COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN MEETING

Wednesday, January 27, 2021

MOTION NO. 138

MOTION: Councillor G. O'Connell, Councillor P. Gogarty, Councillor L. O'Toole

 That the Chief Executive, as a strategic objective, ensures that all new school builds must have full size playing pitches adjacent and that the Council will look at the option of taking ownership and managing same in a partnership arrangement to facilitate community access and maximum use.

REPORT:

The South Dublin County Development Plan 2022-2028 will include policies and objectives relating to the reservation of sites for primary and post-primary school facilities at suitable locations within the County in accordance with the requirements of the Department of Education and Science. Detailed requirements in relation to school facilities and associated sporting facilities are a matter for the Department of Education and Science.

While the motion is overly detailed for this stage of the Plan, the concept of providing playing pitches adjacent or within school grounds and managing them in a partnership arrangement is generally supported. However, in some instances it is recognised that certain sites may not be able to accommodate the provision of such facilities. This support is reflected in the CE Recommendation:

‘Continue to work with the Department of Education on all matters relating to the identification of suitable sites and the Department’s delivery of new and extended schools and supporting facilities within the County’

Recommendation:  

It is recommended that this motion is adopted with amendment to recognise that this type of policy provision or objective is overly detailed for this strategic stage but could be considered as part of the draft plan preparation on foot of the strategic direction provided under the CE Recommendation:

‘Continue to work with the Department of Education on all matters relating to the identification of suitable sites and the Department’s delivery of new and extended schools and supporting facilities within the County’