COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE

Monday, June 28, 2021

QUESTION NO. 18

QUESTION: Councillor C. O'Connor

To ask the CEO to present a full report on all matters relating to the Bridge at the Weir Housing Development at Whitestown; will he give assurances in respect of the plans to include the Bridge and the Archway in the final design of the development; will he appreciate and acknowledge the interest and concerns of the members of the Tallaght Area Committee and will he make a detailed statement

REPLY:

During the Part 8 process for the construction of 81 older persons homes at Whitestown Way, the existing bridge structure on site was confirmed as not being a protected structure, on the NIAH of South County Dublin (2002) nor ever identified or recommended for inclusion on the Record of Protected Structures (RPS) during previous or current County Development Plans.  However, recognising the considerable local interest in the bridge structure, commitments were made to incorporate it into the development to address concerns that a feature of local interest and value would otherwise have been removed to facilitate the construction works and access routes for the new development.

The Chief Executive’s report on the Part 8 stated the following: “A short section of stone wall and arch is all that remains on site.  There is no historical watercourse remaining nor evidence of its original route. The remaining structure is not recorded in the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage or in the National Monuments Service Sites and Monument Record. It is also not listed in the SDCC Record of Protected Structures. Notwithstanding this, the structure will be incorporated into site works in the proposed housing development.”

While the Council were cognisant of the need to remove, conserve and reinstate the structure as part of the construction programme on this basis, unfortunately we were not in a position to advise local Elected Members of the specific time the works would take place as advance notice was not given to us on the timing of the works. . Given the age of the structure it was agreed to dismantle and remove off site for safe keeping.

Clúid Housing has confirmed that the bridge material is being properly and securely stored on the contractor’s private compound off site with notification/warning signage in place until such time as the bridge will be reinstated as a feature on the site prior to completion in line with representations from the Council on this matter. 

While it is intended to reinstate the bridge and adjacent wall materials in the landscaping design of the finished scheme and is proposed to be sensitive to the nature and character of the bridge, in light of the representations received, Clúid Housing will consult with the Council and local community representatives on the specific details of the proposed reinstatement (precise location, design, process and personnel involved) which is scheduled to take place early in 2023.