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. 194

MOTION: Councillor F. Timmons

“That there be a Specific Local Objective to provide a place of worship and community facilities for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association Ireland at the former Fossett Site on Hayden’s Lane as designated in the accompanying Map.”

Cllrs G. O Connell, P. Gogarty and L. O'Toole 

REPORT:

The Chief Executive recommends that this motion is not adopted. The Scheme recognises the importance of places of worship and multi-faith centres in meeting the diverse religious and cultural needs of the community. Section 2.7 of the Draft Planning Scheme supports and facilitates the development of places of worship and multi-faith facilities at Clonburris Urban Centre, Kishoge Urban Centre and at other suitable locations where they do not adversely impact on residential amenities and comply with the Planning Scheme.

The following summary points outline the reasons the Chief Executive recommends not adopting motion:

It is considered that community facilities, including places of worship, should generally be located within the Urban Centres to create a critical mass of development, activity and benefit from the highest level of transport accessibility. The Chief Executive does not consider that the former Fossetts site at Haydens Lane is the most suitable location for community facilities.

The priority location principle shall apply to community facilities including places of worship, with a site suitability assessment. This assessment should be based on the catchment scale for the proposal, the urban centre hierarchy of the Planning Scheme, the accessibility of the site and the availability of alternative, more suitable sites.

As such, it is considered that a place of worship with a regional catchment should be provided in a more suitable location such as within the Urban Centres or in close proximity.

Further to the above, the subject site of this motion adjoins the Griffeen River and the Draft Planning Scheme has indicated a land use of Open Space for this area to facilitate the connection of the Griffeen Valley Park Extension and the river. This will provide a positive in terms of Green Infrastructure and biodiversity. Furthermore, by reason of public transport accessibility, vehicular accessibility, isolation from other community facilities and alternative locations, it is considered that the subject site is not suitable for the proposed land use.

The masterplanning process has incorporated a wide range of intrinsically linked components such as green infrastructure, street, transport corridors, transport trip demand, accessibility to public transport, heritage, landscape, water management, urban blocks, key streets and space frontages. It is considered that this significant land use amendment would have implications for a range of these components and as such, it is considered that, in the absence of an evidence based approach, the alternative land use is not justified.

 

Recommendation

It is recommended that the motion is not adopted.

Strategic Environmental Assessment of Chief Executive’s Recommendation

No interaction with Strategic Environmental Objectives.

SEA Recommendation of Motion

As stated above, the planning preparation was informed by ecological and green and blue considerations and this location allows for extension of Griffeen therefore providing positive effects under the current scheme for Landscape, Biodiversity and Population SEOs in particular. Urban centres as locations for key places of worship are also recognised in the scheme to integrated sustainable transport considerations. Amending this landuse through the motion is therefore not recommended.

Appropriate Assessment Screening of Chief Executive’s Recommendation

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