqm – 40,000 of commercial floorspace. The policy context, economic growth, public transport accessibility, road infrastructure, supply, vacancies and sector demands were considered to inform this recommendation.

The Draft Planning Scheme provides for a minimum of 31,115 sqm employment floorspace. Predominantly, the employment floorspace will be provided to facilitate the development of vibrant and mixed use centres at the new Clonburris Urban Centre.

It is considered that the requirement to provide a minimum of 45,000 sqm is not supported by an evidence base. Furthermore, it is considered that the role of Clonburris within the wider County does not warrant the provision of a minimum of 45,000 sqm of employment. It is the stated policy of the Council to reinforce the role of Tallaght as the County Town and Clondalkin as a major Town Centre at the top of the County’s urban hierarchy. Additionally, the Urban Hierarchy of the County outlines that the traditional village centres are above District centres and it is the policy of the Council to develop the villages, such as Lucan, as vibrant and sustainable centres. In this context, the proposed quantum is carefully considered to provide an appropriate quantum to match the district centre role of Clonburris.

Additionally, it is considered that increases in the minimum commercial floorspace requirements will adversely impact on the economic viability of the Draft Planning Scheme.

Recommendation

It is recommended that the motion is not adopted.

Recommendation

It is recommended that the motion is not adopted

Strategic Environmental Assessment of Chief Executive’s Recommendation

No interaction with Strategic Environmental Objectives.

Strategic Environmental Assessment of Proposed Motion

The motion is not consistent with the objectives to provide mixed use urban centre aligned with sustainable transport options. It may also give rise to indirect negative effects in terms of material assets (transport) and population and human health SEOS in terms of overall sustainable communities. As stated above, the role of Tallaght and Clondalkin’s function of County Town and major Town Centre in the South Dublin CDP should be supported through the planning scheme. It is not recommended this motion be adopted.

Appropriate Assessment Screening of Chief Executive’s Recommendation

No likely significant effects on European sites within the SDZ’s zone of influence are predicted.