COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, February 19, 2020

QUESTION NO. 13

QUESTION: Councillor Eoin Ó Broin

"Given the experience in Clondalkin with a wooden boardwalk, which seems to have been the incorrect material for the humid Irish climate, and, the current condition of balcony floors in the Áras na Cluaine apartment block in Clondalkin, that appear to have been constructed with the same type of wood as the boardwalk, and are quite slippery and dangerous in humid conditions (see attached photos from one top floor balcony there), is it appropriate for planning permission to be granted for new boardwalks or balconies that use the same type of wooden decking style flooring?"

REPLY:

The type of wooden decking flooring used in balconies is an issue for compliance with the Building Regulations and is generally outside planning legislation. 

The Sustainable Urban Housing: Design Standards ofr New Apartments (2018) focus on the locational and planning specific aspects to apartment developments generally. The Building Regulations set performance requirements for our built environment, including apartments. Technical Guidance Documents (TGDs) provide guidance on how to meet these requirements. The Building Regulations and associated TGDs can be downloaded from the Department’s website (www.housing.gov.ie). The concerns in relation to the slippery nature of the boardwalk/balconies and the absence of maintenance is noted.