COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SPECIAL MEETING OF COUNTY COUNCIL

Friday, June 19, 2026

MOTION NO.

MOTION: Councillor L. O'Toole with Councillor F. Timmons, Councillor V. Casserly

Amendment No. 16, Pg 537 Liffey Valley That the Council amends the Chief Executive's Recommendation in respect of Amendment No. 16 Liffey Valley Major Retail Centre (MRC) by inserting the following Specific Local Objective:

"To require that future masterplans and development proposals for the Liffey Valley Major Retail Centre assess and maximise opportunities for underground, basement or undercroft car parking provision where feasible, in order to minimise the extent of surface-level parking and maximise the availability of land for public open space, community facilities, active travel infrastructure, landscaping, biodiversity measures and high-quality public realm."

REASONS The proposed development capacity of approximately 1,083 residential units at Liffey Valley represents a significant opportunity to create a high-quality mixed-use urban centre. Given the strategic importance of the site and the limited availability of developable land it is important that land is used efficiently and that excessive surface parking does not compromise the delivery of public open space, community infrastructure, recreational facilities, active travel infrastructure or high-quality public realm. The incorporation of underground basement or undercroft parking where feasible would assist in achieving a more sustainable and compact form of development while allowing valuable surface land to be utilised for community, recreational and environmental purposes. This approach would support the long-term objective of developing Liffey Valley as a major urban centre and key transport hub within the County

 

CE Response:  

This motion is seeking the inclusion of a new point in CS7 SLO10 for the Liffey Valley lands to state: 

"To require that future masterplans and development proposals for the Liffey Valley Major Retail Centre assess and maximise opportunities for underground, basement or undercroft car parking provision where feasible, in order to minimise the extent of surface-level parking and maximise the availability of land for public open space, community facilities, active travel infrastructure, landscaping, biodiversity measures and high-quality public realm." 

The motion reason indicates that this approach would support the long-term objective of developing Liffey Valley as a major urban centre and key transport hub. 

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 objective on the lands. CS7 SLO10 was recommended for inclusion as an SLO on the lands in the CE Report, following the submission from the Department of Education. This motion would add a further point to the recommended SLO.

The County Development Plan (2022) seeks to ensure mixed-use development provides an integrated and balanced approach to movement, placemaking and streetscape design while focusing on the key design principles ensuring well-functioning places are created to live, work, visit, socialise and invest.   

It is considered that the motion would accord with Development Plan policy on high quality development and should be included as a point b. in CS7 SLO10 for the lands 

Conclusion  

The suggested additional point for the SLO identified in the motion is in line with policy for high quality urban design in the County Development Plan. It is recommended that it is included in CS7 SLO10 subject to minor rewording:  

To ensure that future masterplans and development proposals for the Liffey Valley Major Retail Centre maximise opportunities for basement, undercroft or multi storey car parking provision where feasible, to minimise the extent of surface-level parking and maximise the availability of land for public open space, community facilities, active travel infrastructure, landscaping / biodiversity measures and high-quality public realm. 

CE Recommendation: 

 

Agree the motion with minor amendment and insert a new point into Specific Local Objective (SLO) CS7 SLO10, to Amendment No.16 – Liffey Valley MRC (shown in bold):  

CS7 SLO10:  

a. Development on these lands shall have regard to the requirements of the Department of Education and Youth any planning application on this site shall be accompanied by evidence that sufficient primary and secondary              school capacity is available in the wider area to serve existing and proposed development.   

b. Ensure that future masterplans and development proposals for residential development within Liffey Valley MRC maximises opportunities for basement or undercroft car parking provision where feasible, to minimise the extent of surface-level parking and maximise the availability of land for public open space, community facilities, active travel infrastructure, landscaping, biodiversity measures and high-quality public realm.