COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM / TEMPLEOGUE / FIRHOUSE / BOHERNABREENA AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, September 09, 2025

MOTION NO.10

MOTION: Councillor Y. Collins

That this Council considers an alternative location for the proposed screened bin store in the plans for the upgrade and extension of the Ballyroan Community and Youth Centre, to allow Ballyroan Mens Shed to retain their existing entrance and the use of the open space in front of it

REPORT:

The Ballyroan Community & Youth Centre, currently keep their bins behind a secure screen in the northern section of the children’s play area within the community centre site boundary.  As this area sits within the footprint of the proposed community centre extension, the bins need to be relocated to a new location.  Multiple options for the relocation of the bins were considered by SDCC during the pre-Part 8 stage, however, due to numerous site constraints, the area to the south of the library storage unit is the only practical option available to the Council at this time.

The erection of the screened bin store is a necessary element of the proposed development to ensure the community centre expansion and upgrade works can proceed, for the benefit of a broad sector of the Ballyroan community.  It is also important that the bins for the centre, are stored in a safe, hygienic and compliant manner, in a discreet location to avoid visually detracting from the special character and setting of the Church of the Holy Spirit, which is a Protected Structure.  The relocation of the doors of the library storage unit to the west facing elevation, will ensure that the internal floor area of the storage unit is not diminished by the proposed development.

While I note the Ballyroan Men Shed’s use of the library storage unit and the paved area to the south has been longstanding, this activity has only been agreed through an informal arrangement with the Ballyroan Library.  While the expansion of the storage unit to meet the men’s sheds needs is outside the scope of this Part 8 development, the Community Dept are happy to explore options with the Men’s Shed representatives as a separate future project.  The development of the proposed bin store to the south of the library storage unit, does not preclude other options for the future use of this space that may arise if progressed through proper statutory planning procedures. 

It is noted the Men’s Shed representatives were not consulted prior to proceeding to Part 8, however SDCC Library Section, who have responsibility for the storage unit were consulted and had no objections to the proposals.

The option of storing the community centre bins in the rear lane as has been suggested was explored with SDCC Roads Maintenance Section at pre-Part 8 stage and was rejected due to fire safety concerns.

The land outside the proposed dedicated accessible entrance to the children’s play area to the west of the community centre is in the ownership of Ballyroan Parish and SDCC do not have authority to relocate the bins to this area.  It is also a visually prominent location and could significantly detract from the special character and setting of the Church, which is a Protected Structure.