Ballymun plan takes step closer

A NEW local area plan (LAP) for Ballymun took a step closer last week after Dublin City Council reported on submissions made during a recent consultation period.

The new LAP will shape the area’s future and a series of information sessions on the plan took place in the Civic Centre on Main Street late last year.

The council says the LAP will help safeguard “significant investment” made in the area during the regeneration and ensure the project is finally brought to a successful conclusion.

The plan is currently being formulated and officials are trying to identify local issues that need to be addressed from the point of view of residents, businesses and other interested stakeholders.

The recent consultation period was carried out to give locals a chance to have their say on the plan and 29 submissions were made.

According to the council’s report on the submissions, there was a desire expressed to improve Ballymun’s image, create a focal point in the area and provide local employment.

“The disappointment regarding the lack of development on the shopping centre lands and the poor retail offering was clearly conveyed in the submissions,” the report reads.

“Demolishing the shopping centre and the adjoining buildings is seen as one of the priority projects for the area and developing a proper Main Street.

“Additional measures are needed to tackle anti-social behaviour, especially for young people. Education and employment are viewed as two key drivers in addressing this issue and achieving successful social regeneration.”

Local Sinn Féin councillor, Noeleen Reilly, said the submissions to the LAP brought up a number of common issues, including strengthening the economic role of the area, reviewing housing models and developing transport links.

“For me two of most important outcomes of the LAP must be the development of the town centre where people can shop and socialise in their local community,” she said.

“The regeneration was not successful in the economic development of the area and it has fallen further back in recent times. 

“A recent retail study conducted in Ballymun showed only 10 per cent of residents actually shop in the area. This has to change, but can only change if we deliver the services and retail facilities for people in Ballymun.

“The other area that needs to be looked at is housing. There has been much debate among local representatives on the ban of rent allowance in the area as well as the ban on the building of any more social housing.

“The creation of jobs in Ballymun will lessen the reliance on social housing, therefore job creation must be top of the agenda. “Whoever the new Government is, they must ensure that the regeneration is completed in Ballymun and the same old mistakes are not made again.”

The council now plans to proceed to the draft stage of the LAP, which when completed will be presented to the Local Area Committee later this year.

The council’s LAP team will continue to consult and meet with relevant stakeholders and State bodies up to publication of the draft plan.

It will then be put on public display and locals will have another chance to have a say.