COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN MEETING

Thursday, June 17, 2021

MOTION NO.

MOTION: Councillor Alan Edge

Delete EDE19 Objective 3

REPORT:

EDE19 Objective 3 states:

To support the development of the Dublin Mountains Visitor Centre at Hell Fire and Massy’s Wood in accordance with permission granted by An Bord Pleanala in June 2020 or any amending permissions.

The Dublin Mountains Visitor Centre was and still is a key recommendation of the Council’s Tourism Strategy when it was adopted in 2015.

The planned Dublin Mountains Visitor Centre is a joint development by South Dublin County Council, Coillte and the Dublin Mountains Partnership to create a new ‘gateway’ to the Dublin Mountains located at the combined Massy’s Wood /Estate and Montpelier Hill incorporating the legendary Hell Fire Club site. The centre will be constructed from natural materials and integrated into the landscape setting with extensive panoramic views of Dublin City.

A visitor centre will comprise an interpretative exhibition and educational facility as well as a café and shop, a rambler’s lounge and toilets. There will be enhanced access to the site with increased car parking and public transport, road improvements and the construction of a new footpath to the site. The proposal will also deliver improved walks and trails for people of all ages and abilities incorporating an iconic tree-top bridge from Montpelier Hill into Massy’s Wood.

The proposal provides for the enhancement of the mountain landscape around the visitor centre by replacing large areas of commercial coniferous forest on the eastern slopes of Montpelier Hill with broad-leaved woodland and predominantly trees of indigenous native species.

Planning permission has been granted for this centre and it remains an objective of Council to deliver this significant facility and is considered of strategic significance.

Recommendation

It is recommended that the motion is not adopted.