COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SPECIAL MEETING OF COUNTY COUNCIL

Friday, June 19, 2026

MOTION NO.

MOTION: Councillor W. Carey

Proposed amendment to Variation No. 10 Stonewall - Page 444 Motion: This Council agrees to amend Variation No. 2 (Amendment no.10) to read: '

'Development shall only occur in parallel with the provision of adequate bus services connecting Stonewall to existing bus services serving Adamstown'

Reason: To ensure adequate bus transport for existing and future residents Proposed by, Cllr Carey, Dunne, Whelan & Mannion

CE Response: 

The Planning Authority notes that the subject lands contain 128 modular units which were constructed as part of exempt emergency accommodation by the State under Statutory Instrument No. 306/2022 (S.I. No. 306/2022). 

While standard planning permission requirements were waived under the exemption, projects still had to adhere to the relevant environmental assessments under Sections 181A to 181C of the Planning and Development Act. 

Notwithstanding that the lands were originally identified for emergency accommodation, it is considered that the subject lands are in close proximity to the Adamstown Strategic Development Zone (SDZ), and are a reasonable extension to its coherent urban framework that enables consistency for compact, Transport Oriented Development (TOD) development, ensuring key NPOs/NSOs of the NPF are delivered, such as NSO1 and NPO10. It is also noted that in time, should the amendments relating to Tubber Lane North and the long-term SDA at Adamstown West be adopted, the subject lands will be immediately contiguous to, and form part of, further planned growth and associated infrastructure and community / social facilities. 

In this context, the subject lands are approximately 600m to the C4, C6, X27 and X28 services on the Lucan-Celbridge Road (R403). Pedestrian traffic lights facilitate crossing to the Dublin bound route and both the inbound and outbound routes have relocated the bus stops with associated footpaths to accommodate access from the Celbridge Link Road. 

Similarly, the closest bus stop at Shackleton Drive, which serves the C2 route, is approximately 600m from the entrance to Stonewell. 

Having regard to the choice of bus services, it considered that the development is accessible to and already using the high-capacity public transport in the area with access to the bus service within Adamstown. Furthermore, cycle paths connect the lands directly to Adamstown, to Shackleton Drive and to Tubber Lane. 

Therefore, it is considered that the proposed wording would introduce an unnecessary and potentially restrictive condition on lands, that are already developed and occupied and would not reflect the established and functioning nature of the site, that is serviced by adequate public transport provision, including within Adamstown. 

The Chief Executive would not recommend a phasing style SLO linked to a variable such as a bus service frequency or route which are open to change. Given the developed nature of the site, the assessment of compliance will provide uncertainty and impact on the timely delivery of housing or alterations to existing houses at this appropriate location. 

Conclusion 

The lands subject to this proposed amendment to the County Development Plan are already built and occupied and serviced by the necessary infrastructure to ensure their sustainability. They are directly adjacent to the Adamstown SDZ and to existing amenities, in proximity to existing high capacity public transport within Adamstown and are adequately served by local schools. Therefore, it is considered that the zoning should progress without the wording proposed in the motion. 

It is noted that the OPR has made one recommendation which is that the Planning Authority continue to progress the zoning of additional residential zoned lands, identified as amendments 1 to no. 16 of the proposed Variation. 

CE Recommendation 

Reject the motion