COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN, NEWCASTLE, RATHCOOLE, SAGGART AND BRITTAS AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

MOTION NO. 12

MOTION: Councillor S. O'Hara

That this Area Committee recognises the need for active protection of Rathcoole Woodlands within the RU zoned lands, and asks the Chief Executive to actively prepare a plan for the conservation and protection of the same in tandem with the progression of CS10 SLO 1.

REPORT:

The County Development Plan includes the following:

CS10 SLO 1:

To ensure that the provision of a primary school, library hub, 2 full sized GAA pitches and 1 junior pitch and associated pavilion, access road and open space is provided in tandem with new residential development having regard to the provisions of GI7 SLO2.

GI7 SLO 2:

To ensure the adequate protection and augmentation of the identified Alluvial Rathcoole Woodlands within the zoning RU, and in recognising their value as green infrastructure and the potential linkages to Lugg Woods and Slade Valley and other amenity areas, provide for sensitive passive amenity uses which have regard to their Annex 1 status

The Council has recently issued a tender for a design team to develop a scheme for the housing and GAA pitches. This will include a planning application to An Bord Pleanála through the Part 10 mechanism. The Part 10 process is being applied due to the sensitivities set out in the SLO 2 and the Council’s assessment that a full EIA is required for this development. 

Part of the scope for the development is assessment of the existing masterplan study against any proposal for this application including any implications for the adjoining woodland as well as the Park.