COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SPECIAL MEETING OF COUNTY COUNCIL

Thursday, December 11, 2025

MOTION NO. 4 (ID:89270)

MOTION: Councillor L. de Courcy

That this council abandons all plans to reinstate any old or new permeability routes through Floraville Estate. The proposal has caused significant distress to many residents who remember the anti-social behaviour resulting from the original walkways into and out of the estate. Residents appreciate the quiet and relatively safe environment of the estate which would be compromised with multiple access points. Additionally, the ability of e-scooters and e-bikes to use the Floraville as a throughway would make the estate less safe for residents walking to and from the village and for children playing.

CE Report: 

The proposed motion seeks to abandon all plans to reinstate any old permeability routes or open new permeability routes through Floraville Estate, indicating that the proposal has caused significant distress to many residents who remember anti-social behaviour resulting from the original walkways. 

The concern expressed by many residents in submissions to the draft plan and reflected in this motion is acknowledged. The response below sets out the rationale and need for greater permeability within the LPF area as a whole, of which the proposed links through Floraville would add significant value to the ability for children to get to schools more easily and safely from the residential areas to the east e.g. Woodford. Critically, the LPF makes it very clear that no new openings will happen without local consultation. 

As part of the preparation of the LPF, a Local Transport Plan (LTP) was undertaken to provide an evidence-based analysis of the existing travel patterns and mode share (how people travel whether by public transport, car or walking and cycling) alongside demand analysis (where people want to travel to), transport infrastructure and land use.  

In seeking to respond to the need to reduce congestion, identified at the first round of pre-draft public consultation, and to improve the environment around the village centre, an option was put forward for the public’s consideration at a second round of pre-draft consultation which included changes to road layouts and bus gates. This option was strongly resisted by the public. 

In recognising that different options were required, a third round of pre-draft public consultation was undertaken which consisted of two stages. The purpose of this consultation was to realise what mobility measures the community would accept and that were in keeping with government policy and the County Development Plan. Two areas were focused on during stakeholder meetings. These were:

• Short journeys less than 2km made by people with no additional needs who choose to drive rather than walk or cycle.  

• The large proportion of children dropped off by car to Clondalkin’s schools. 

The first stage of this 3rd round of consultation took place between November and December 2024, involving 59 one-to-one meetings with key stakeholder groups (approximately 260 people including businesses, schools, community groups, residents’ associations etc.). From discussions with school principals, it emerged that most pupils live within 2km of schools. Notwithstanding, 40-60% of children travel to school by car. 

In January 2025, the second stage of this round of consultation involved participatory public workshops at which revised transport and mobility measures were put forward reflecting the feedback from the first stage. This consisted of a package of measures including permeability. These workshops allowed for further refinement and validation of the proposed measures, identification of emerging issues, and collaboration with the community in developing implementation approaches. 

The outcome following this round of pre-draft consultation was that permeability measures were generally supported in theory. However, the community had strong and consistent reservations regarding permeability interventions for similar reasons as set out in this motion and as set out in submissions received to the draft plan. Proposed solutions to these concerns were identified at the consultation as:  

• Ensuring pathways are designed well to minimise opportunity for antisocial behaviour, including through sufficient lighting, active and passive surveillance. 

• Robust consultation and engagement with residents to mitigate pushback on new permeability measures. 

These measures have been built into the objectives of the LPF as follows: 

SM4 Objective 1: To support the permeability routes and links identified in Figure 5.9 and Table 5.4, subject to further consultation, which will enable quicker and safer access to schools, shops, places of work and social interaction in a pedestrian and cycle friendly environment.  

SM4 Objective 2: To ensure that proposed permeability links are designed in line with the NTA’s best practice guidance and in such a way as to reduce the potential for anti-social behaviour, providing wide and inviting openings which are well lit  

SM5 Objective 1: To deliver the identified priority permeability routes, subject to local consultation, to facilitate improved connections to schools, increasing the safety of children currently using active travel and providing improved options for children and their parents / guardians currently travelling by car to switch to walking or cycling.  

SM5 Objective 2: To encourage permeability improvements in general, including those identified as secondary permeability links, at suitable locations following appropriate consultation, throughout the Plan area. 

SM5 Objective 4: To engage with the community prior to any formal Part 8 or related process to facilitate consultation on proposed new links and their design.  

A cohesive approach to supporting sustainable forms of movement has been incorporated into the Local Planning Framework. This involves objectives around permeability to help people move between places as easily as possible, providing a safe alternative to driving shorter distances for those who would like to.  Importantly, the identified permeability improvements would enable children to walk or cycle from residential areas in the northern and eastern part of the LPF area to schools in the more southern part of the plan area to reduce car journeys through the village and so ease congestion. As it stands, significant areas within Woodford are cut off from the village and schools limiting the options for movement other than by car.  The package of measures in the LPF also includes public realm improvements, pedestrian crossings at key locations, safety initiatives for cycling and walking and more Safe Routes to Schools and lower speed limits.  

Taken together, permeability alongside the other measures in the plan will, by facilitating alternatives to the car where that is appropriate for people, help towards reducing congestion and the dominance of the car in the village centre, contribute towards a reduction in carbon emissions and associated pollution, improve walking and cycling and public transport connectivity, improve the safety of the transport network for end users, and provide better and safer routes and access to schools / shops and other local facilities. 

Three permeability routes are identified in Figure 5.9 of the LPF which relate to Floraville. They are: 

• An existing route into Coláiste Bride – No changes are proposed in the LPF to the current arrangements for opening of the gate by the school within school hours.  

• A proposed Priority Route which would provide a connection between Floraville and the GAA grounds. This route is identified in the LPF and outlined in Table 5.4 as a priority route because it would provide a valuable connection between the residential areas to the east/northeast of Monastery Road and the schools at New Road, allowing for an improved connection to the existing permeability route to Coláiste Bride secondary school. 

It should be noted that a CE Recommendation in the CE Report, in recognition of the timelines that will be likely to deliver this priority route and of the concerns expressed in submissions, and noting that any opening will be subject to local consultation, has recommended that it is amended to a secondary permeability route and that the link between Monastery Road and Knockmeenagh, through the GAA lands, on which it is partly dependent on for delivery, is amended to a strategic route. 

• A route identified as a Secondary Route between Floraville and Laurel Park. This route is not seen as a priority, but it would allow for greater ease of movement between these two adjacent housing areas, avoiding the need to go back out onto Monastery Road to connect and further enhancing a wider network of routes for walking and cycling. 

As set out in Table 5.4, the proposed connection between Floraville and the GAA grounds is considered highly important as a connection between the Woodford area and the schools at New Road. This would add greater value to the existing permeability connection to Coláiste Bride secondary school. It also supports the proposed permeability route between Monastery Heath and Woodford Drive as part of a cohesive network of routes which have the potential to reduce the overall distance to travel to school, improve safety and help reduce congestion. Any reduction in distance and improvements in safety through a connected network of routes will help to make walking and cycling a more realistic option for those who do not need to travel by car.  

CE Recommendation: 

It is recommended that the motion is not adopted and that the recommendation of the CE Report of November 2025 as set out below is adopted: 

Figure 5.9 (Map of the Permeability Routes) 

To amend the route between Floraville Avenue and Round Towers GAA club grounds identified in Figure 5.9 as a Priority Permeability Route to a Secondary Permeability Route to allow for its considered review over time.  

To amend the route between Monastery Road at Round Towers GAA grounds and Knockmeenagh Lane identified in Figure 5.9 as a Priority Permeability Route to a Strategic Permeability Route to better reflect its potential for longer term delivery. 

To retain the Secondary Permeability Route between Floraville Avenue and Laurel Park (Per 2) as shown on Figure 5.9. 

It is further recommended to amend the text to Table 5.4 to reflect the changes above.

Advisory Note:  Initial Screening for SEA for the Motion

This proposal would not provide the most evidence-based framework for development and has the potential to undermine sustainable development and proper planning - with potential for associated unnecessary adverse environmental effects on various environmental components. Taking this into account, SEA would be likely to be advised as being required.

Initial Screening for AA for the Motion

No AA issues; Stage 2 AA not required.