COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN MEETING

Thursday, June 17, 2021

MOTION NO.

MOTION: Councillor Carly Bailey

To amend: SM2 Objective 4: To ensure that connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists is maximised and walking and cycling distances are reduced in existing built-up areas, by removing barriers (such as kissing gates and providing alternatives to deter scrambler bikes) to movement and providing active travel facilities in order to increase access to local shops, schools, public transport services and other amenities.

REPORT:

The motion seeks to amend SM2 Objective 4 by inserting the text ‘such as kissing gates and providing alternatives to deter scrambler bikes’ so that it reads as follows:

 

‘To ensure that connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists is maximised and walking and cycling distances are reduced in existing built-up areas, by removing barriers such as kissing gates and providing alternatives to deter scrambler bikes to movement and providing active travel facilities in order to increase access to local shops, schools, public transport services and other amenities’.

It is noted that SM2 Objective 4 as it stands is about overall permeability.  The motion seeks to introduce a specific reference to the issue of kissing gates and alternatives to deter scrambler bikes.  These matters are more relevant to access to parks specifically than to general permeability.  They are also operational issues which relate to the management of parks and would be more appropriately dealt with as part of the Public Open Space Strategy which is currently being prepared by the Public Realm section.  An initial public survey has been completed as part of the strategy and approximately 2,500 submissions have been received.  A Draft Parks and Open Space Strategy will go to public consultation later in the year.

The CE Draft Plan contains the objective COS 5 Objective 2 within Chapter 8 ‘Community Infrastructure and Open Space’ to support the Parks and Open Space Strategy, as follows:

‘To support the implementation of South Dublin County Parks and Open Space Strategy and to ensure that the provision, upgrade, design, and maintenance of public open space is in accordance with the Strategy’.

It is considered that this objective satisfies the intent of the motion, to the extent that the issues raised in the motion will be dealt with by the Parks and Open Spaces Strategy which is supported by an objective of the County Development Plan.

RECOMMENDATION:  

It is recommended that the motion is adopted with amendments to recognise that the issues raised in the motion will be dealt with by the Parks and Open Spaces Strategy which is supported by COS 5 Objective 2 of the County Development Plan which states:

‘To support the implementation of South Dublin County Parks and Open Space Strategy and to ensure that the provision, upgrade, design, and maintenance of public open space is in accordance with the Strategy’.