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 C. Brady

Amendment No. 17 Adamstown South and West (Outer) and Policy CS3: Future Strategic Long-Term Development Areas Add

To investigate as part of the study the provision of a second rail station within the Adamstown area, on lands identified as future strategic development lands under Variation No. 2, to serve the long-term development of these lands and the wider area.

Reason: To support the long-term development of the area through integrated transport and urban design, by investigating the provision of a second rail station within closer proximity to future communities, improving accessibility, connectivity and public transport choice for residents across Adamstown and surrounding lands.

CE Response:

This motion is in relation to the inclusion of a new objective into the designation of lands at Adamstown South and West (Outer) that are currently zoned Objective RU to a 'Future Strategic Long Term Development Area' (SDA) under Variation No. 2 of the South Dublin County Development Plan 2022 2028. The subject lands are located directly west and south of Adamstown SDZ. The Cork-Dublin Rail line runs to the south, alongside the Grand Canal.      

SDA Objectives: 

The proposed lands under Policy CS3 relating to the SDAs include a number of objectives, notably: 

CS3 Objective 1:To commence preparatory studies and analysis of the Future SDAs, as identified on  the  development  plan  maps,  to  understand  the  existing  land  uses  and  ecological  sensitivities  and  to  inform  the  preparation  of  future  proposals  for  rezoning to meet the needs of the County through an holistic approach to plan making.  The  exact  lands  to  be  brought  forward as  future  rezoning  may  change  according to the outcome of these studies. 

And   

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    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. 

Furthermore, the CE report recommended the following new SLO: 

To insert a new objective under Policy CS3: Future Strategic Long-Term Development Areas, as follows: 

CS3 Objective 4 To include an Area-Based Transport Assessments (ABTA) in cooperation with the NTA and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) as part of the plan-led approach to Future SDAs. 

Provision of a Second Rail Station  

The motion requests the inclusion of an investigation for a second station within Adamstown SDA to serve future population growth. At present, as the lands are not zoned, there are no immediate plans for an additional stop between Adamstown SDZ and Hazelhatch, a distance of approximately 4.11km on the track, with 1.45km within SDCC and the remainder in Kildare County Council.  

Given the planned network improvements under DART+SW for larger trains, with more capacity and a higher frequency of travel between Heuston and Hazelhatch, it may not be possible to include another station within the 1.45km of track available to SDCC, i.e. within the lands available in the proposed SDA. 

There are movement efficiencies required to ensure quick journeys between stops and meet the proposed timetabling set out by Irish Rail for the DART+SW service.  

However, the need to investigate this further is recognised. Additional stations will need to be assessed as part of the study of the lands and the Planning Authority will engage with Irish Rail and the NTA, having regard to the need for effective and timely movement of people versus the number of stops on the line.  

Given the recommendation in the CE Report for the inclusion of CS3 Objective 4 relating to the need for an Area Based Transport Assessment (ABTA) for all SDAs, it is considered that the intent of the motion can be incorporated as part of a SLO relating to that but specific to these lands.

Conclusion 

It is considered appropriate to investigate, in consultation with relevant stakeholders including the NTA and Irish Rail, the potential for a train station to be located within the Adamstown South and West (Outer) lands. This would inform and be informed by the ABTA which has been recommended for inclusion for all SDAs under CS3 Objective 4 with a Specific Local Objective proposed for these lands. 

CE Recommendation 

To insert a new Specific Local Objective CS3 SLOX for lands at Adamstown South and West (Outer) SDA as follows: 

To ensure that the plan-led approach for any future Strategic Development Area within Adamstown South and West (Outer) includes investigation of the need for an additional rail station and appropriate community, recreation, and leisure infrastructure to serve the lands, including an evidence based assessment of the need for a public swimming pool, a multi-sport campus comprising indoor and outdoor facilities, a Garda Station, and health facilities having regard to any deficits that may exist in the surrounding area and to the needs of the relevant stakeholders, and where considered such infrastructure is required, the appropriate delivery mechanisms for same.