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, May 20, 2026

MOTION NO.9

MOTION: Councillor F. Timmons

That this Area Committee  request an update on the County Development plan SLO on Saggart Paper Mills and what SDCC can do to ensure this site can be utilised as the place where the paper was made for proclamation, where James Connollys paper was published and Dean swifts Gullivar Travels.

REPORT:

The Rag Store, Mill Chimney and single-storey mill building are Protected Structures (RPS Ref. 330) and are located within the former Swiftbrook Mills. The Rag store is currently in residential use at first and second floor level and the incubator units at ground floor level are currently unoccupied. The Mill Chimney and single-storey mill building were restored during 2014 by the owner and the necessary conservation work completed, which was partially funded under the National Architectural Conservation grant scheme.

Issues of taking in charge exist for the surrounding residential development so the existing Chimney and single storey building have not been taken in charge and therefore remain in private ownership. It is the responsibility of the owner to maintain the buildings.

Recently, a residential development to the east of the Mills was permitted (PRR No. SD24A/0092W, ABP-322539-25). The site was separate from the Mills and it was considered that the development would not have a detrimental impact on the Mill structures or setting; however, the closest block (Block C) was omitted pending revised proposals to lessen its overall visual impact. The omission of Block C was overturned by ACP on appeal.

From a Tourism perspective, the Council wouldn’t have any direct delivery role without land control or a separate project. While the land is in private ownership, the Council’s role is limited to its planning functions which, to date, has succeeded in securing protection of the structures as part of previous development proposals. Since the SLO was adopted in 2022, there have been no new planning applications for the site of the Mills which the planning authority could use to oblige a use in accordance with the SLO.