COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, September 12, 2022

QUESTION NO. 22

QUESTION: Councillor F. Timmons 

To ask the Chief Executive for a detailed report into what an ACA means? Report to include what protection is given to ACA areas and how is this enforced in regards to ACAs in SDCC.

REPLY:

The purpose of an Architectural Conservation Area (ACA) designation is to define the boundaries of an area that merits protection and to use appropriate controls over development in order to protect and enhance the special character of the Architectural Conservation Area.

The carrying out of exterior works to structures within an ACA are exempt from planning permission only where the works would not materially affect the character of the area and where the works would be consistent with the appearance of the structure itself and neighbouring structures.

The Council seeks to ensure that new development and works within ACAs and village areas respect the historic status of the area and demonstrate an awareness of the historic surroundings on the part of designers, developers, building occupiers and owners. This will serve to protect and enhance the historic built environment of the area and will ensure that new development adds to the character of the area and reinforces its sense of place.

There are specific policies objectives in the County Development Plan (CDP) 2022-2028 under Chapter 3, Policy NCBH20 seeks to preserve and enhance the historic character and visual setting of Architectural Conservation Areas and carefully consider any proposals for development that would affect the special value of such areas under the following objectives;

NCBH20 Objective 1: To avoid the removal of distinctive features that positively contribute to the character of Architectural Conservation Areas including building features, shop fronts, boundary treatments (including walls), street furniture, landscaping, and paving.

NCBH20 Objective 2: To prohibit demolition of a structure that positively contributes to the architectural character of an ACA.

NCBH20 Objective 3: To ensure that new development, including infill development, extensions and renovation works within or adjacent to an Architectural Conservation Area (ACA) preserves or enhances the special character and visual setting of the ACA including vistas, streetscapes and roofscapes.

NCBH20 Objective 4: To address dereliction and to welcome, encourage and promote appropriate and sensitive reuse and rehabilitation of buildings, building features and sites within Architectural Conservation Areas.

NCBH20 Objective 5: To reduce and prevent visual and urban clutter within Architectural Conservation Areas including, where appropriate, traffic management structures, utility structures and all signage.

NCBH20 Objective 6: To promote and support the reimagining of public spaces and places within Architectural Conservation Areas as part of improving positive placemaking (refer to Section 3.6.2 subsection Placemaking and the Historic Built Environment).

NCBH20 Objective 7: To ensure proposals for shopfronts and retail signage within ACAs adhere to best practice and achieve high quality designs which respect the character of the area. In this regard, applicants shall be required to have regard and adhere to the principles laid out in South Dublin’s Shopfront Design Guide.

NCBH20 Objective 8: To ensure that all planning applications for new developments within or immediately contiguous to an ACA include an Architectural Impact Assessment and Design Rationale addressing design considerations such as urban structure and grain, density and mix, scale, height, materials, landscape, views and landmarks and historic development.

Planning Applications that are submitted to the Planning Authority are assessed in accordance with the CDP and legislation pertaining to Architectural Conservation Areas and are also referred to the Councils Architectural Conservation Officer to formally assess to ensure that the proposed development does not materially affect the character of the ACA.

Where unauthorised development is deemed to have been carried out within an Architectural Conservation Area the Planning Enforcement Section will investigate claims in accordance with Part IV of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 (as amended) and will liaise with the Councils Architectural Conservation Officer in seeking recommendations.