COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN MEETING
Thursday, June 17, 2021
MOTION NO.
MOTION: Councillor G. O'Connell, Councillor P. Gogarty, Councillor L. O'Toole
It shall be an objective of the County Development Plan 2022 - 2028 to restore the former Harris Farmhouse at Waterstown Park at Palmerstown and to open it as a Liffey Valley Museum, CoffeeTourist Centre, Shop and Interpretive Centre
REPORT:
The County Development is a strategic county wide document, in relation to tourism the role of the County Development Plan is to promote and facilitate the sustainable growth of South Dublin’s tourism offer across the County at a strategic level. The importance of tourism infrastructure, the hospitality industry and the very significant tourist attractions in the county are a source of pride to the local authority and those who live and work in the county. In this regard he following provisions of the CE Draft Plan are noted.
EDE19 Support the development of a sustainable tourism industry that recognises the recreational and
tourism potential of the County, building on the actions in the South Dublin Tourism Strategy, 2015or any superseding strategy.
EDE19 Objective 1: To support the development of tourism infrastructure, attractions, activities and
facilities at appropriate locations subject to sensitive design and demonstrated environmental safeguards.
It is noted that at this time there is no certainty that such as facility is viable or feasible at that location. In addition there is no information on whether the building is suitable for such use or can be re-purposed to it. The existing building is mostly the external shell of a former farmhouse and is maintained by public realm at present as a feature within the park. It is not a listed building or a protected structure.The requirement for the proposed facilities should be examined under the following Objective and in accordance with the South Dublin County Tourism Strategy
It is considered that this objective is overly prescriptive and premature.
Recommendation
It is recommended that the motion is adopted with amendment to reflect that the intent of the motion is sufficiently contained within Policy EDE19 and EDE19 Objective 1.