Development plan · Dublin City Council
Dublin City Development Plan 2022–2028 – Volume 1: Written Statement (as varied by Variations Nos. 1–11)
The council's development plan written statement: its strategy, policies, objectives and development standards.
Dublin City Council · 2022–2028 · 696 pages
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- Shape and Structure of the City | Chapter 4 121 for the assessment of such development. Appendix 3 also details the different classifications of building height in the city i.e. prevailing height in a given area; locally higher buildings (which are typically up to 50m); and landmark/tall buildings which are significant features in the cityscape. Landmark/Tall Buildings Dublin City Council acknowledges that taller landmark buildings can play an important visual role and can make a positive contribution to the skyline of a city. A landmark/tall building is defined as a building that is substantially taller than its surroundings and that causes a significant change to the skyline. As such, landmark/tall buildings shall be used to signal major urban functions such as high capacity public transport interchanges or to create a civic statement. Dublin City Council recognises the merit of taller buildings, including landmark/tall buildings, in a very limited number of locations, at a scale appropriate for Dublin. Accordingly, the spatial approach to landmark/tall buildings in the city is in essence to protect the vast majority of the city as a predominantly low-rise city, including established residential areas and conservation areas within the historic core, while also recognising the potential and the need for taller landmark buildings to deliver more sustainable compact growth. It is considered that landmark/tall buildings are most appropriately located in areas identified for large scale regeneration and redevelopment; that are well connected centres of employment; which have the capacity to create their own character and identity and where the existing character of the area would not be adversely impacted by the scale, mass and height of such tall building/s. Clustering of taller buildings of the type needed to promote significant densities of commercial and residential space are likely to be achieved in a limited number of areas only. In all cases, all proposals for enhanced scale and height, including landmark/tall buildings must respect their context and address the assessment criteria set out in Appendix 3, to ensure that such developments achieve high standards in relation to design, sustainability, amenity, impacts on the receiving environment and the protection or framing of important views. It is the Policy of Dublin City Council: SC14 Building Height Strategy To ensure a strategic approach to building height in the city that accords with The Urban Development and Building Height Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2018) and in particular, SPPR 1 to 4.
- Shape and Structure of the City | Chapter 4 122 It is the Policy of Dublin City Council: SC15 Building Height Uses To support the development of an adequate mix of uses in proposals for larger scale development which are increasing height or proposing a taller building in accordance with SPPR 2. SC16 Building Height Locations To recognise the predominantly low rise character of Dublin City whilst also recognising the potential and need for increased height in appropriate locations including the city centre, Strategic Development Zones, Strategic Development Regeneration Areas, Key Urban Villages and other locations as identified in Appendix 3, provided that proposals ensure a balance with the reasonable protection of existing amenities and environmental sensitivities, protection of residential amenity and the established character of the area. SC17 Building Height To protect and enhance the skyline of the city, and to ensure that all proposals with enhanced scale and height: ▪ follow a design led approach; ▪ include a masterplan for any site over 0.5ha (in accordance with the criteria for assessment set out in Appendix 3); ▪ make a positive contribution to the urban character of the city and that responds positively to the existing or emerging context; ▪ deliver vibrant and equitable neighbourhoods that are walkable, compact, green, accessible, mixed and balanced; ▪ Do not affect the safety of aircraft operations at Dublin Airport (including cranage); and ▪ have regard to the performance-based criteria set out in Appendix 3. All new proposals in the inner city must demonstrate sensitivity to the historic city centre, the River Liffey and quays, Trinity College, the cathedrals, Dublin Castle, the historic squares and the city canals, and to established residential areas and civic spaces of local and citywide importance.
- Shape and Structure of the City | Chapter 4 123 It is the Policy of Dublin City Council: SC18 Landmark/Tall Buildings To promote a co-ordinated approach to the provision of landmark/tall buildings through Local Area Plans, Strategic Development Zones and the Strategic Development and Regeneration Area principles, in order to prevent visual clutter or cumulative negative visual disruption of the skyline and that such proposals comply with the performance based criteria set out in Appendix 3. 4.5.5 Urban Design and Architecture Well-considered urban design and architecture, including use of high quality materials and finishes, and well-designed buildings, spaces and landscapes make a positive contribution to the urban environment and improve the environmental performance, competitiveness and attractiveness of the city. The quality of urban design and architecture improves economic value and is a key element in regeneration proposals. Good design can improve the experience of all the city’s communities in everyday life. Furthermore, it is important to consider the economic and environmental benefits of future-proofing the design of a building or project, if costs to retro-fit or re-design an existing scheme are to be avoided in the future. The City Council will strive to ensure exemplar design quality across the city, with the aim of achieving excellence in the ordinary, including the creation of new landmarks, streets and public spaces where appropriate. Quality design and healthy placemaking are core principles of the NPF and the RSES, improving quality of life for all. The strategic approach is also to ensure that the principles of healthy placemaking are embraced and that high quality urban design that supports active lifestyles through good quality pedestrian and cycle links, particularly to places of work, education and recreation are promoted. Placemaking and sustainable communities are also supported through the creation of vibrant, safe and accessible spaces which facilitate recreation and social interaction. The City Council will actively promote the adherence to such core principles. Design principles, policies and standards for urban design and architecture are set out in Chapter 15: Development Standards. Chapter 11: Built Heritage and Archaeology includes further guidance on development in Architectural Conservation Areas and protected structures.
- Shape and Structure of the City | Chapter 4 124 Figure 4-1: Key Views and Prospects
- Shape and Structure of the City | Chapter 4 125 A Design Statement should be submitted with all large scale residential and commercial developments including schemes in excess of 50 residential units and 1,000 sq. metres of commercial development setting out the development strategy for the site and providing details of the architectural and urban design approach. The statement should provide detail of how the development aligns with the Urban Design Manual – A Best Practice Guide 2009 and Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (2013). Further guidance on such Design Statements is set out in Chapter 15. It is the Policy of Dublin City Council: SC19 High Quality Architecture To promote development which positively contributes to the city’s built and natural environment, promotes healthy placemaking and incorporates exemplar standards of high-quality, sustainable and inclusive urban design and architecture befitting the city’s environment and heritage and its diverse range of locally distinctive neighbourhoods. SC20 Urban Design Promote the guidance principles set out in the Urban Design Manual – A Best Practice Guide and in the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (2019). SC21 Architectural Design To promote and facilitate innovation in architectural design to produce contemporary buildings which contribute to the city’s character and which mitigates and is resilient to, the impacts of climate change. SC22 Historical Architectural Character To promote understanding of the city’s historical architectural character to facilitate new development which is in harmony with the city’s historical spaces and structures. SC23 Design Statements That Design Statements shall be submitted for all large scale residential (+50 units) and commercial development proposals (+1,000 sq. m.) in accordance with the principles set out in Chapter 15. 4.5.6 The Public Realm A high-quality public realm makes the city a more attractive place to live, work and visit, and provides for an improved quality of life for all. It is an integral part of healthy placemaking as supported under the RSES. The public realm can have a very positive impact on Dublin’s competiveness with other city regions internationally, both for tourism and for investment.
- Shape and Structure of the City | Chapter 4 126 Improvements to the public realm in recent years include the renovation of Grafton Street and implementation of the Docklands Public Realm Masterplan. The ongoing implementation of Your City - Your Space’, Dublin City’s Public Realm Strategy (2012), will continue to result in significant upgrading of the city’s public realm. Proposals to improve the public realm will take account of the Urban Design Manual - A Companion Document to the Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas (Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, 2009) and the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (Department of Environment, Community and Local Government and Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, 2019). Accessibility is also a key issue, and ease of access to persons of all ages and abilities is a significant indicator as to how inclusive Dublin is as a city. A universal design approach will be adopted to ensure the public realm is accessible and inclusive for a range of users. It is desirable that the perceived extent of the city core expands over the coming years, due in part to very high footfall and relatively limited pedestrian space in the core. Proposals to create a new cultural quarter at Parnell Square, to include the re-location of the City Library from the ILAC Centre, redevelop Moore Street and its environs and to renovate and create a new food hall and café/restaurant destination at the Victorian Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Market at Mary’s Lane, will significantly expand the public’s perception of the city core, and will create new destination points in the city. The strengthening of links between the north and south retail core will also be a priority. The key objective will be to ensure that the City Council endorses the principles of healthy placemaking and continues to develop public realm strategies and to invest in the urban environment, in order to ensure that a coherent and walkable city centre is created which allows for ease of movement and is inviting to persons of all abilities. Further policies regarding the city’s public realm are set out in Chapter 7: The City Centre, Urban Villages and Retail.
- Shape and Structure of the City | Chapter 4 127 Picture by Saoirse Nic Uilliam, Gaelscoil Lios na n-Óg, Raghnallach
- Quality Housing and Sustainable Neighbourhoods | Chapter 5 128 Chapter 5: Quality Housing and Sustainable Neighbourhoods
- Quality Housing and Sustainable Neighbourhoods | Chapter 5 129 5.1 Introduction National and regional policy reinforces the need for ‘healthy placemaking’ and the delivery of well-designed, affordable, adaptable, infill and brownfield development close to existing services and facilities. Such development should be supported by universal design and improved urban amenities, including public spaces and parks, social and community infrastructure, as well as enhanced permeability, accessibility and connectivity. Creating and maintaining successful urban neighbourhoods to underpin sustainable communities requires the efficient use of land at densities which ensure the viability of a range of facilities, amenities, services and good public transport connections. All of these components should be set within a high quality built environment in order to enhance liveability and create a good quality of life for all. The provision of affordable, accessible, quality homes and sustainable community infrastructure which meets the needs of the city’s population and which contribute to the making of good, connected neighbourhoods is a key priority of the development plan. It is acknowledged that quality neighbourhoods are responsive to the needs of local communities, play an important role in quality of life factors and foster a wider sense of community and active citizenship. 5.2 Achievements The City Council encourages residential development through its proactive land management policies and planning frameworks. In the period since the adoption of the 2016 Plan, the city has seen a significant increase in the delivery of new housing with 9,459 dwellings completed in the Dublin City Council area between Q1 2017 and Q4 2021. In addition, since 2015, over 7,500 public housing units have been delivered with another 11,491 units currently in the pipeline. The Council has been successful in planning for new neighbourhoods and creating new communities at Ashtown-Pelletstown and Clongriffin- Belmayne in the city’s northern suburbs and in North Lotts and Grand Canal Dock, through regeneration of the city’s historic docklands area. The City Council plays a key role in funding, delivering and running community facilities and services across the city. It provides a broad range of indoor and outdoor community amenities including over 1,500 hectares of parks, over a 100 children’s playgrounds and over 20 public libraries. It invests every year in new social infrastructure and upgrades and improves a wide range of existing social infrastructure through capital projects including public realm upgrades, sports facility refurbishments and enhancements to public parks. The Council also implements a wide range of strategies relating to disability, ageing and integration and has statutory responsibilities relating to disability, travellers and people experiencing exclusion. The Council have delivered a number of community projects on its publicly owned lands including the development of the new Le Fanu skate/bike park in
- Quality Housing and Sustainable Neighbourhoods | Chapter 5 130 Ballyfermot, a purpose-built public park at Weaver Square in the Liberties, a community city farm at St. Anne’s Park, Raheny and the refurbishment of Kevin Street Library in Dublin 8. The Council recently developed and launched its innovative Culture Near You tool, an online GIS-based map of culture in Dublin City that will enable a more robust and evidence-based approach to decision-making on the use and roll-out of new social and community infrastructure in the city in the future. The Council has been pioneering in the area of civic engagement and active citizenship, creating the Public Participation Network and Your Dublin Your Voice opinion panel as a way to engage citizens in local decision making, facilitating them to take a more active role in influencing Council plans and policies. 5.3 Challenges With significant population growth forecast, Dublin City must consider how best to plan for new and growing communities and an increasingly diverse as well as ageing population. It is important that the city has adequate social and affordable housing that is attractive to all. There is a necessity to provide high quality, appropriately managed, sustainable, adaptable housing units with good levels of amenity that readily provide for changing needs over time including the needs of families with children, older people and disabled persons. The development plan includes a socially inclusive housing strategy for the existing and future population of the city including the needs of those that require social housing. The Housing Strategy (Appendix 1) indicates that there is sufficient, well-serviced land to meet the housing targets set out in the core strategy. There remains however, ongoing challenges in terms of housing delivery in the city. There is a pressing need to facilitate a significant increase in affordable housing output whilst creating high quality accommodation to address a range of housing issues including homelessness. There is also a need to ensure that there is a corresponding level of social and community infrastructure provision to match the rate of population growth planned for Dublin city over the plan period. This will require the creation of sustainable communities and compact neighbourhoods that are well served by social infrastructure at a neighbourhood level. The co-ordinated provision of a range of facilities and services to cater for all, such as schools, care centres, cultural and community spaces, will require an inter-agency response to ensure the timely provision of such social infrastructure. It will also be essential to ensure that community facilities and services between neighbourhoods and communities are optimised throughout the city. 5.4 The Strategic Approach The delivery of quality homes and sustainable communities in the compact city is a key issue for our citizens and ensuring that Dublin remains competitive as a place to live and invest in.
Source Dublin City Council: Dublin City Development Plan 2022–2028 – Volume 1: Written Statement (as varied by Variations Nos. 1–11) (2022–2028) · Licence the publisher's termsText read from the publisher’s PDF; tables, maps and drawings do not survive as text, and page numbers are the PDF’s (its first page is 1). Check the original before relying on a passage.