Ballymun plan goes back on display

THE latest draft Ballymun Local Area Plan (LAP) is open again to the public for submissions and observations following amendments made last month.

The LAP will shape the area’s economic, social, environmental and physical character for the next decade and it’s the first major plan since 1997 when Ballymun Regeneration Ltd (BRL) was established.

Now that BRL has been wound down and Dublin City Council is again responsible for the area a new LAP is needed for the area to replace the 1998 Ballymun Masterplan.

The plan is approaching completion having gone through a number of phases including previous invitations to the public to have their say.

Last month local councillors voted to approve the plan and residents now have a final chance to view the draft LAP and make submissions until August 28.

If the plan is approved at a full council meeting, Ballymun could benefit from almost 2,000 new homes, a second level Gaelscoil and more facilities for local sporting clubs including Setanta, Ballymun Kickhams and Willows FC.

Under the LAP, some land will also be set aside for affordable Co-op housing similar to the scheme by O’Cualann Cohousing alliance, which was officially launched last month.

It’s planned to include homes of mixed income and mixed tenure.

There are also aspirations to bring Ballymun Kickhams back into the heart of the area, provide more land for Setanta GAA and develop the old red barn site on Jamestown Road for soccer facilities.

It’s proposed to facilitate the relocation of Kickhams from their current home in Collinstown, to Ballymun, and explore the possibility of a new council owned sports facility near Balcurris.

The council also accepted calls from local councillors to explore the possibility of obtaining

‘network Gaeltacht’ status from the Department of Arts Heritage and Gaeltachta Affairs. This would mean Ballymun becoming an official Irish language hub if a second level Irish school is built in the area as proposed in the plan.

There are currently two Irish speaking schools in the area and pupils would be able to continue their education through Irish if a second level school was built.

The council also wants more shopping facilities in the area as well as a city farm, a skateboard park and an all-weather astro pitch with lights at the rear of Trinity Comprehensive School to be developed under the new LAP. 

The LAP is now on display at the Ground Floor, Civic Offices, Wood Quay, Dublin 8 and the Atrium, Ballymun Civic Centre.

Documents can also be viewed online at www.dublincity.ie/BallymunLAP.