COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF LAND USE PLANNING AND TRANSPORTATION SPC
Thursday, February 15, 2018
HEADED ITEM NO. 3
Variation to Development Plan
1. Grange Castle West
2. Vacant Sites Levy
Proposed Variation No. 1 of the South Dublin County Council County Development Plan 2016-2022 seeks to change the land use zoning objective of lands at Grangecastle West from Objective RU (Rural) to Objective EE (Enterprise and Employment).
The proposed amendments to the land use zoning objective would also result in the realignment of the indicative route for the Western Dublin Orbital Route (North).
Background
It is the policy of the Council to facilitate and support the growth of the economy of South Dublin County and the Greater Dublin Area in a sustainable manner, whilst maintaining and improving environmental quality.
Having regard to the general positive economic context, it is likely that the significant and sustained uptake of employment lands within South Dublin County will continue into the short to medium term and that further lands are required so as to ensure that there is sufficient large-scale serviced lands available to accommodate existing and new companies within South Dublin County.
A review of the existing ‘EE’ employment lands within South Dublin County demonstrated a lack of availability of serviced employment zoned lands with good transport links capable of accommodating significant projects of scale. A number of the well-established business parks within the County are nearing capacity, with limited availability for expansion or the addition of new operators.
The lands subject to this proposed variation would provide for an additional one hundred and ninety three (193) hectares of Enterprise and Employment lands in the County. The area lies adjacent to and would constitute an extension of the existing EE objective zoning which serves ‘to provide for enterprise and employment related uses’. The zoning would benefit from the long term road proposals, which bisect the site to the north and the east, joining the junction immediately south of the existing Grange Castle Business Park. This will result in improved accessibility and connectivity with the surrounding area.
The subject lands will maximise the value of existing and planned infrastructural investment, such as roads, energy, water, public transport and broadband in the area, making it a highly attractive location within the County for new enterprise and employment zoned lands.
Specific Local Objective ET3 SLO1 of the South Dublin County Development Plan 2016-2022 states the following:
To conduct a review of the zoning of lands south of the Grand Canal and west and north of the R120, including lands adjoining Peamount Healthcare, with a view to preparing a long term plan for the expansion of the Grange Castle Economic and Enterprise Zone to this area, to accommodate strategic investment in the future, while also seeking to provide public open space along the Canal, including a natural heritage area in the vicinity of the historic canal quarries at Gollierstown.
Subject to the proposed variation and in accordance with ET3 SLO1, a long term masterplan for the area will be prepared, which will provide a detailed framework for future development and will also seek to maximise the amenity and biodiversity value of the Grand Canal.
Proposed amendments to the Development Plan have been drafted on this basis and it is proposed that these would form Variation No 1 to the Development Plan.
Proposed Changes
In summary, there are two main elements to this proposed variation:
- Change of the Zoning Objective from RU (Rural) to EE (Enterprise and Employment) of 193 hectares of lands at Grangecastle West
Rationale: Following a review of the capacity of existing employment lands within the County in line with Specific Local Objective ET3 SLO1, it was considered appropriate to change the land use zoning at Grangecastle West to Objective EE to provide for the sustainable expansion of enterprise and employment development on this strategic land bank which will maximise the existing and planned infrastructure in the area.
2. Realignment of the indicative route of the Western Orbital Route (North)
Rationale: As a result of the proposed change of zoning objective, the enterprise and employment lands would extend further to the west. Therefore the proposed route of the Western Orbital Route (North) has been realigned and moved further west to reflect the location of the extended EE lands
Public Display
The Proposed Variation No. 1 along with accompanying environmental reports will be on public display from Friday 16th February 2018 to Friday 16th March 2018 (both dates inclusive).
Documentation can be viewed during normal opening hours at County Hall Tallaght, the Civic Offices Clondalkin and in County Library, Tallaght and all Local Branch Libraries during normal opening hours for each library (excluding Bank Holidays).
The documents may also be viewed on South Dublin County Council’s website at www.sdcc.ie.
Submissions or observations
Online at https://consult.sdublincoco.ie/ up to 12.00 midnight on 16 March 2018.
OR
By Post: Senior Executive Officer, Forward Planning Section, Land Use, Planning and Transportation Department, South Dublin County Council, County Hall, Tallaght, Dublin 24 no later than 4.00pm 16 March 2018.