COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SDZ, LAPS AND PLANNING PROJECTS

Friday, January 26, 2018

MOTION NO. 151

MOTION: Councillor L. O'Toole

Economic Development 2.6

Overall the size allocated to E&E has been reduced in the proposed Clonburris SDZ plan and this does not allow for increase in local employment for future residents within the Cloburris SDZ and existing residents in surrounding areas. Introducing local employment within the Clonburris SDZ plan would result in alleviating traffic congestion which residents in surrounding areas are currently experiencing.

Census figures from 2016 states the following:

“In 2016 there were 11034 commuters who lived in the Electoral Division of LUCAN – ESKER but worked elsewhere. There were 2482 commuters who travelled into this electoral division to work. This resulted in a net flow of -8552.”

This tells us the vast majority of people in the Lucan are travelling one way to go to work outside the Lucan area resulting in the traffic gridlock. If more residents can get work locally it will reduce traffic journeys.

Local employment is vital to allow the possibility of part time work for those with young families (particularly women) who need to stay in close proximity to their children’s school and who are only available to work part time. It is not always viable for part time workers to commute outside the area.

The 442 units located in Adamstown Extension (see Table 2.1.5) to be relocated within the SDZ plan Kishoge Urban Centre (KUC) 734 + 442 = 1176, bringing it in line with the proposed number in Clonburris Urban Centre (CUC) (1265.).

Allowing the proposed 442 units on the Adamstown Extension would only lead to the following outcomes:

Increase car usage as the proposed 442 units are disconnected from the wider Clonburris Plan. Placing new and ADDITIONAL exits/entrances on the Newcastle Road R120 would result increasing the gridlock that is currently present on this road. The lack of schools, shops etc within close proximity to the proposed 442 units will lead to additional cars accessing the Newcastle Road R136 adding further to the traffic congestion which is currently being experienced.

The Adamstown Extension to be zoned for Mixed Use which would result in future residents of Clonburris SDZ having mixed employment opportunities locally and also local employment for the surrounding areas which would lead to increase in local public transport and reducing the number of cars on the existing gridlocked roads.

Pg. 126 Table 3.3.11 Adamstown Extension

Amend the table as follows:

Area Character Type		Light Industry and Open Space /Amenity
Net Development area
No of units (Target)		Remove
Average Net Density (Target)		Remove
Affordable/Social dwelings		Remove
Building height		Remove
Public open space		Adjacent to the Griffeen Park Extension

Co-signed Cllr Guss O Connell & Cllr Paul Gogarty

REPORT:

The content of the motion is noted and if adopted, would remove the residential units in the Adamstown Extension Development Area and replace with a Mixed Use land use with other complimenting changes to tables in the DPS.

The motion provides for the Adamstown Extension to be zoned for Mixed Use which would result in future residents of Clonburris SDZ having mixed employment opportunities locally and also local employment for the surrounding areas which would lead to increase in local public transport and reducing the number of cars on the existing gridlocked roads.

For employment, the Draft Planning Scheme (DPS) targets sectors of the economy with a high job density such as offices and small to medium enterprises that can integrate into a mixed use urban environment in the Urban Centres. The Employment Floor Space Demand Study (2017) outlines the rationale for the target sectors. The DPS requires a substantial minimum employment floorspace be provided in the Urban Centres to ensure employment opportunities. The employment floorspace will be provided, predominantly to facilitate the development of a vibrant and mixed use centre at the new Clonburris Urban Centre. The distribution of the employment floorspace in the Scheme is related to the accessibility offered by public transport across the lands. The main commercial areas are focused primarily around Fonthill Train Station and Kishoge Train Station.

As such, it is considered that a further substantial area of Mixed Use at Adamstown Extension will compete with the proposed Urban Centres and conflict with the overall aim of the DPS to create a sustainable urban district with vibrant mixed use urban centres. The Adamstown Extension area would not be proximate to and integrated with other land uses in so far as to promote compact urban development and sustainable transport options for employees.

Furthermore, there are Enterprise and Employment zoned lands available in the wider employment catchment to accommodate light industry and manufacturing uses, including at Citywest, Greenogue and Grange Castle.

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. The scheme is designed to align employment with public transport as stated above. 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. . 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.