COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN MEETING

Thursday, June 17, 2021

MOTION NO.

MOTION: Councillor F. Timmons

That SDCC adopt an SLO in our County Development Plan that shop fronts and other business premises (including commercial and industrial premises) in Clondalkin ACA be of wood, be properly maintained by the business owners, and be of a limited number of sympathetic designs; the same to be applied to over-the-door shop signs; that SDCC ask Clondalkin History Society for their input when drawing up the limited number of sympathetic designs and SDCC to take into account such input.

REPORT:

The Draft County Development Plan sets out policies, objectives and provisions in relation to development works within an Architectural Conservation Area in Chapter 3, Section 3.5.3 and Chapter 13, Section 13.2.7.  There also provisions relating to shopfront design and treatment in Chapter 3, Chapter 5 and Chapter 13.

In Chapter 3, NCBH 20 Objective 7 states:

“NCBH 20 Objective 7: To ensure proposals for shopfronts and retail signage within ACAs adhere to best practice and achieve high quality designs which respect the character of the area. In this regard, applicants shall have regard to South Dublin’s Shopfront Design Guide.”

The existing South Dublin County Council Shopfront Design Guidelines set out detailed guidance and principles in relation to shopfront design and use of materials including provisions specifically relating to Architectural Conservation Areas such as Clondalkin

In addition, at a procedural level, planning applications for development within an ACA are referred to the Architectural Conservation Officer for comment and recommendation.

Furthermore, in relation to the request that the palette of materials for signage to be constructed of wood only, it is noted that the Architectural Heritage Protection Guidelines for Planning Authorities states:

(Section 12.1.1)

“There are now few shopfronts in Ireland remaining from the eighteenth century but many, mostly of timber construction, survive from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. There are examples throughout the country of fine early twentieth-century shopfronts constructed in render and also a number of increasingly rare mid twentieth-century Art Deco or Modern Movement style chrome, steel, marble and glass-panelled frontages.”

While the South Dublin Shop Front Design Guide sets out the following under section Section 3.2 Shopfront Materials

“The traditional shopfront generally comprises wood and plaster. Contemporary shopfront materials of, for example, stone, stainless steel and aluminium may be considered appropriate subject to their context and detailed design. Impact of contemporary designs on the South Dublin County ACA will be carefully considered.”

It is considered that the County Development Plan policies and objectives would be sufficient in preserving and enhancing the historic character and visual setting of Architectural Conservation Areas including Clondalkin Village ACA and its shopfronts.

Recommendation

It is recommended that this motion is not adopted.