COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN MEETING

Tuesday, March 01, 2022

MOTION NO. 3

MOTION: Councillor William Joseph Carey, Councillor Derren Ó Brádaigh

Page 268, Chapter 2, Submission No. SD-C195-17 FROM CE Recommendation: To insert a new objective into Policy CS5 to read: To ensure, that as part of the two-year statutory review of the Development Plan, an evidence-based analysis of employment lands will be undertaken and should there be evidence for the need for further employment zoning within the lifetime of the Plan, a Variation to the Plan will be immediately initiated informed by: • Analysis of the type of employment need • Analysis of the appropriate location/s to serve such need • Relevant National and Regional policy and proper planning and sustainable development. TO CE Recommendation: To insert a new objective into Policy CS5 to read: To ensure, that as part of the two-year statutory review of the Development Plan, an evidence-based analysis of employment lands will be undertaken and should there be evidence for the need for an agri-hub employment zoning within the lifetime of the Plan, a Variation to the Plan will be immediately initiated to create a - special zoning status that can be attributed to specific lands that cater to the development of the agri-hub sector informed by: • Analysis of the type of employment need • Analysis of the appropriate location/s to serve such need • Relevant National and Regional policy and proper planning and sustainable development. proposed by Cllr William Carey and Cllr Derren OBradaigh

REPORT:

The motion proposes that the CE Recommendation to insert a new objective into Policy CS5 of the Draft Plan should be amended 

From:  

To ensure, that as part of the two-year statutory review of the 

Development Plan, an evidence-based analysis of employment lands will be undertaken and should there be evidence for the need for further employment zoning within the lifetime of the Plan, a Variation to the Plan will be immediately initiated informed by: 

To: 

‘To ensure, that as part of the two-year statutory review of the Development Plan, an evidence-based analysis of employment lands will be undertaken and should there be evidence for the need for an agri-hub employment zoning within the lifetime of the Plan, a Variation to the Plan will be immediately initiated to create a - special zoning status that can be attributed to specific lands that cater to the development of the agri-hub sector informed by:  

The submission made at public consultation stage to the Draft Plan to which the motion relates sought to rezone 77.26 hectares from RU –Rural to EE - Enterprise and Employment, at Colmanstown, Keating's Park, Bustyhlll and Athgoe adjacent to northbound N7 and south of Newcastle and that the zoning be site specific and state “To promote the development of a sustainable agri-food hub at Colmanstown Lane, Keating's Park, Athgoe, Bustyhill Area”.  

It is not fully clear how an agri-hub would be defined. In Kilkenny, an agri-hub is being marketed as the first centre of its kind in Ireland, providing a multi-purpose venue and conference centre alongside modern facilities for livestock sales. It has been developed around the existing mart which offers weekly livestock marts, agri food centres and butchers, under the one roof. The centre is on a 28 acre site outside the city and is designed to cater for a range of uses including a 17,000sq ft events venue, office and retail units and a bar and restaurant.  

The concept of smart agri-hubs has begun to emerge in recent years, allowing farmers in the agri-food sector to realise the digitisation of agriculture by fostering technological innovation in agriculture. Smart agri-hubs are digital innovation hubs which facilitate access to the latest knowledge and expertise, and?technology?support. These are not so much land based as technology based. 

Policy EDE18 Rural Economy of the Draft Plan supports sustainable rural enterprises within South Dublin, whilst protecting the rural character of the countryside and minimizing environmental impacts. Furthermore, Section 13.7.4 of the Draft Plan indicates that new rural enterprise will be encouraged on RU zoned lands subject to a number of criteria, including the capacity of the local road network and the scale and nature of the proposed development. 

The employment evidence base prepared to support the Draft County Development Plan demonstrates that there is sufficient land available to support the future identified employment needs of the County. However, the Council does recognise that trends in the wider economy can quickly impact on employment lands, and as such the Council considers it will be important to monitor this situation and update the current evidence-based analysis of employment lands in the County within two years of the Plan coming into effect. In response the additional objective referred to above was added through the CE Report on the Draft Plan. 

The CE recommended new objective applies equally to all relevant employment uses across the county. However, given the very particular type of land use which appears to be the intention of the agri-hub, it is considered that it can be included as part of the wider consideration and analysis of the potential need for particular types of employment lands.  

As worded by the motion, the amendment would mean that only lands for agri-hub would be considered as part of an employment lands analysis. This is not appropriate but an amendment to the objective within Policy CS5 to include reference to agri-hub would ensure that the needs of all employment lands, including agri-hub, are considered in the analysis as part of the two year statutory review of the Development Plan. The amendment would read: 

To ensure, that as part of the two-year statutory review of the Development Plan, an evidence-based analysis of employment lands, including the potential for agri-hub employment, will be undertaken and should there be evidence for the need for further employment zoning within the lifetime of the Plan, a Variation to the Plan will be immediately initiated informed by: 

CE Recommendation: It is recommended that this motion is adopted with amendment to read: 

From: 

To ensure, that as part of the two-year statutory review of the Development Plan, an evidence-based analysis of employment lands will be undertaken and should there be evidence for the need for further employment zoning within the lifetime of the Plan, a Variation to the Plan will be immediately initiated informed by: 

To: 

To ensure, that as part of the two-year statutory review of the Development Plan, an evidence-based analysis of employment lands, including the potential for agri-hub employment, will be undertaken and should there be evidence for the need for further employment zoning within the lifetime of the Plan, a Variation to the Plan will be immediately initiated informed by: