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. 174

MOTION: Councillor E. Higgins

That Section 2.7.2 be amended to include a specified list of all community facilities that will be delivered in each of the Development Zones including the multi-functional community space envisaged to be similar to Rua Red in style.

Cllrs Emer Higgins, Vicki Casserly, William Lavelle, Kenneth Egan, Paula Donovan, Brian Lawlor and Conor McMahon

REPORT: 

Section 2.7.2 outlines that community facilities will predominantly be located in the Urban Centres. Overall, the Planning Scheme specifies a minimum of 7,300 sqm, including an Urban Hub with a 2,500 sqm building(s) with a multi-functional use and Park Hubs. Section 2.7.3 outlines that other community facilities such as Childcare, Primary Health Care, Fire Station site and School sites are required to be delivered. 

There are a wide range of other community facilities that may emerge as required for the population, hence the floorspace figure is a minimum. The Council, statutory agencies, voluntary bodies or the private sector may agree or propose the provision of further facilities as the population profile of the community emerges, such as nursing homes and places of worship. To provide a list of required facilities would limit the scope of such facilities and is unnecessary. Similar to development in any part of the County, proposals for such facilities will be assessed through Part 8 or planning applications. The matrix in Section 2.1.3 outlines land uses open for consideration and permitted in principle in the Residential, Mixed Use and Open Space areas. 

It is noteworthy that Section 4.9 Monitoring and Review outlines that the Phasing Programme and Planning Scheme will be reviewed prior to the commencement of Phase 3.

Updated Response – 29-01-2017

Further to the debate at the meeting on January 26th, the Chief Executive has prepared the following for clarity:

The Chief Executive outlines that it is an overarching principle of the Draft Planning Scheme to facilitate the balanced provision of community facilities and services for the residents of Clonburris to promote health and well-being, social inclusion and quality of life. The Community Buildings provision for the SDZ is outlined in minimum terms in the Draft Planning Scheme in Section 2.7.2 Community Buildings and Table 2.7.1. The Scheme provides for a minimum of 7,300 sqm of community floorspace.

The minimum provision is envisaged to be predominantly provided for in an Urban Hub at Clonburris Urban Centre and at four Park Hubs integrated into the urban environment adjacent to the main parks.

Urban Hub at Clonburris

These hubs are located in the Urban Centres and should be the location for intensive community uses that do not require extensive outdoor space.

A minimum of 2,500 sqm building with a multi-function use and a minimum of 600 sqm of dedicated community space. The building might include community offices, art studios, health centres, nurseries, creches, school, retail or commercial. The Chief Executive envisages a scale of provision equivalent of Rua Red in Tallaght at the heart of the Clonburris Urban Centre. The minimum floorspace for community provides scope for other facilities such as a library

Four Park Hubs

Four Park Hubs are outlined adjacent to Griffeen Valley Park, Barony Park North, Barony Park South and Canal Park. These Park Hubs are designated to correspond to the local nodes at Grange, Clonburris Little, Cappagh and Gallanstown. The Park Hub designation facilitates complementary floorspace required for the adjacent park such as changing rooms, meeting rooms etc.

A district level provision of recreation facilities shall be located adjacent to Barony Park South as part of the Clonburris Little Local Node. This facility may be shared with schools and should accommodate meeting rooms, sports hall, changing rooms, playground & flexible community space in a purpose built building(s) of a minimum gross floor space of 1,500 sqm. The Park Community Centre at Ballycullen or the planned sports hall at Adamstown would be examples of a similar sized facility.

Summary

The Community Buildings provision in the Draft Planning Scheme is provided for through the following minimums:

These buildings will be designed to serve the functions of several sports and community uses. The details will be considered at detailed design/ planning application stage.

The subject motion requests a specified list. In the context of the above, the Chief Executive considers the above as a minimum provision list in terms of community buildings. This is outlined in the Draft Planning Scheme in Table 2.7.1.

There are a wide range of other community facilities that may emerge as required for the population, hence the floorspace figure is a minimum. The Council, statutory agencies, voluntary bodies or the private sector may agree or propose the provision of further facilities as the population profile of the community emerges, such as nursing homes and places of worship. To provide a list of required facilities would limit the scope of such facilities and is unnecessary. Similar to development in any part of the County, proposals for such facilities will be assessed through Part 8 or planning applications. The matrix in Section 2.1.3 outlines land uses open for consideration and permitted in principle in the Residential, Mixed Use and Open Space areas.

The Chief Executive accepts the intention of the motion, however, it is considered that a minimum provision for community centres is included in the Plan and the provision of a specified list is not appropriate.

Recommendation

It is recommended that the motion is not adopted.

Strategic Environmental Assessment of Chief Executive’s Recommendation

No interaction with Strategic Environmental Objectives.

Appropriate Assessment Screening of Chief Executive’s Recommendation

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