At a meeting of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council yesterday evening local Green Party councillor Oisín O’Connor (Glencullen-Sandyford) welcomed the approval of the new Sandyford Civic Park at the corner of Corrig Road and Carmanhall Road in Sandyford.
The new park will be located a stone’s throw from thousands of homes, workplaces, schools and the Stillorgan Luas stop.
The designs promise a green, tree-lined space with a bandstand and a large central lawn, flexible for hosting events and markets.
Speaking at yesterday’s council meeting, Green Party Councillor Oisín O’Connor said: “This new park will be the beating heart of our community.
“The designers really took on board the input from local residents and workers and I want to congratulate them on a job well done.”
Speaking further on the wider context to the Sandyford Civic Park, Cllr O’Connor said “Safe green spaces to socialise and stay active is long overdue in this part of Sandyford.
“It’s simple: if we give approval for more apartment-building we need to secure the amenities and infrastructure to match.
“Official figures show that 4,730 homes were built in Glencullen-Sandyford in the past 10 years, the most of any area in Ireland and there are thousands more on the way it seems.
“I want to acknowledge the submissions from people who use the Enable Ireland adult day services, the Gracie Barra Jiu Jitsu Gym and Yoga Lab who have very real concerns about the need to take down their building as part of delivering the park.
“They’re already the beating heart of the community and we have a long road ahead to support them in continuing their great contribution to Sandyford.
“I’ll be honest, my support for this project hinged on reassurances that they will be looked after.
“I’ve worked closely with all concerned so far and I’ll keep a close eye on this as the park progresses to make sure.”
The Sandyford Civic Park was approved through a ‘Part 8’ process whereby the Council seeks planning permission approval from itself for a development.
The process concluded at yesterday’s meeting following a period of public consultation.