COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SDZ, LAPS AND PLANNING PROJECTS

Friday, January 26, 2018

MOTION NO. 60

MOTION: Councillor E. O'Brien

Any development adjoining or opposite to or immediate visible to an existing private residential development shall not have a build density any greater than the density of the said existing residential development

REPORT:

Notwithstanding the imprecise nature of the proposed motion, its interpretation could significantly undermine the residential density strategy of the Draft Planning Scheme in a manner that would render it inconsistent with the requirements of the Regional Planning Guidelines, statutory residential guidelines and the SDZ Order for the subject lands.

The densities prescribed under the Draft Planning Scheme responds to the designation of Clonburris within a Metropolitan Consolidation Town under the Regional Planning Guidelines for the Greater Dublin Area 2004-2016 (RPGs, 2004) and the positioning of the SDZ lands along a strategic public transport corridor. It is within this context that the SDZ Order (December 2015) for the subject lands requires the development of a comprehensive scheme that makes efficient use of public investment in infrastructural facilities, including public transport. Prescribed densities are also similar to those in the Adamstown SDZ Planning Scheme (2015). It is also advised that the proposed densities are lower when compared to the Clonburris SDZ Planning Scheme and Local Area Plan (2008).

Within the context of the above, the densities prescribed under the Draft Planning Scheme are framed by the Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas (2009). This includes the promotion of higher densities particularly within walking distance of both railway stations located within the SDZ lands.

There are approximately 10 sub sectors designated under the Draft Planning Scheme adjacent to existing residential areas. Furthermore, in the context of the relatively flat topography of the SDZ lands, large tracts of the SDZ lands are visible from existing private housing including areas around both railway stations.

Notwithstanding the imprecise nature of the proposed motion, this would significantly undermine the density strategy of the SDZ lands, the promotion of a varied dwelling mix and would lead to an inefficient use of the SDZ lands to an extent that it would no longer be consistent with the SDZ Order of the Planning Scheme or the density requirements of the Guidelines on Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas (2009). The restriction of densities adjacent to private housing is also considered to be prejudicial.

Recommendation

It is recommended that this 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.