COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

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

Wednesday, January 21, 2026

MOTION NO. 5

MOTION: Councillor L. de Courcy

That this Area Committee consider rezoning the unused land bordered by Knockmenagh Lane, St Brigid's Cottages and the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel to Green Amenity to facilitate a community space which could include a mini woodland, play-space, a heritage centre and/or another appropriate development to support the restoration of Knockmenagh Lane and further promote Clondalkin's rich history and heritage.

REPORT:

It should be noted that zoning is a reserved function which is a matter for the full Council. KF1 Zoning and Transport of the draft Clondalkin Local Planning Framework includes the following which is not subject to the material amendments currently on display:

KF1 Objective 1: To include the Knockmeenagh Framework site lands as part of the review of zoning for new housing targets and land capacity within the County.

By way of context, the Clondalkin LPF which is currently out for Material Amendments to the Draft LPF (Variation no. 1 to the County Development Plan), reviewed the potential for the wider lands at Knockmeenagh which are currently zoned for employment, the exception being the residential zoning around the cottages at St. Brigid’s.

Given the constraints in the current road infrastructure, and the lack of alternative solutions to facilitate the current employment zoning, the LPF considered whether a form of mixed-use development within the lands would facilitate a more efficient and appropriate use of land. The potential for mixed-use, subject to a future rezoning, was identified.  Figure 8.36 of the LPF gave an example of how the active travel link along Knockmeenagh Lane could be improved as part of development while protecting the lane’s historic integrity.

The contextual analysis and design principles for the lands also indicated how a new central open space should be provided within mixed use development.