Planned improvements to Martin Savage Park have been delayed.
A recent meeting of the Central Area Committee heard that the planned improvements to the park have hit a roadblock in the form of that old chestnut, internal planning delays.
A planned part 8 submission on behalf of the Council was not made ahead of the meeting, as reports were not complete.
The improvements, which include plans for 130 X 70 m all weather /astro surface, a childrens playground; floodlighting of the senior grass GAA pitch and widening and public lighting of the pavement which parallels the railway, have missed a deadline.
Leslie Moore, Head of parks, biodiversity and landscape services at Dublin City Council, said reports from consultants are “still being collated” and there is an on-going consultation with other departments of Dublin City Council to “inform the final proposals and plan.”
The Council insist that the short delay will have “no impact on the timeline for construction in 2024,” but local Councillors expressed their displeasure at the delay.
Fianna Fáil Councillor Eimer McCormack said she was “deeply disappointed” at the delays.
“Having read the agenda for the meeting, the Plan 8 for the Martin Savage Park is not on the agenda; this being promised to committee members and the public over recent weeks has now faced delays.”
“Local residents, club members, and the public at large are very interested in this project and require an update.”
Independent Councillor Cieran Perry said that the “ideal situation” in this instance would be a public consultation on the project.
Social Democrats Councillor Cat O’Driscoll told the meeting she only found out the park was not on the agenda for the meeting after the agenda was published on the Dublin City Council website, and received numerous WhatsApp messages from local residents.
“For us to have trust in a public consultation process, the communications need to be of a much better quality. The frustration at this stage is exhausting. If the park is not on the agenda for the November meeting, I’m at a loss for what we’re supposed to do.”
Sinn Féin Councillor Seamus McGrattan, who was chairing the meeting, said the issue will be on the agenda for the November meeting.