COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE

Monday, May 25, 2020

MOTION NO. 10

MOTION: Councillor K. Mahon

"Given the current disregard for the Fortunestown Local Area Plan by Developer led Strategic Housing Developments this Area Committee calls on the council to outline its intentions regarding the provision of key infrastructure in the City West area such as public parks, football pitches with relevant facilities,  and a community centre."

REPORT:

Motion Response

The Fortunestown Local Area Plan was adopted in May 2012 as a 6-year plan, due to expire in May 2018. It was extended by Elected Members in June 2017 for an additional 4 years and will now remain active until June 2022. Planning applications which include residential developments submitted within the Local Area Plan lands are assessed against the LAP and are required to comply with the policies and objectives as set out in the plan. These policies and objectives include private and public open space provision, community facilities, mix of uses, road access and linkages and walking and cycling routes.

The Council is aware of the concerns raised by local residents and by Elected Members with regards to SHD’s within the Fortunestown LAP and the provision of key community infrastructure. As a result, the delivery of community and local infrastructure within the LAP lands and in tandem with housing units is being closely monitored, to ensure the proper planning and sustainable development of the area. The monitoring of the Fortunestown LAP is being undertaken through a number of mechanisms including the recording of housing units and associated community facilities which are at pre-planning stage, granted planning permission, under construction and completed. The purpose of this is to ensure that community facilities are being approved and delivered in tandem with housing units and that the requirements of the LAP are met in terms of community floorspace, creche facilities and open space requirements. An additional measure to monitor the Fortunestown LAP has been implemented recently whereby large-scale residential planning applications (SHD’s) are being referred for review and comment to the Planning Delivery Team and the Community Section to ensure that necessary infrastructure is being provided either as part of the scheme itself or elsewhere within the LAP lands.

While it is acknowledged that strategic housing development (SHD) applications, including those within the Fortunestown LAP, are ultimately considered by an Bord Pleanála, the planning authority, nonetheless has a key role in the process, which includes participation in formal pre-planning consultations and the submission of a Chief Executive’s (CE) report on a proposal to an Bord Pleanala. In such reports, the Council outlines the requirements of the Fortunestown LAP, assesses the proposal in terms of compliance with the LAP and provides a recommendation to An Bord Pleanala.

 

Community Centre

SDCC are currently in discussions with a Landowner in the Fortunestown area regarding the provision of a large community centre on a well-located site, within close proximity to the Luas and other complimentary uses. The proposed community centre will have a floor area of approximately 450 sq. m (minimum). A decision regarding details, specification and management of the community centre is currently in pending however progress has been delayed due to COVID19 and associated working arrangements and restrictions. It is anticipated that SDCC will be in a position to visit the site and agree the next stages for development with the landowner in the coming weeks and when working restrictions, including site inspections, are partially lifted.

Notwithstanding this, it is highlighted that community floorspace is currently being provided in tandem with housing developments on a pro rata basis and 2,617 sq. m of community floor space has been permitted to date across the LAP lands in a range of unit sizes and forms. This includes 7 no. creches and 6 no. community centres. 1,394 sq. m of community floorspace is located on sites that are under construction as part of housing developments.

	LAP Requirement	Permitted	Under Construction	Delivered
HOUSING	3,300	3,031	633	781
COMMUNITY FACILITIES	780 sq. m	2,617 sq. m (7 x creche and 6 x community facility)	1,394 sq. m	N/A

Parks

A District Park to the rear (south-west) of Citywest Shopping Centre with outdoor play and recreational facilities is required by the LAP and has been completed and is fully operational. Upgrades to Carrigmore Green have also been completed as part of residential planning applications. A District Park and playing pitches at Saggart-Cooldown Commons Neighbourhood is granted as part of SHD3ABP-300555-18 and construction of the dwellings as part of these permissions has commenced.

Roads / Infrastructure

In relation to infrastructure, the Fortunestown LAP includes phasing requirements for open space improvements, new open space/parks, provision of primary schools, junction upgrades, new roads and streets, post primary schools and community floorspace. Each planning application for residential development is assessed with regard to the phasing requirements of the LAP to ensure that housing delivery is integrated with delivery of community facilities and public amenities as outlined. To date, the delivery of the phasing requirements is largely integrated into residential planning applications, in particular the construction of junction upgrades and roads. The east-west vehicular route through the Plan Lands is being upgraded through the construction of a new section of Citywest Avenue across the Plan Lands between Fortunestown Lane and Citywest Road. This road extension is currently under construction and will further enhance permeability in the area.

While it is acknowledged by the Council that permitted unit numbers within the LAP lands have exceeded what was set out by the Local Area Plan, when adopted, the Council are working closely with developers in the area to ensure that necessary high quality community infrastructure and amenities are provided in tandem with housing developments, in order to meet the current and future population needs. The Council will continue to monitor the delivery of the required infrastructure within the Fortunestown LAP to ensure the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.