COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN MEETING

Thursday, June 17, 2021

MOTION NO.

MOTION: Councillor T. Costello

The old bridge way in Sean Walsh Park needs to be retained as a parkland feature, with relevant signage

REPORT:

The motion as proposed is that the old bridge way in Sean Walsh Park needs to be retained as a parkland feature, with relevant signage.

The Planning Department consulted with the Housing Department on this motion.It was clarified that the old bridge is not in Sean Walsh Park.  It was located where the depot was on Whitestown Way.  Part 8 Planning to develop 81 residential units at this location was approved by the Members in 2018.   A Section 183 to dispose of the depot site to Clúid Housing was approved by the Members in 2019.

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 on the List of record of Protected Structures, nor recorded on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage of South County Dublin or in the National Monuments Service, Sites and Monument Record.  The Old Bridge was never 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 the structure 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.”

Clúid Housing has confirmed that the bridge material is being properly and securely stored 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 and that 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.

On this basis it is considered that this motion is being dealt with outside the scope of the strategic land use function of the County Development Plan process. 

Recommendation

It is recommended that this motion is not adopted.