Details of new Southside community to be revealed

A NEW community consisting of a reported 8,000 homes planned for South County Dublin will have a central role to play in addressing the demand for new housing in Dublin, it was announced last week.

On Friday, September 22 Mayor Paul Gogarty will officially launch the Clonburris Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) draft plan.

The planning scheme will guide the future growth of the SDZ lands, located at the heart of South Dublin County.

A six-week public consultation period will then take place until Friday, November 3.

 The SDZ lands, comprising approximately 280 hectares, are located between the established communities of Lucan, Clondalkin and Liffey Valley.

The lands have been designated by the Government as a Major Urban Housing Development Site and South Dublin County Council planner say they are confident that the Clonburris SDZ will have a central role to play in addressing the demand for new housing in Dublin.

 “The Draft Planning Scheme for the SDZ lands aims to achieve a shared outlook for the future development of the new community at Clonburris,” the council stated.

“The scale and potential of the SDZ lands, together with existing unique selling points, which include the Grand Canal, Griffeen Valley Park, and the Kildare rail line, offer an excellent starting point for the development of a forward thinking, innovative and vibrant community in South County Dublin.

“The scheme will include the provision of three primary and three post primary chools while approximately 98 per cent of residents will be able to access a bus stop within 400m or a train station within 800m, thereby significantly reducing dependence on the private car.”

The lands will also be serviced by two train stations, at Kishoge and Clondalkin/Fonthill, approximately a 15-minute train journey from Dublin City Centre.

The lands are also well connected to the N4 and N7 national routes by three regional roads, including the Outer Ring Road.

Daniel McLoughlin, Chief Executive of South Dublin County Council, added: “The co-ordinated development of the lands at Clonburris represents an opportunity for South County Dublin to directly respond to the demand for new housing in the capital.

“The Draft Planning Scheme for the Strategic Development Zone will allow for the construction of housing in close coordination with the delivery of public transport infrastructure, schools, community facilities, parks, retail and employment related development.”

 Mayor Paul Gogarty said the success of the Clonburris Strategic Development Zone depends on the active participation of communities, businesses, residents and members of the public.

He said: “I would encourage all interested parties and the public to engage in this public consultation process, in particular through the dedicated website, www.clonburris.ie, where a range of information is available and from which online submissions can be made.”

Cllr Francis Timmons welcomed the fact that South Dublin County Council was now in a position to publish the draft SDZ next week.

“There have been several delays while people wait on the long housing list, live in overcrowding and are desperate to be housed by the council or be able to buy privately,” he said.

“This SDZ could deliver over 8,000 new homes. I do have concerns in relation to traffic congestion and community facilities but with over 8,300 people on the council’s housing list and thousands more desperate to buy a home, I will be working with the council to to ensure it is a viable and substainable community.”

Cllr Timmons added: “There were also 462 people on the homeless list at the end of July, of which 254 are singles. The needs in this area are great and many.

“All too often we have seen housing delivered with no community facilities and I will be looking for South Dublin County Council to deliver on play spaces and other community facilities in tandem with the building of the homes.

“I look forward to the traffic impact reports, which I am told are currently being prepared, and a clear and realistic plan on how the council  will deal with this.

“I urge all residents and concerned people to make submissions to the council  when the public consultation process is launched and also give feedback to their local councillors.

“It’s important that this is done right and that all opinions are listened to.

“At present the area is blighted by anti-social activity and has been used for burning out cars and animal cruelty, which must be prevented and eliminated in our area.

“We need to work together with South Dublin County Council to ensure that the Clonburris SDZ delivers on many levels. I will be keeping a very close eye on developments.”