COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SDZ, LAPS AND PLANNING PROJECTS

Thursday, January 23, 2020

MOTION NO. 31

MOTION: Councillor M. Duff

This Council call on the Manager to remove the new height band for The Centre, and retain the heights set out in the Draft Tallaght Town Centre LAP, as the 4 to 6 story heights already sit higher than the adjoining landmark buildings, due to the elevated nature of the area. 

REPORT:

In relation to the proposed new height band for the Centre area the following recommended Chief Executive amendments are relevant:

• Include new height band for The Centre of 7-8 storeys (+1 recessed) residential, 6-7 storeys (+1 recessed) non-residential (No. 3 page 36).
• Include new height band for The Centre of 7-8 storeys (+1 recessed) residential, 6-7 storeys (+1 recessed) non-residential and apply to areas recognised for increased heights in the core of the town centre proximate to the Luas Terminus and The Square Shopping Centre (No. 2 page 45).

The proposed new height band is a single storey increase on the current highest band of 6-7 storeys (+1 recessed) in the Draft LAP.

For clarity, and as referenced in the second point above, this new height band would only apply to the core of the town centre proximate to the Luas Terminus, proposed Transport Interchange and The Square Shopping Centre, e.g. the western side of the Square taken up by surface car parking and characterised by existing taller buildings of typically 8-10 storeys and up to 13 storeys opposite.

The new height band reflects the reality of typical heights in this area, would provide the potential for new development to achieve up to the existing heights in the area, subject to the criteria set out in the LAP, and, furthermore, would define this central location as the appropriate location for taller buildings in the LAP, in accordance with the requirements of the ‘Urban Development and Building Heights: Guidelines for Planning Authorities’ 2018 to “explicitly identify, through their statutory plans, areas where increased building height will be actively pursued.”

In addition, the establishment of this new height band will support the delivery of higher density development that accords with the surrounding heights in the area, at a location directly adjacent to the Luas Terminus and the newly proposed Transport Hub, which is in line with national policy.

RECOMMENDATION:

It is recommended that this motion is not adopted.