COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN MEETING

Thursday, June 17, 2021

MOTION NO.

MOTION: Councillor Alan Edge

Table 13.12 zoning HA-DM: under Open for Consideration amend 'Recreational facility', by adding footnote (h) 'for small-scale amenity or recreational purposes only'

REPORT:

The motion seeks to add the footnote (h) 'for small-scale amenity or recreational purposes only' to the use class 'Recreational Facility' within the zoning table for the HA-DM zone (High Amenity – Dublin Mountains).  

It is considered that the action proposed by the motion may result in unintended consequences.  There are examples of recreational activities within the Dublin Mountains area (some within the jurisdiction of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council) including a ziplining facility on Tibradden mountain and mountain bike trails at Ticknock.  These could not be classified as ‘small-scale’ recreational facilities, and as such, would not be permissible if the caveat proposed by the motion was applied. 

Yet these recreational facilities are arguably very appropriate in mature forested mountain locations.  At the moment, ‘Recreational Facilities’ have the footnote (j) ‘Directly linked to the heritage and amenity value of the Dublin Mountains’.   This caveat is considered to be appropriate and adequate.  There are also many policies and objectives within the Development Plan applying to areas such as the Dublin Mountains addressing the protection and enhancement of the visual, biodiversity, landscape and natural heritage amenities of such areas. 

RECOMMENDATION:  It is recommended that the motion is not adopted.