COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SDZ, LAPS AND PLANNING PROJECTS

Friday, January 26, 2018

MOTION NO. 327

MOTION: Councillor G. O'Connell

Section 2.7.2. Provision for a large community space at both the Kishogue and Clonburris Centres, together with a swimming pool at one of them shall be embedded in the plans for these centres to be delivered at (Phase 1b) together with smaller, local community buildings, at other strategic locations and as every 500 residential units are operational.

Councillors Guss O’Connell, Liona O’Toole, Francis Timmons and Paul Gogarty.

REPORT:

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

This hub is located in the Urban Centre 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:

• A minimum of 7,300 sqm across the SDZ lands including:
• A minimum of 2,500 sqm Urban Hub at Clonburris (Similar scale to Rua Red)
• Four Park Hubs with changing rooms, meeting rooms etc. adjacent to the parks (minimum of 600 sqm)
• A District level recreation facility at Barony Park South with a sports hall, meeting rooms, changing rooms etc. with a minimum of 1,500sqm (similar to Adamstown Sports Hall or Park Community Centre)

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.

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 motion includes for a swimming pool in one of the Urban Hubs. Recreational facilities are permitted in principle in the Urban Hubs under Section 2.1.2 and as such, proposals for a swimming pool are supported by the Draft Planning Scheme in these area, subject to compliance with other requirements of the Draft Planning Scheme.

In terms of the public provision of a swimming pool, it is considered that in general, at a County level, swimming pools are provided for at a regional catchment.

The County Development Plan 2016-2022 supports district level community hubs in the Metropolitan Consolidation Towns of Tallaght, Lucan and Clondalkin. Additionally, the County Development Plan supports the delivery of a sports facility, including a third public swimming pool in the County, in Lucan. The delivery of the Lucan swimming pool is progressing from the planning stage to construction. In planning terms, Clonburris forms part of the Metropolitan Consolidation Towns of Clondalkin which has a swimming pool at Clondalkin Leisure Centre and is proximate to the new swimming pool at Griffeen.

As such, the provision of a swimming pool at Clonburris is not supported by a demonstrated need or the County Development Plan.

Recommendation

It is recommended 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.