COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SPECIAL MEETING OF COUNTY COUNCIL

Thursday, December 11, 2025

MOTION NO.6(ID:89278)

MOTION: Councillor L. de Courcy

That this council agrees not to open the gate at Cherrywood Avenue onto the Old Nangor Road. Residents are concerned about the negative impact the increased vehicular traffic will have on noise and air pollution in their quiet cul-de-sac, believing parents will start use it as a car park to walk their children to school through the new opening. As a cul-de-sac it is designed for low-traffic, residential use where children can play safely and there is little likelihood of e-bikes and e-scoters compromising their safety and that of other residents. There is the added serious concern relating to increased crime and anti-social behaviour which comes with through access.

CE Report: 

The proposed motion seeks to abandon the plan to open a permeability route between the Old Nangor Road and Cherrywood Avenue, highlighting that residents are concerned about the increase in vehicular traffic will have on noise and air pollution in their quiet cul-de-sac, believing parents will use their road as a car park to gain access to schools. The benefits of cul-de-sacs are highlighted including the stated reduced risk of anti-social behaviour and crime. 

 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, by car, public transport or walking and cycling) alongside demand analysis (where people want to travel to), transport infrastructure and land use.  

Following earlier rounds of public consultation at which there was strong objection to an option put forward for consideration as a way of reducing congestion, a third round of pre-draft public consultation was undertaken. This consisted of two stages, and its purpose 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:  

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:  

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 are able to.  Importantly, the identified permeability improvements would facilitate children to walk or cycle from residential areas in different parts of the LPF area and outside it. In this instance the proposed opening of the gate at Cherrywood Avenue would facilitate walking and cycling access to the schools on Old Nangor Road and so reduce the need for car journeys through the village easing congestion. 

The need to reduce congestion was an ongoing issue at public consultation. Table 5.3 in the LPF sets out the top ten origin-destination of local trips (by car originating within the Plan area) showing the impact of school journeys. The package of measures within the LPF complements the permeability routes through 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 to reduce 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. 

The objectives contained within the LPF make clear that public consultation will be undertaken prior to any implementation of the proposed permeability route. This will allow for more detailed consideration of the issues raised in the motion and an examination of solutions for same as part of the consultation where that is required.   

CE  Recommendation: 

No change to the draft LPF (Proposed Variation no. 1) 

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.