Development plan · South Dublin County Council
South Dublin County Development Plan 2022–2028 – Written Statement
The council's development plan written statement: its strategy, policies, objectives and development standards. Variations adopted since are not in this text.
South Dublin County Council · 2022–2028 · 584 pages
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- SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022-2028308Community Infrastructure and Open Space (COS) COS5 Objective 2: To support the implementation of South Dublin County Parks and Open Space Strategy and to ensure that the provision, upgrade, design, and maintenance of public open space is in accordance with the Strategy. COS5 Objective 3: To support the implementation and expansion of the Council’s TeenSpace Programme (2021) and the implementation of the Sports Pitch Strategy (2020) or any superseding documents. 8.7.2 Public Open Space Hierarchy The public open space hierarchy outlined below reflects the main elements of the existing parks and open space network within the County and sets out a framework for future provision identifying the range of functions at each level in the hierarchy. Public open space, for the purposes of this Development Plan, is open space which has purposefully been designed and laid out for the use of the public. This may include smaller open spaces in residential areas or larger spaces at local, neighbourhood or regional level within the open space hierarchy. It may also provide for different open space functions linked to location and size. Public open space is generally owned and maintained by the Council but in some instances, typically smaller spaces in residential areas, it may be managed or owned by a management company but accessible to the public. Many of our open space areas are long established, as part of permissions for housing estates or through the acquisition of lands by the Council or others. New public open space is generally provided through the planning process by the identification of public open space in Local Area Plans or Strategic Development Zones and through the attachment of planning conditions for residential or other types of development. The key characteristics and types of Public Open Space within the hierarchy for South Dublin County are set out in Table 8.1.
- SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022-2028309Community Infrastructure and Open Space (COS) Table 8.1: Public Open Space Hierarchy Park Type Features Green Infrastructure Regional Parks These large public parks vary between 100 to 200ha in size, generally serving areas within a 5km radius, but also catering for users across the County and as a destination for tourists. Generally, they contain natural heritage, built heritage or cultural features and visitor facilities. Activities may include formal and informal children’s play areas, walkways and cycleways, seating and passive recreation areas, playing pitches (including all-weather pitches), and changing rooms, running tracks and allotments. They should be easily accessed by public transport and cycling, with adequate provision of bicycle and car parking. The regional parks in South Dublin County are Griffeen Valley Park, Corkagh Park, Dodder Valley Park and Tymon Park. Typically, there should be a regional park located within 5km of all homes in the County. Regional parks form a key element of the County level strategic green infrastructure (GI) network, contributing to important green corridors passing through urban areas and connecting to rural and upland areas. They often contain significant biodiversity and water management features such as water courses, SuDS, ponds, marshlands and meadows, wooded areas and hedgerows. There are considerable opportunities for strengthening the GI potential of these parks through further biodiversity enhancements. Neighbourhood Parks Neighbourhood Parks generally range in size from approximately 20 to 50ha (occasionally up to 100ha) in size. They are accessible by pedestrians and cyclists and can contain a wide variety of facilities and uses which may include playing pitches, and changing rooms relating to outdoor facilities and activities, play facilities, outdoor gyms, walking and cycling routes. Examples of Neighbourhood Parks in South Dublin County include Ballymount, Cookstown, Sean Walsh, Rathcoole, and Waterstown Parks. Neighbourhood parks serve a neighbourhood catchment within 800m. Neighbourhood parks can incorporate a range of GI features, such as marshlands, meadow parklands, and community gardens, and informal biodiversity rich planting areas. There are considerable opportunities for strengthening the biodiversity value through sensitive enhancement schemes and by creating linkages via local level strategic corridors to the County-wide GI network.
- SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022-2028310Community Infrastructure and Open Space (COS) Local Parks / Open Spaces Local parks range in size from between 2 to 20ha. They provide mostly for amenity and passive recreation, although some may have playing pitches and play equipment; they are located in close proximity to homes and thereby easily accessible by pedestrians and cyclists. Examples of local parks in South Dublin County are Vessey and Hermitage Parks in Lucan, Ballycragh Park, Firhouse Community Centre Park and Quarryvale Park. Local Parks serve a local population within a 400m catchment. These parks primarily consist of improved grassland but offer considerable opportunities for contributing to the local level GI network through enhancement schemes that include native trees, small woodlands, hedgerows, meadows and other planting. Small Parks / Open Spaces Small parks (between 0.2 and 2ha) provide important amenity and recreation facilities. They provide mostly for amenity and passive recreation and may incorporate small scale play facilities. Small parks serve an area within 300m catchment of the local neighbourhood population. Currently GI features tend to be limited, as most areas comprise improved grassland with occasional hedgerows or trees. There are opportunities to strengthen the biodiversity value of these parks through native tree planting and pollinator-friendly planting and management. Smaller Residential Open Spaces These smaller open spaces are up to 0.2ha (2000 sq m) in size. They are usually provided as the smaller areas of public open space within a residential development but do not include grass verges, narrow strips of planting or incidental or ‘left over’ open space. They provide informal play / recreation activities usually for smaller children and have a visual and social function also. ‘Amenity Green Spaces’ as defined in the Parks and Open Space include smaller residential open spaces. All homes should be within 100m of this or another type of accessible open space. No contributions in lieu will be acceptable. Smaller open spaces serve as stepping stones within the wider GI network. Civic Spaces / Squares These important spaces vary in size (mostly less than 0.2ha) and include civic areas and market squares and other hard surfaced and soft areas. They serve a neighbourhood function and are designed for pedestrian movement and social interaction in urban settings. There are opportunities to strengthen the GI and biodiversity value of these spaces through SuDS features and native tree and pollinatorfriendly planting.
- SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022-2028311Community Infrastructure and Open Space (COS) 8.7.3 Quantity of Public Open Space South Dublin County has a wide variety of public open space distributed throughout the County. The aggregate area of public open space in the County is over 1500 hectares with the spaces varying greatly in size and landscape character. In addition, the residents of South Dublin County also have access to extensive areas of smaller residential open spaces which have a more informal amenity function, contribute to green corridors and enhance the overall visual amenity of an area. The overall standard for public open space is 2.4 hectares per 1,000 population. This will be applied to all developments with a residential element. Within that standard, there are specified percentages as set out in Table 8.2 which must, as a minimum, be provided on site. Only in exceptional defined circumstances, as set out in the objectives below, will flexibility be provided for. Table 8.2: Public Open Space Standards Land Use Public Open Space Standards (minimum) Overall Standard 2.4 Ha per 1,000 Population New Residential Development on Lands Zone RES-N Minimum 15% of site area New Residential Development on Lands in Other Zones including mixed use Minimum 10% of site area Institutional Lands / ‘Windfall’ Sites Minimum 20% of site area Institutional lands or ‘windfall sites’ generally comprise large institutional buildings set in open space that in some cases may already be available as an amenity to the wider community. The Sustainable Residential Developments in Urban Areas, Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2009) require these sites to be developed in such a manner as to retain their open character and recommend that 20% of the site area should be set aside for open space. 8.7.4 Delivery of Public Open Space and Contributions in Lieu The Council’s general intent is to ensure a minimum provision of public open space on site, within the relevant zoning, as set out under Table 8.2 Public Open Space Standards. The Council may, in certain circumstances and at its sole discretion, allow for an element of open space to be located off-site where it exceeds the minimum on-site requirements. Alternatively, the Council may in certain circumstances and at its sole discretion, determine a financial contribution in lieu of all, or part of, the public open space requirement for a particular development. These circumstances may include (but are not limited to) situations where public open space requirements cannot be
- SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022-2028312Community Infrastructure and Open Space (COS) met on site in full or partially because: à the provision of open space would be so small that it would not be viable due to the size, shape, configuration or context of the site; à an element of off-site provision would better facilitate the proposed development and allow for the improvement of existing open space or improvements to the GI Network located in the vicinity of the site. Any contributions in lieu of public open space will be calculated in accordance with the South Dublin County Council Development Contribution Scheme prepared under Section 48, of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 (as amended). COS5 Objective 4: To require the provision of public open space as part of a proposed development site area in accordance with the Public Open Space Standards (minimum) set out in Table 8.2. The Council has the discretion for the remaining open space requirement to achieve the overall standard of 2.4 ha per 1,000 population, to allow for the provision or upgrading of small parks, local parks and neighbourhood parks outside the development site area, subject to the open space or facilities meeting the open space ‘accessibility from homes’ standards for each public open space type set out in Table 8.1. In exceptional circumstances where the provision or upgrade of small parks, local parks and neighbourhood parks is not achievable, the Council has the discretion for the remaining open space requirement to allow provision or upgrade of Regional Parks, to achieve the overall standard of 2.4 ha per 1,000 population, subject to the Regional Park meeting the open space ‘accessibility from homes’ standard set out in Table 8.1.
- SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022-2028313Community Infrastructure and Open Space (COS) COS5 Objective 5: To require the provision of public open space as part of a proposed development site area in accordance with the Public Open Space Standards (minimum) set out in Table 8.2. The Council has the discretion to accept a financial contribution in lieu of any remaining open space requirement to achieve the overall standard of 2.4 ha per 1,000 population, such contribution being held solely for the purpose of the acquisition or upgrading of small parks, local parks and neighbourhood parks subject to the open space or facilities meeting the open space ‘accessibility from homes’ standards for each public open space type specified in Table 8.1. In exceptional circumstances where the provision or upgrade of small parks, local parks and neighbourhood parks is not achievable, the Council has the discretion to accept a financial contribution in lieu of the remaining open space requirement to allow provision or upgrade of Regional Parks, subject to the Regional Park meeting the open space ‘accessibility from homes’ standard specified in Table 8.1. Where the Council accepts financial contributions in lieu of open space, the total contribution shall be calculated on the basis of the costs set out in the applicable Development Contribution Scheme, in addition to the development costs of the open space. COS5 Objective 6: To require that public open space calculations be based on an occupancy rate of 3.5 persons in the case of dwellings with three or more bedrooms and 1.5 persons in the case of dwellings with two or fewer bedrooms. COS5 Objective 7: To require at the sole discretion of the Planning Authority a pro rata contribution in lieu of provision of public open space where, due to the small size, configuration or location of a particular development or on sites with less than three units it is not possible to provide functional public open space on site. 8.7.5 Quality of Public Open Space The provision of high quality public open space that is appropriately designed, located and maintained is a key element of placemaking. Public open space should have active and passive recreational value and should enhance the identity and amenity of an area. The Sustainable Residential Developments in Urban Areas, Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2009) require Planning Authorities to put a greater emphasis on the quality of public open space. Access All neighbourhood areas should have access to a range of formal and informal public open spaces for amenity, recreation, sports and play. Public open spaces should be designed and located to be publicly accessible by sustainable means such as walking, cycling and public transport depending on the type of open space and should be
- SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022-2028314Community Infrastructure and Open Space (COS) usable by all residents of the County. Adequate access points should be provided to open spaces to minimise distances to the areas they serve. Insofar as possible, open spaces should be linked to one another to increase their amenity value, encourage active travel between them and to facilitate the green infrastructure network. Continuous walls and other barriers between public open spaces should be avoided. Recreation Facilities Public open space should be designed to offer a variety of both active and passive recreation which is accessible to all, irrespective of age or ability. Incidental areas of open space will not be accepted as part of functional open space for the purposes of calculations. The Council is committed to continued improvement of quality and provision of recreation facilities through implementation of the Council’s Parks and Open Spaces Strategy (forthcoming, 2022), TeenSpace Programme (2021) and Sports Pitch Strategy (2020) (and any superseding strategies). In addition, under the Play Space Programme (2014-2020), the Council provided innovative play spaces based on natural play in parks and public open spaces throughout the County. The Council will continue to provide for play as part of future programmes and will also continue to require developers to provide for play as part of residential and mixeduse developments. Green Infrastructure, Biodiversity and Sustainable Water Management Parks and open spaces should be located to connect with each other so as to create green corridors and optimise their green infrastructure function. Existing trees, hedgerows and watercourses should be retained to maximise the natural setting of parks and open spaces. Planting should comprise native and pollinator-friendly species. Sustainable water management in the form of features such as integrated constructed wetlands, ponds, swales and basins should be incorporated within public open spaces and add to the amenity and biodiversity value of the spaces (appropriate to level within the public open space hierarchy). Accessibility Age friendly and disability friendly measures should be incorporated into the overall design and layout of public open spaces, such as the provision of appropriate information, suitable path surfaces and seating at appropriate intervals or other types of rest stops. Facilities, equipment and information materials should be accessible for all regardless of age or ability. Safety Public open space should feel safe to the user and have adequate supervision by way of passive surveillance (for example, windows overlooking the space; footpaths, cycleways and streets running through or beside the space). Smaller parks and open spaces should be visible from and accessible to the maximum number of residential units. Boundary treatment, public lighting and planting should be designed carefully to create a sense of security and to avoid opportunities for anti-social behaviour. Access points to parks should be maximised to increase use and thereby improve safety. Inhospitable and inaccessible open space comprising narrow tracts, backlands, incidental or ‘left-over’ strips of land should be designed out of all schemes.
- SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022-2028315Community Infrastructure and Open Space (COS) COS5 Objective 8: To ensure the design of parks and public open space areas is of high quality; to provide a pleasant setting, accommodate use by people of all ages and abilities, to support life-long activity and good health and well-being by the provision of a balanced mix of active and passive recreation and access to, or view of, nature, ensuring that the design considers: à provision of an appropriate mix of hard and soft surfaced areas; à enhancement of biodiversity and existing trees and hedgerows; à incorporation of water courses, other natural features and existing built heritage into the design of parks and open spaces as appropriate; à provision of new planting, landscape features and appropriate site furniture including a variety of accessible, well located and designed seating. COS5 Objective 9: To ensure that parks and public open space are appropriately located within the County and within development sites, to facilitate and support its multifunctional role. COS5 Objective 10: To support and facilitate the key role of parks and open spaces in relation to green infrastructure including sustainable drainage systems (SuDS), flood management, biodiversity and carbon absorption and to promote connections between public open spaces and the wider GI network. COS5 Objective 11: To promote the role of parks and open spaces in conserving and restoring biodiversity and ecosystems in accordance with the objectives of the National Biodiversity Action Plan (2017-2021) and the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan (2021- 2025), the Council’s Biodiversity Action Plan (2020-2026) or any superseding plans. In the development of individual management plans for parks the requirements of the aforementioned biodiversity and pollinator plans will be taken into consideration and will form a part of the management requirements for the park. The development of individual management plans for parks will include consultation with local stakeholders. COS5 Objective 12: To ensure that proposed SuDS measures are only accepted as an element of public open space where they are natural in form and integrate well into the open space landscape supporting a wider amenity and biodiversity value. COS5 Objective 13: To ensure that parks and open spaces provide for a wide range of recreational and amenity activities that are easily accessible to all in the community, irrespective of age or ability.
- SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022-2028316Community Infrastructure and Open Space (COS) COS5 Objective 14: To ensure that public open space and associated recreational facilities are accessible by walking, cycling and public transport, as appropriate to their position within the open space hierarchy set out in Table 8.1 and include safe bicycle parking spaces at appropriate locations. COS5 Objective 15: To support the development of passive recreation within open spaces, such as walking trails, seating provision and areas which provide for passive amenity / hobbies, and visual interest. COS5 Objective 16: To ensure that parks and public open spaces are carefully designed as safe spaces, by implementing the following measures: à Providing active frontages and maximising passive surveillance from adjacent housing and / or public thoroughfares; à Eliminating buildings which back-on or gable-front public open spaces; à Designing corner units with active frontage; à Encouraging increased use through improved access and quality of facilities’; à Careful location, design and choice of surface materials and site furniture. COS5 Objective 17: To ensure that incidental areas of open space which do not function as useable open space and / or are not clearly visible from the public realm, are designed out of a proposed scheme. COS5 Objective 18: To ensure that incidental areas of open space and areas immediately underneath high voltage electricity lines are not included in open space calculations. 8.7.6 Play Facilities Children should have access to safe and secure outdoor play opportunities that are accessible from their homes. Children’s play areas include traditional playgrounds with formal play equipment and natural play spaces with natural features that promote informal play. In this regard, the Council’s innovative Play Space Programme (2014-2020) has delivered natural play spaces in parks and open spaces at locations close to residential areas throughout the County. The Council will require children’s play areas to be provided as an integral part of the design and delivery of new residential and mixed-use developments, addressed as part of a landscape plan, according to the minimum requirements set out in Chapter 12: Implementation and Monitoring.
- SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022-2028317Community Infrastructure and Open Space (COS) COS5 Objective 19: To support the provision within new residential developments and parks and public open spaces, of formal and informal play areas with appropriate equipment and facilities, incorporating nature-based play opportunities where appropriate, ensuring that the needs of differing age groups including young children, older children and teenagers are catered for and that different abilities and needs are accommodated to be able to access and participate in play, and to ensure playspaces and play facilities comply with universal design principles. COS5 Objective 20: To ensure that children’s play areas are provided as an integral part of the design and delivery of new residential and mixed-use developments and addressed as part of a landscape plan in accordance with the requirements set out in Chapter 12: Implementation and Monitoring. COS5 Objective 21: To review the Council’s play policy within the lifetime of the Development Plan. COS5 Objective 22: To maximise the leisure and amenity resource offered by each of the County’s parks through the promotion of management plans that provide for the continued improvement of the park setting, recreational facilities and biodiversity. COS5 Objective 23: To retain the open character of the existing open space area on Esker Hill (between Brookvale and Esker Lawns). COS5 Objective 24: That the Council continues to progress the delivery of toilet facilities in parks in tandem with the delivery of built infrastructure in parks and open spaces (similar to the model proposed for Tymon Park Intergenerational Facility and Airlie Park) and in accordance with the outcome of any feasibility study undertaken in relation to provision of public toilets. COS5 Objective 25: To continue to provide innovative play spaces, including sensory play areas and play trails, in parks and open spaces throughout the County and to identify the quietest and busiest times at SDCC playgrounds and share this information so it may be useful to visitors so they can identify quiet times and quieter playgrounds and plan their visits accordingly. COS5 Objective 26: To support and facilitate the provision of a memorial park of remembrance for all survivors of the Mother and Baby and County Institutions. COS5 Objective 27: To facilitate the provision of an apiary colony within Lucan, Adamstown subject to appropriate location and design and regard to public amenity.
Source South Dublin County Council: South Dublin County Development Plan 2022–2028 – Written Statement (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.