Variation No. 2 to the South Dublin County Development Plan

Planning for Growth – Delivering Infrastructure First

Variation No. 2 to the South Dublin County Development Plan was one of the most significant planning
decisions taken by South Dublin County Council in recent years. It was introduced following revised
National Planning Framework housing targets, requiring the Council to consider additional residential
lands and amendments to the County Development Plan.
Throughout the process I worked with residents, community groups and fellow councillors to carefully
examine every proposed amendment. My focus was never to oppose housing but to ensure that future
development is properly planned, sustainable and supported by the infrastructure that communities need.
Following detailed consideration, a number of motions I proposed or co-sponsored were adopted by South
Dublin County Council and became part of the Council’s final position. These decisions were significant
enough that the Council was required to formally explain them to the Office of the Planning Regulator in
its statutory submission.

Key Outcomes

Finnstown Castle

I proposed the successful motion to retain the existing Open Space zoning at Finnstown Castle.
The motion was based on concerns relating to:

• Existing residential land capacity elsewhere in the county
• Cumulative pressure on roads and infrastructure
• Protection of the historic setting of Finnstown Castle
• landscape character and settlement separation
• Ensuring infrastructure keeps pace with development

The motion was carried by Council and became the adopted position resulting in the proposed residential
zoning being removed. The Chief Executive’s report responded in detail to each of the planning grounds
raised before recording that the motion was carried.

St. Edmundsbury

I also proposed the successful motion to reject the proposed residential zoning of lands at St.Edmundsbury.
The motion sought to protect:

• the High Amenity designation
• biodiversity
• The Liffey Valley ecological corridor
• landscape character
• The long-term environmental value of these lands

Following the Council decision, the proposed residential zoning was rejected and the motion became the
Council’s position in its response to the Office of the Planning Regulator.

Adamstown SDZ West

One of the most important amendments secured during the process strengthened the infrastructure trigger
for future development at Adamstown SDZ West.
The original proposal linked development to DART+ South West commencing. Through amendments
supported by Council this was strengthened so that significant residential development cannot commence
until DART+ South West (or an equivalent rail service) is operational.
This provides a stronger safeguard to ensure major housing growth is linked to the delivery of strategic
public transport infrastructure. The Council specifically highlighted this amendment in its statutory letter
to the Office of the Planning Regulator.

Long-Term Planning for Adamstown

As part of the designation of Adamstown South & West (Outer) as a Strategic Development Area I also
worked to strengthen the planning framework by supporting additional Specific Local Objectives that
recognise the importance of delivering essential community infrastructure alongside future growth.
These objectives include recognition of the need to plan for services such as healthcare, community
facilities, leisure provision, transport infrastructure and community safety as the area develops.

A Balanced Approach

Planning is about more than delivering housing numbers. It is about creating sustainable communities
where transport, schools, healthcare, parks, recreation and public services grow alongside new homes.
Throughout Variation No. 2 I consistently argued for an “infrastructure first” approach supporting
appropriate development while ensuring communities are not expected to wait years for the facilities and
transport they need.
The final outcome demonstrated that constructive planning, detailed evidence and collaboration across the
Council can strengthen planning policy while continuing to support the long-term growth of South
Dublin.

MEETING OF LUCAN / PALMERSTOWN / NORTH CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
MOTION NO.3
MOTION: Councillor L. O’Toole
This committee requests that CE provides a detailed report regarding cleansing protocol of culverts along the Griffeen park and shores along the streets of Lucan village. How often are these cleansed & cleared of debris. With the high volume of rain lately the shores in Lucan village are regularly cleared out by local businesspeople. The committee seeks to have commitment from council that the necessary additional clearing of shores in the village are carried out by the council.
REPORT:
The road gullies in Lucan Village are cleaned on a scheduled basis by the contractor who provides the road sweeping service across the county, Oxigen Environmental Ltd. The service is provided on a yearly basis to the majority of the 45,000 road gullies in the county, with a percentage of these serviced twice or four times yearly as required. The gullies in Lucan Village are on the increased frequency of service with those gullies in the Village Green area and those on the main street between Village Green and the Liffey Bridge serviced four times per year. Gullies in all other locations in Lucan Village are serviced twice per year. The service provided includes the cleaning and testing of all gullies, where a gulley is cleaned but found not to be functioning the pipe connecting the gulley to the main drain is cleaned by the contractor and the gulley is then re-tested. If it is still not functioning the matter is referred to the Roads Dept to examine the condition of the main drain. As well as cleaning of gulley chambers it should be noted that the street cleaning and road sweeping which is carried out by both Public Realm staff and the road sweeping contractor should ensure that there is no build up of debris on the surface of the gulley which would interfere with it’s proper functioning. The leaf sweeping and removal service which is also provided by the road sweeping contractor and which operates during the period September 1st to January 31st also involves the removal of leaves from gullies in the village when requested.

The surface water channels in Griffeen Valley Park are monitored and inspected on a continuous basis with action taken as required to remove potential blockages to those channels. Particular attention is paid to any culverted crossings underneath paths and roads as these are most likely to become blocked. In advance of any forecasted storms or heavy rain these locations are inspected and potential blockages removed. It should be noted that certain locations within our public parks have been identified as attenuation areas and flooding will occur at such locations in certain circumstances, in order to prevent flooding at other more sensitive locations such as residential developments.

My involvement in the establishment of Griffeen Junior parkrun has been a fulfilling experience. As a local councillor for the Lucan area, I initiated a motion seeking support from South Dublin County Council to endorse this new, free amenity. Once the support was secured, I collaborated with the Event Director and facilitated the first meeting of interested volunteers at a local hotel.

There was a strong enthusiasm to kick-start the initiative, and since then, I have been actively engaged with the group as a regular volunteer. I’ve also taken on the role of Run Director on several occasions. Additionally, my daughter Cora has been a valuable contributor, stepping in as Run Director for both Griffeen parkrun and Griffeen Junior parkrun.

The journey of supporting and participating in Griffeen Junior parkrun has been immensely rewarding, and I look forward to supporting it in the future.

I initiated a Women’s Safety Event held at the Adamstown Youth & Community Centre.

As we entered the winter months, bringing darker mornings and evenings, and being an avid runner and walker, as well as a part of a running group, I recognized the need to unite women through a ‘safety talk for women running and walking during the dark periods.’ With the support of our local Gardaí, the community centre, and a guest speaker from a local Taekwondo club, we organized our first safety talk.

The event was well-attended by women in our area, who received a presentation from local community Gardaí Ann and Doangh, offering helpful slides and videos on the importance of being well-lit. Leigh Ann, a 4th Degree Black Belt from Grandmaster Douglas Taekwondo Schools, provided an informative talk on self-defence. The collaboration of everyone involved, including Gemma, the manager of Adamstown Youth and Community Centre, made this event possible.

The positive response to the event has led to requests for further talks, especially one tailored for teenagers. The success of this initiative highlights the importance of community collaboration in addressing safety concerns.