COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

MOTION NO. 5

MOTION: Councillor E. Higgins

"That this Area Committee agrees not to re-open the entrance to Rathcoole Park at Springbank Estate. (Tallaght Area Committee Meeting September 24th 2018). There are two entrances to Rathcoole Park within a short distance of Springbank Estate – gate at Fitzmaurice Road and footbridge in Millrace."

REPORT:

The proposal to construct a new entrance to Rathcoole Park from Springbank Estate was discussed on a number of occasions by the Tallaght Area Committee of this Council in 2017 and 2018.  Local residents were consulted on the matter in February/March of 2018.  In summary 19 of the 40 households in Springbank returned a survey questionnaire on the matter with 10 of the 19 indicating their support for the entrance being developed and 9 against it.  Of the 10 houses (numbers 31 to 40) which are in close proximity to the proposed entrance location, 8 of these were against the proposal, 1 in favour and 1 did not return a questionnaire.  Those who are against the proposal have cited anti-social behaviour and public safety as their reasons for opposing it. As opinion among the local Tallaght Councillors was divided a vote was taken on the matter at the meeting of the ACM on 24 September 2018, the outcome of the vote was in favour of the project proceeding.

Following the vote of 24 September 2018 the proposal was examined in further detail and it was established that a formal application to the OPW for the construction of a new crossing of the Camac River is required and this requires approval before the project can proceed.  This will involve the completion of an assessment of the river catchment area by a specialist consultant to be appointed by the Council.  The River catchment assessment and application to the OPW have not been undertaken to date.