COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN MEETING
Thursday, June 17, 2021
MOTION NO.
MOTION: Councillor Shane Moynihan
Chapter 8. 8.5 To make provision for an expanded community centre for the Ballyowen area of Lucan (east of the R136)
REPORT:
This motion is proposing to make provision to extend the community centre in the Ballyowen area of Lucan.
The Planning Department has consulted with the Community Department and it has been indicated that it is not physically possible to extend the current site of Ballyowen Community centre as it is in a shared property with no space for expansion. There is no objection in principle if the need exists in a wider context of meeting the overall population:community centre ratio. There is an existing community centre in Ballyowen as well as neighbourhood centres in Earlsfort and Griffeen. Planning permission has also been approved for a community centre at Balgaddy and funding has been made available for this new community centre in the SDCC Capital Programme 2021-2023.
It is considered that site availability for any new facility that might be required would be a challenge.
It is also noted that the Lucan Leisure complex comprising the existing Lucan Leisure Centre and the soon to be completed Lucan Swimming Pool is in proximity to the Ballyowen area.
Provisions, policies and objectives pertaining to the provision of community facilities to meet needs of existing and growing populations are set out under Chapter 8, Section 8.4 Social/Community Infrastructure of the CE Draft Plan including the following:
COS 3 Objective 5: To support and facilitate the development of a Community Centre Strategy to include the assessment of existing community floorspace/facilities within the County, to identify gaps in provision and to ensure new community centres are provided in existing and new development areas having regard to the Social Infrastructure Audit carried out for the Development Plan.
Policy COS 2 Social/Community Infrastructure- Support the planned provision of a range of universally accessible and well-connected social, community, cultural and recreational facilities, close to the communities they serve, in accordance with RPO 9.14 of the RSES. (See also Chapter 5, Quality Design and Healthy Placemaking)
COS 2 Objective 1 - To support the provision of a wide range of community facilities and to ensure that such facilities are provided in new communities in tandem with housing development, and in accordance with the phasing requirements of Local Area Plans and Planning Schemes.
COS 2 Objective 2 - To promote the timely provision of primary care centres, childcare facilities, schools, community centres and public open space according to the standards set out in section 8.4.1 of this Plan.
COS 2 Objective 3 - To protect and enhance existing community facilities, and to support the development and expansion of new and existing facilities and services, in proximity to the populations they serve, where their need is identified.
It is noted that there are a number of motions looking for similar objectives for new or expanded facilities but relating to different areas. It is not considered that the Development Plan needs to, or that it is appropriate to, list areas individually given the county-wide purpose of the objectives listed above.
Recommendation
It is recommended that this motion is adopted with amendment to reflect that the existing objectives COS 3 Objective 5 and COS 2 Objectives 1-3 as currently set out in the CE Draft Plan and are sufficient to provide for the intent of the motion:
COS 3 Objective 5: To support and facilitate the development of a Community Centre Strategy to include the assessment of existing community floorspace/facilities within the County, to identify gaps in provision and to ensure new community centres are provided in existing and new development areas having regard to the Social Infrastructure Audit carried out for the Development Plan.
Policy COS 2 Social/Community Infrastructure:
Support the planned provision of a range of universally accessible and well-connected social, community, cultural and recreational facilities, close to the communities they serve, in accordance with RPO 9.14 of the RSES. (See also Chapter 5, Quality Design and Healthy Placemaking)
COS 2 Objective 1 - To support the provision of a wide range of community facilities and to ensure that such facilities are provided in new communities in tandem with housing development, and in accordance with the phasing requirements of Local Area Plans and Planning Schemes.
COS 2 Objective 2 - To promote the timely provision of primary care centres, childcare facilities, schools, community centres and public open space according to the standards set out in section 8.4.1 of this Plan.
COS 2 Objective 3 - To protect and enhance existing community facilities, and to support the development and expansion of new and existing facilities and services, in proximity to the populations they serve, where their need is identified.