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 B. Lawlor

Motion Amendment 17, Add SLO text to the SDA areas as follows - No less than 20% of all dwelling units in new residential developments on this site be designed and constructed as fully accessible homes which are suitable for and may be allocated to disabled people, that these be built in accordance with the principals of Universal Design and have regard to future Local Authority Housing Delivery Action Plans. Reason: There is currently no target in SDCC for providing accommodation for disabled people who can live in community settings. Nationally, the number of social housing allocations for disabled people has almost doubled showing strong demand which needs to be met. By putting a 20% requirement on lands that are being identified as Future Strategic Long-Term Development Areas, SDCC will be well placed to deliver these much-needed homes for disabled people. Co-Sponsored: Cllr. David McManus, Cllr. Sarah Barnes

CE Response 

The motion requests to include an SLO on the lands as follows: 

No less than 20% of all dwelling units in new residential developments on this site be designed and constructed as fully accessible homes which are suitable for and may be allocated to disabled people, that these be built in accordance with the principals of Universal Design and have regard to future Local Authority Housing Delivery Action Plans. 

The reason for the motion, it is submitted, is that there are currently no targets in SDCC for providing accommodation for disabled people who can live in community settings. Nationally, the number of social housing allocations for disabled people has almost doubled showing strong demand which needs to be met. By putting a 20% requirement on lands that are being identified as Future Strategic Long-Term Development Areas, it is submitted that SDCC will be well placed to deliver these much-needed homes for disabled people. 

Housing Delivery Action Plan 2022-2026 

The Housing Delivery Action Plan 2022-2028 for South Dublin County recognises that one of the the primary objectives of social housing delivery, having regard to development planning, creating sustainable communities and meeting priority housing needs, include providing high-quality, mixed typology social housing through various delivery mechanisms and increasing social housing to meet long-term needs of households on the housing list including providing appropriate accommodation for those with specific housing needs, such as older persons, persons with disabilities, homeless persons and Travellers. 

The Council continues to provide Housing through a variety of mechanisms and delivery channels. Older people and people with disabilities can access support for housing through the social housing support application system which seeks information on disabilities and medical conditions.  The Council's Strategic Plan for Housing People with a Disability 2021-2026 commits to providing quality and appropriate community-based homes for disabled people aligned to their support needs. This Plan supports the provision of integrated and sustainable delivery of accommodation for four specific categories of disability, namely sensory disability, mental health disability, intellectual disability and physical disability, particularly the households requiring wheelchair liveable accommodation. 

The Council continue to work with the Housing Disability Steering Group, AHB partners and support agencies, to increase and improve housing responses, including shared tenancies where appropriate, for independent living by people with a disability in a community of choice. SDCC is committed to maximising the delivery of wheelchair liveable homes to meet the existing need and use in their own construction projects, Part V and the Capital Assistance Scheme in particular, to meet medical need with bespoke and adapted homes. 

Part M and Universal Design 

The Building Regulations Technical Guidance Document M (2022) Access and Use(referred to as Part M) aims to foster an inclusive approach to the design and construction of the built environment. The County Development Plan 2022-2028 also promotes Universal Design approaches to all types of development, while also promoting adaptable / lifetime housing standards to cater for the life cycle of people’s needs. 

In terms of housing design, compliance with Part M of the Building Regulations expands options available to persons with a disability. In addition to this, a suitable proportion of wheelchair accessible parking would be secured as part of any planning application in line with the requirements specified in Part M (Access and Use) of the Building Regulations and is commonly 5% of the proposed parking spaces. 

SDA 

The inclusion of an amendment to the long-term planning objective of the future SDAs will allow for evidence-based approach to deliver high quality designed and inclusive developments. It is not recommended to insert a 20% requirement at this stage. As such the CE recommends that objective CS3 Objective 3 in the written statement is updated as follows: 

‘To ensure development of Future SDAs (subject to rezoning) for residential and 

other uses will be in accordance with an approved plan-led approach, such as a 

Priority Area Plan or otherwise equivalent appropriate mechanism, which will align housing delivery, including investigating the feasibility of providing a minimum of 20% of units as fully accessible and identifying a unit target to be designed for specialist housing units in accordance with the relevant SDCC Housing Delivery Action Plan., with, inter alia, climate action objectives, supporting infrastructure, sustainable transport options, educational and community facilities, public open space, green infrastructure networks, cultural heritage and no net loss of important ecological features as surveyed, identified and mapped by a qualified ecologist.

Conclusion 

The Council acknowledges the proposed SLO. The approach set out regarding the suggested SLO is acceptable as it would ensure accessible home provisions are considered as part of the consideration of any potential development on the future SDA.

CE Recommendation 

Amend the motion to provide for additional wording into CS3 Objective 3: 

To ensure development of Future SDAs (subject to rezoning) for residential and other uses will be in accordance with an approved plan-led approach, such as a Priority Area Plan or otherwise equivalent appropriate mechanism, which will align housing delivery, including investigating the feasibility of providing a minimum of 20% of units as fully accessible and identifying a unit target to be designed for specialist housing units in accordance with the relevant SDCC Housing Delivery Action Plan., with, inter alia, climate action objectives, supporting infrastructure, sustainable transport options, educational and community facilities, public open space, green infrastructure networks, cultural heritage and no net loss of important ecological features as surveyed, identified and mapped by a qualified ecologist.