COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SDZ, LAPS AND PLANNING PROJECTS

Friday, January 26, 2018

MOTION NO. 282

MOTION: Councillor B. Bonner

This council agrees that building heights and densities along the boundaries of the SDZ lands would reflect that of existing housing.  This would avoid overlooking and is of particular concern to residents in Ashwood and Cappaghmore where the existing two story character of the estates should not be exceeded in contiguous buildings.

REPORT:

The Draft Planning Scheme is cognisant of existing established residential area and requires new development to respect the surrounding context.

Section 2.8.6 of the Draft Planning Scheme relates to Building Heights and Street Widths and states that to ensure that building heights respect the surrounding context, new developments immediately adjoining existing one and two storey housing shall incorporate a gradual change in building height with no significant marked increase in close proximity to existing low-rise housing.

The Chief Executives Report refers to Section 2.8.6 and clarifies that the building height in the Canal Extension Area- Ashwood (Table 3.3.12) is 2-4 storey.

The densities prescribed in the Draft Planning Scheme are framed by the Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas (2009), the Regional Planning Guidelines for the Greater Dublin Area 2004-2016 (RPGs, 2004) and the SDZ Order for Clonburris. This includes the promotion of higher densities particularly within walking distance of both railway stations located within the SDZ lands.

The prescribed densities in the Draft Planning Scheme also respond to the designation of Clonburris within a Metropolitan Consolidation Town under the RPGs, the positioning of the SDZ lands along a strategic public transport corridor and the designation of Clonburris as a Level 3 District Centre under the Retail Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2008 – 2016, in terms of ability to sustain residential development.

It is therefore accepted that the Planning Scheme could be amended to clarify that new residential development that adjoins (backs or sides onto) existing one or two storey housing shall be between 2 and 3 storeys in height.

Recommendation

It is recommended that this motion is adopted with amendment as follows:

Include the following text under Section 2.8.6 (general):

To ensure that building heights respect the surrounding context, new developments immediately adjoining (backs onto or sides onto) existing one and two storey housing shall be between 2 and 3 storeys in height and shall incorporate a gradual change in building height with no significant marked increase in close proximity to existing low-rise housing.

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.