Lucan village redevelopment plan divides local residents

Lucan locals and business owners have branded a planned a €2 million renovation of the village a “disgrace” in submissions to South Dublin County Council.

The revamp will improve pedestrian paths in the area and develop more cycle lanes while 11 car parking space will be removed.

Electricity and phone cables will also be diverted underground and a new “shared space” for pedestrians will be constructed beside the village green.

A park on the south end of the village will be overhauled to create a green with an “amphitheatre-style space” and bandstand, too.

At the time of writing over 320 submissions commenting on the plans have been made to the local authority.

According to the observations, people are divided over the issue with many expressing strong opinions in favour and against the proposal.

Some people say that the scheme would “destroy” local businesses, increase anti-social behaviour, and turn the village into a “mini Temple Bar”.

“Can SDCC stop with the vanity project of Lucan village,” one submission says.

“It will lead to more traffic chaos like Newcastle Road/ Hillcrest estate.

“How will people access the village? Where will people park? Do you expect the elderly to cycle and walk? SDCC want to ruin our village and history.”

One submission said that traffic congestion was “non-existent” in Lucan so thus, the development was not necessary and the proposal “will deface the village with cycle lanes”.

Another person says that the plans will restrict local residents’ access to a medical centre while another one said it will turn Lucan into a “pedestrian wasteland.”

However, those in support of the plans say that the village “desperately needs investment” and a “reorganisation from a traffic perspective.”

The partial pedestrianisation of the village would “make it a nicer place to spend time,” one person says.

“It isn’t a drive through.

“People should be able to walk around, or cycle around, it shouldn’t be as dominated by cars as it is now. Lucan village should be a destination.”

Another submission says that “as a car and cycle user of the village, the removal of a small number of car spaces to enable this is worth it in my opinion.

“It will make the village space more attractive as a destination and as a shared space.”

A leaflet circulated locally by Lucan Village Business Group is urging people to oppose the plans saying that the council will “remove up to 60 parking spaces” from Main Street.

“This will destroy businesses in the village and deny patients access to essential medical services,” it says.

However, South Dublin County Council says that Main Street would be resurfaced and 37 existing car parking spaces will be removed, with the provision of 16 new spaces on the street.

This will include three disability spaces, and another 10 spaces within 100 metres of the street.

Local Labour councillor Joanna Tuffy said she was concerned people were making submissions based on misinformation.

“I think this plan will make the village safer and more accessible,” she says.

“But the most important thing is that people know what’s in the plan: this is not pedestrianisation, there are no restrictions on traffic, and a net loss of just 11 parking spaces.”

“Contrary to information on a leaflet being delivered around Lucan that SDCC plans to remove up to 60 parking places from Lucan Main Street, the net loss of spaces under these plans will be 11 spaces.”

The council said it had recently held meetings with stakeholders which were attended by representatives of the business group.