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 W. Carey

Amendment 2 - Adamstown West 

Motion: This Council agrees to amend point 3e in CS7 SLO4 to read:

Development may only commence in parallel with increased provision of community infrastructure including expanded community centre provision, a swimming poll and other social infrastructure as recommended following the completion of a Social Infrastructure Audit as part of the master plan to determine local needs.

Reason: To address the current and future community and social infrastructure needs of the residents of Adamstown Proposed By Cllr's Carey, Dunne Whelan and Mannion

 

CE Response 

This motion seeks to amend point 3 of the SLO of Adamstown SDZ West of the proposed Variation to read (as per below recommendation): 

3 e. A Social Infrastructure Audit and provision within development  proposals to address any needs identified, 

To amend to: 

Development may only commence in parallel with increased provision of community infrastructure including expanded community centre provision, a swimming poll and other social infrastructure as recommended following the completion of a Social Infrastructure Audit as part of the master plan to determine local needs.  

Context and Process   

The NPF Implementation Guidelines requires Councils to identify the lands needed for delivery of the new targets within the Development Plan period. They also included the need for Councils to consider capacity for up to 50% above the baseline housing growth requirements to provide options for delivery.     

The Settlement Capacity Audit (SCA) presented to Councillors in October 2025, indicated that by the end of 2028 the current zoned land in the county could deliver 9,613 dwellings based on a business-as-usual model. The NPF Revised baseline housing target for the county to 2028 is 11,699 dwellings, resulting in an identified shortfall of lands to deliver 2,086 units.  

Following the full review process Variation No. 2 identifies lands which significantly increase the capacity of the county to deliver the baseline target of 11,699 units to 2028 through providing an additional 156.5 hectares with an equivalent potential for 7,324 dwellings. In total this provides capacity for 16,937 units which incorporates c. 45% additional provision over the baseline requirement.  

NPF Objectives: Compact Growth and TOD   

The approach taken by the Planning Authority is directly aligned with key policies underpinning the sustainable policy approach within the National Planning Framework (NPF). This approach places a strong emphasis on compact growth and Transport Orientated Development (TOD). In particular, National Policy Objectives 10, 97 and 99 support the delivery of residential development at appropriate locations within or adjacent to the existing urban footprint, focused on areas served by existing or planned high-capacity public transport.     

The process therefore aligns with national policy which requires that planning authorities plan proactively for future growth, including the identification of lands that may contribute to housing delivery within the lifetime of the Development Plan and beyond. 

Community Facilities  

The SLO sets out a clear and structured requirement for integration of the development of the lands, supported by a social infrastructure audit, outlined in the SLO. This ensures that all matters relating to social and community infrastructure, including the provision of items such as a pool will be assessed, including cumulative impacts arising from surrounding development. These will be carefully examined and addressed in a coordinated manner, while also taking account of future growth needs and the delivery of any additional services and facilities planned for the area. This assessment and audit allow SDCC to understand the future needs and requirements for the future growth of the lands/area. 

In parallel, the Council continues to actively engage with the key services providers like the HSE to support the delivery of additional services and facilities to support existing and planned growth. It is therefore considered that the SLO comprehensively caters for the impact of cumulative growth and to assess the potential requirements stemming from the audit for the lands. 

Furthermore, the SLO requires integration with the surrounding SDZ, and will provide access to existing and planned services and facilities such as: 

The above list is a sample and not exhaustive, which will be supplemented by the provision of additional services and facilities. Further to this, SDCC has recently completed and opened a pool in Lucan.

Therefore, it is considered that the CE SLO is appropriate and adequately worded as currently recommended and that no change be made as sufficient provision exists within the existing wording to establish a clear understanding of the future needs for the proposed variation lands, whilst taking into account the surrounding context and services, as set out in part 3 of the SLO which requires the master plan of the lands to be submitted to ‘... the planning authority in advance of  the submission of a planning application for residential development  on the  subject lands’, such a master plan will be informed by the SIA required. 

 

Conclusion  

The NPF Implementation Guidelines requires Councils to identify the lands needed for delivery of the new targets within the Development Plan period. They also included the need for Councils to consider capacity for up to 50% above the baseline housing growth requirements to provide options for delivery.  

Given the approach taken to the Variation, it is considered that South Dublin has clearly identified sufficient and suitable zoned land, including the Adamstown SDZ West, to meet the housing shortfall for 2028 with built-in additional capacity consistent with the achievement of the shared goals in the NPF, RSES and County Development Plan in relation to compact growth, accessibility, sustainable mobility and climate action.  

Adamstown SDZ West is well located to deliver on the social infrastructure requirement to meet the new housing targets and provide for national policy on compact growth, and the SDCC social and community infrastructure strategies and the capital programmes will be reviewed and adapted to reflect the outcome of relevant social infrastructure audits and increasing demand for social infrastructure. The Chief Executive is committed to adapting the programme to meet any future growth from the proposed variation.  

It is recommended that no change is made to the variation. 

CE Recommendation 

No change to the proposed variation