COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SPECIAL MEETING OF COUNTY COUNCIL

Friday, June 19, 2026

MOTION NO.

MOTION: Councillor P. Holohan with Councillor D. Donnelly

Amendment 1 - Ballynakelly Newcastle     

SLO to be applied that a parking space be a requirement per Unit proposed in a planning application on this land. 

CE Response 

This motion is seeking an SLO for the Ballynakelly, Newcastle lands which would require that each unit proposed would be provided with a parking space in any future planning application.  

 

Existing Development Plan Standards 

The current County Development Plan contains policy and objectives on car parking in section 7.10, in this regard Policy SM7 states: 

Implement a balanced approach to the provision of car parking with the aim of using parking as a demand management measure to promote a transition towards more sustainable forms of transportation, while meeting the needs of businesses and communities.  

National Policy Context 

The National Planning Framework (NPF) and Climate Action policy require a shift towards sustainable mobility and reduced car dependency, for proposed developments which: 

Sustainable Residential Development and Compact Settlement Guidelines 

These Guidelines (2024) were published after the adoption of the County Development Plan and include SPPR 3 which requires: 

Planning authorities are required to have regard to the policies and objectives of the Guidelines and to apply the specific planning policy requirements (SPPRs). This is set out in legislation. 

In this regard SPPR 3 – Car Parking states: 

It is a specific planning policy requirement of these Guidelines that: 

(i) In city centres and urban neighbourhoods of the five cities, defined in Chapter 3 (Table 3.1 and Table 3.2) car-parking provision should be minimised, substantially reduced or wholly eliminated. The maximum rate of car parking provision for residential development at these locations, where such provision is justified to the satisfaction of the planning authority, shall be 1 no. space per dwelling. 

(ii) In accessible locations, defined in Chapter 3 (Table 3.8) car- parking provision should be substantially reduced. The maximum rate of car parking provision for residential development, where such provision is justified to the satisfaction of the planning authority, shall be 1.5 no. spaces per dwelling. 

(iii) In intermediate and peripheral locations, defined in Chapter 3 (Table 3.8) the maximum rate of car parking provision for residential development, where such provision is justified to the satisfaction of the planning authority, shall be 2 no. spaces per dwelling. 

Applicants should be required to provide a rationale and justification for the number of car parking spaces proposed and to satisfy the planning authority that the parking levels are necessary and appropriate, particularly when they are close to the maximum provision. The maximum car parking standards do not include bays assigned for use by a car club, designated short stay on–street Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations or accessible parking spaces. The maximum car parking standards do include provision for visitor parking. 

This SPPR will not apply to applications made in a Strategic Development Zone until the Planning Scheme is amended to integrate changes arising from the SPPR. Refer to Section 2.1.2 for further detail. 

This Amendment is in an area which is currently considered to meet the description set out in Table 3.1 of the Compact Settlement Guidelines for ‘Metropolitan Towns and Villages-  Suburban/Urban Extension’ within the city and suburb area of Dublin, described as: 

Suburban areas are the low density car-orientated residential areas constructed at the edge of the town, while urban extension refers to greenfield lands at the edge of the existing built-up footprint that are zoned for residential or mixed-use (including residential) development. It is a policy and objective of these Guidelines that residential densities in the range 35 dph to 50 dph (net) shall generally be applied. Densities of up to 100 dph shall be open for consideration at ‘accessible’ suburban / urban extension locations. 

On the basis of being within the Metropolitan Towns and Villages – Suburban/Urban Extension classification, Ballynakelly, Newcastle falls under (iii) in the SPPR: 

In intermediate and peripheral locations, defined in Chapter 3 (Table 3.8) the maximum rate of car parking provision for residential development, where such provision is justified to the satisfaction of the planning authority, shall be 2 no. spaces per dwelling. 

Given the SPPR, which overrides any conflicting objectives in the County Development Plan, the Planning Authority is required to implement a maximum rate of car parking of 2 spaces per dwelling for these lands. 

Consideration of a Review 

While the Planning Authority is constrained by National policy in terms of the extent to which it can amend car parking requirements, it is recognised that there are issues arising in the current application of the car parking standards in the County. For this reason, it is considered that a review and research into the implementation, management and ratio would be appropriate.  

It is not recommended to link this research and review of car parking to the zoning of new lands. A single car parking policy should apply to zoned lands, regardless of the timing of the zoning. The intention is for the review to inform the future implementation of National policy. 

Conclusion 

Having regard to the above, Amendment 1 falls into an area described as Metropolitan Towns and Villages – Suburban/Urban Extension for which there is a maximum parking provision of 2 spaces per dwelling, subject to that provision being justified. Justification can only be fully assessed at planning application stage through the development management process and having regard to public transport and accessibility to services available at the time. Therefore, the intent of the motion is contained within existing policy which generally provides for a range up to a maximum of 2.  

The CE recommends a new objective in Policy SM7 of the County Development Plan to carry out a review, including public consultation, of the implementation of car parking policy, including provision, management and ancillary infrastructure within the context of the Sustainable Residential and Compact Settlement Guidelines (or as may be superseded). The review to consider necessary and appropriate parking levels for dwellings including one car parking space per dwelling.  

CE Recommendation 

To amend the motion to provide for a new objective in Policy SM7 of the County Development Plan as follows:  

‘To carry out a review, including public consultation, of the implementation of car parking policy, including provision, management and ancillary infrastructure within the context of the Sustainable Residential and Compact Settlement Guidelines (or as may be superseded). The review to consider necessary and appropriate parking levels for dwellings including minimum one car parking space per dwelling.’