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. 16 - Liffey Valley MRC - Page 537 Motion: This Council agrees to include the following SLO on the MRC lands CS7 SLO11:

Adequate provision of carparking for existing staff in the Liffey Valley retail park must be included in any development.

Reason: To maintain existing levels of carparking for staff at Liffey Valley retail park Proposed by, Cllr Carey, Dunne, Whelan & Mannion

CE Response: 

The lands are currently zoned as Major Retail Centre (MRC) ‘to protect, improve and provide for the future development of a Major Retail Centre’. The proposed Variation will provide for residential development within the current MRC zoning on the lands. 

The motion seeks to add the following SLO to Amendment No.16 – Liffey Valley MRC of the Variation:  

 Adequate provision of carparking for existing staff in the Liffey Valley retail park must be included in any development. 

The motion gives the reason for the SLO as being required to maintain existing levels of car parking for staff at Liffey Valley retail park.  

The motion refers to CS7 SLO11, however CS7 SLO10 is the SLO that relates to Liffey Valley as inserted as part of a recommendation in the CE Report. Nevertheless, the motion clearly states that the item relates to Variation No. 16 - Liffey Valley MRC Page 537.  

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.  

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. 

Given the approach taken to the Variation, it is considered that South Dublin has clearly identified sufficient and suitable zoned land, including the lands at Liffey Valley MRC, 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. 

Staff Car Parking 

It is understood that the motion is seeking to address the potential for a staff car parking to be removed as part of future development on the current staff car parking area. The Chief Executive notes that this car parking area, to the rear of the shopping centre, also serves those needing to avail of the shop mobility service (manual / powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters). 

The County Development Plan (2022) sets out that maximum parking standards for residential and non-residential development whilst identifying specific retail parking requirements for retail uses. The subject lands have access to good public transport links strengthened by the Bus Connects programme within the area.  

Any planning application for large-scale development will be required to undertake a Transport and Traffic Assessment. This analysis would provide further detail on travel movement patterns, quantum and trip generation.  This information would provide a clear rational for any proposed car parking while taking into consideration availability of public transport in the area and the needs of mobility impaired.  

However, to ensure that the needs of existing staff are included in any future development, it is considered appropriate that a Workplace Travel Plan is required as part of any planning application.  

Conclusion 

The County Development Plan sets out maximum car parking standards for non-residential development, based on both the needs of shoppers and staff.  

The concerns in relation to existing staff parking can best be addressed through a workplace travel plan which should be included in the SLO. As such, CS7 SLO10 would now include the following wording:  

Development on the Liffey Valley lands shall include a Workplace Travel Plan which will ensure adequate car parking provision for staff taking account of the public transport and active travel options serving the lands.  

It is considered that the inclusion of the need for a workplace travel plan, including the need to ensure adequate car park provision for staff, addresses the intent of the motion.

CE Recommendation: 

To include the following wording as a new point in Specific Local Objective (SLO) CS7 SLO10, for Amendment No.16 – Liffey Valley MRC:  

CS7 SLO10:  

x. Development on the Liffey Valley MRC lands shall include a Workplace Travel Plan which will ensure adequate car parking provision for staff taking account of the public transport and active travel options serving the lands.