Huge homes boost in LAP

THE adoption of a new local area plan (LAP) last week is expected to deliver around 1,000 new homes to the Dublin 15 area.

Local councillors voted overwhelming in favour of the Barnhill LAP, which covers 46 hectares of land to the southwest of Blanchardstown and next to Hansfield railway station, at the council’s full monthly meeting.

The lands will be accessed by the new Ongar-Barnhill Road, which has already been approved after undergoing a public consultation process.

As well as providing mixed tenure housing, the development of Barnhill LAP will include an extensive range of social and community infrastructure.

This includes a large recreational park that will be developed to feature a formal playing field, a multi-use games area, a skatepark and a playground.

A new school and childcare facilities are also included in the plan.

Adoption of the LAP follows extensive consultation with residents and local stakeholders. A pre-draft public consultation process was first held in 2017.

Director of Planning and Strategic Infrastructure at Fingal County Council, AnnMarie Farrelly said the LAP provides the framework for planned, coordinated and sustainable development of a new, diverse community in Fingal.

“Barnhill presents an opportunity to positively contribute towards the economic and social development of the wider urban fabric of the Greater Dublin Area,” she continued.

“It is a strategic aim of the LAP to create sustainable communities through the integration of a new community with the community currently being established in surrounding areas such as Hansfield. 

“The vision for Barnhill is to create a place to live that is appealing, distinctive and sustainable, maximising the opportunities provided by the surrounding natural environment for improved amenities and the enhancement of biodiversity.”

Senior Planner Colm McCoy said the Barnhill area would cater for a diverse range of housing and tenure to cater for the needs of a growing population and to ensure social inclusion.

“The LAP will do this by offering choice through good place making, underpinned by new road, water and communication infrastructure and sustainable modes of transport as part of the LAP’s green infrastructure strategy,” he added.