Launch of Lucan Village Design Statement

Lucan Village Design Statement

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South Dublin County Council together with the Heritage Council and members of the Lucan community will launch the Lucan Village Design Statement (VDS) on the 24^th October 2007 in the Church of Ireland, Parish Centre, Lucan.

The Lucan VDS is a community based document whose purpose is to describe the unique qualities and characteristics of Lucan Village and to provide design guidance for future development. It is intended that this document will assist new development in ways that will contribute to the quality of life in the village and its environs.

In February 2006, members of the local community, supported by The Heritage Council and South Dublin County Council came together for a scoping meeting to explore the possibility of a Village Design Statement for Lucan. A Steering Group of local community representatives was established to direct the project and in October 2006 with funding from South Dublin County Council and The Heritage Council, a team of consultants (Manogue Architects and Soltys Brewster Consulting) was appointed to work in partnership with the Steering Group and other village residents, including local children and teenagers to meet this aim.

The production of the Lucan VDS has offered an opportunity for local people to work together and to contribute to the future planning and enhancement of their village, while providing an important focus for community development. The VDS was produced through an extensive community consultation combined with desk-based study. This included an introductory meeting with community members, distribution of a key issues leaflet and questionnaires, and a series of workshops involving a wide cross section of the community including adults, children, and young people.

The Village Design Statement is a non-statutory document, but is intended as supplementary guidance that will be used with South Dublin County Councils County Development Plan, 2004-2010. It will also serve as an input into the review of the County Development Plan, which will commence in December 2008.

The Village Design Statement highlights the unique qualities of architectural, historical and natural importance that contribute to Lucans character. It is concerned about how planned development should be carried out, so that it is in harmony with its setting and contributes to the conservation and, where possible, enhancement of the local environment.

The Heritage Council and South Dublin County Council are examining a number of proposals in the Lucan Village Design Statement area with a view to selecting a follow-on project in 2008.