COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SDZ, LAPS AND PLANNING PROJECTS

Friday, January 26, 2018

MOTION NO. 341

MOTION: Councillor W. Lavelle

That this Council, noting:

• - the Adamstown SDZ remains at an early stage of development;

• - the lack of sustainable phasing requirements in the draft SDZ planning scheme for necessary transport infrastructure and public transport improvements;

• - the failure of the draft SDZ planning scheme to acknowledge or address the current scale of traffic congestion and lack of public transport carrying capacity in the Lucan and Clondalkin;

Considers that the proposal set-out in the draft SDZ planning scheme would lead to unsustainable over-development and therefore RESOLVES NOT TO ADOPT THE PLANNING SCHEME.

REPORT:

Response

The Draft Planning Scheme for the Clonburris SDZ has been prepared by South Dublin County Council as a direct result of Government legislation (S.I. No. 604 of 2015). SDCC is the specified Development Agency responsible for the preparation of the Planning Scheme for the SDZ lands. The SDZ Order identifies the lands at Clonburris, consisting of 280 hectares, as a site for the establishment of an SDZ and deems the lands to be of economic and social importance to the State.

The Government’s position on the Clonburris SDZ is reinforced by the classification of the SDZ lands as a Major Urban Housing Development Site (MUHDS), and also the allocation of funding in 2017, to the SDZ lands under the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF). Furthermore, it is noted that the site is identified as a strategic residential development site in ‘Planning and Development of Large-Scale, Rail Focused Residential Areas in Dublin Region’ (NTA, 2013). The Draft Planning Scheme is also consistent with current guidance, strategies and policies at national, regional and local level. This includes Rebuilding Ireland which sets ambitious national targets for the provision of new housing in Ireland in the period to 2021.

Having regard to the above, the previous adopted Planning Scheme and Local Area Plan on the lands, the intervening economic, social and environmental context, and the overarching and strategic outlook for the growth of South Dublin County, the Council has responded by preparing a Draft Planning Scheme that takes account of these factors and responds to the requirements of the 2015 Government Order.

In summary, a motion not to adopt the Draft Planning Scheme (for the reasons submitted in the motion) would be unacceptable for the following reasons:

• The motion would be contrary to the requirements of the SDZ Order (S.I. No. 604 of 2015) for the subject lands which are deemed to be of economic and social importance to the State;
• The motion would be contrary to the Government’s commitment to the development of the SDZ lands by way of its designation as a Major Urban Housing Development Site (MUHDS) and the allocation of funding in 2017, to the SDZ lands under the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF);
• The motion would severely undermine the role of South Dublin County in addressing the demand for additional residential development in Ireland, as outlined by the Government in ‘Rebuilding Ireland’;
• The motion would be contrary to a range of national and regional policy and guidance including ‘Planning and Development of Large-Scale, Rail Focused Residential Areas in Dublin Region’ (NTA, 2013);
• The motion would be contrary to the zoning and policy objectives of the South Dublin County Council Development Plan 2016-2022;
• The motion would directly conflict with the corporate mission of South Dublin Council Council which is ‘to make our County the best possible place in which to live, work and do business’, as stated in the Corporate Plan 2015-2019; and
• Having regard to national policy in relation to supporting residential development on appropriately zoned lands, it is considered that the Adamstown and Clonburris Planning Schemes should not be staggered or limited based on each other.

Recommendation

It is recommended that this motion is not adopted.

Strategic Environmental Assessment of Chief Executive’s Recommendation

No interaction with Strategic Environmental Objectives.

Strategic Environmental Assessment of Proposed Motion

For the reasons cited above, particularly the stated objective of the scheme through statutory provisions, and having regard to national policy in relation to supporting residential development on appropriately zoned lands, as well as the iterative process through SEA that informed the plan preparation, it is not recommended that 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.