ADAMSTOWN WINS MAJOR UK PLANNING AWARD

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 6^th FEBRUARY 2008

ADAMSTOWN WINS MAJOR UK PLANNING AWARD

FOR SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES

At a ceremony in London on Thursday 5^th February 2009, the Adamstown Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) received a Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Planning Award for Sustainable Communities. Councillor Eamon Tuffy, Chair of the Planning Strategic Policy Committee accepted the award on behalf of South Dublin County Council.

In deciding to give an Award to Adamstown in this category, the RTPI Judges reported we were impressed by the quality and scale of the development at Adamstown. It is of a size (10,000 homes plus community and employment uses) often advocated for new settlements and, as such, is a model for developments elsewhere.

Adamstown was entered for the RTPI Awards by South Dublin County Council, which is the Development Agency for the area and Chartridge Developments Limited, the developer consortium established to deliver the infrastructure required for Adamstown. Chartridge represents Castlethorn Construction, Maplewood Developments and Tierra Limited.

To date, there are almost 1,000 homes occupied in Adamstown. Whilst there are a range of house types, almost three-quarters of homes have three or more bedrooms. A new railway station and two primary schools opened in 2007 and a post primary school, local shops and community centre will open in 2009. The first phase of a major District Centre at the station is expected to start on site later this year.

The Royal Town Planning Institute confirmed that there was a record entry of 111 schemes of which 34 were short listed in a range of categories and 13 received awards. To merit an award, an entry had to demonstrate outstanding achievement that has advanced significantly the art and science of town planning. The degree of originality and innovation were particularly important considerations.

The RTPI judges considered that the design and layout of Adamstown delivers an attractive modern vernacular incorporating, despite the greenfield location, the key features of a sustainable community..

Speaking on behalf of South Dublin County Council, Paul Hogan, Senior Planner, explained that whilst Adamstown may now be developed over a longer period than was originally anticipated, the approach taken has ensured that those already living there have access to train and bus services, new road links, schools, childcare and play facilities, with more on track for this year, despite the downturn.

The preliminary findings of survey commissioned by the Council as part of the community development process indicate that there is a young, highly educated and diverse community living in Adamstown. The results also indicate a high degree of resident satisfaction, with 7 in 10 residents strongly agreeing that Adamstown feels like home. Undertaken at the end of 2008, the survey findings support the RTPI Judges positive assessment. The survey outcome will be used to inform the ongoing planning and development of the area.

Frank Nevin, Director of Planning at South Dublin County Council said that this international award represents recognition of how sustainable communities can be achieved through the SDZ process which is ongoing in Adamstown and will be replicated in the Clonburris area. A second major SDZ Plan in the South Dublin County Council area was approved for Clonburris in November 2008.

Background Information for Editors:

Adamstown is a new urban district on a greenfield site of 220 hectares, adjoining the main Dublin-Kildare railway line, 10 miles (16km) west of Dublin City Centre. Adamstown will be developed over a ten to fifteen year period, based on an approved Planning Scheme or Masterplan that was prepared by South Dublin County Council. Adamstown will provide up to 10,000 new homes along with a range of shopping, employment, leisure, civic & cultural facilities.

Infrastructure and facilities for the new community of Adamstown must be provided in tandem with housing development. Transportation infrastructure, drainage infrastructure, community facilities and commercial, entertainment and leisure facilities are all required on a phased basis.

As Development Agency for the project, South Dublin County Council is committed to overseeing the development of Adamstown and ensuring that Adamstown is a sustainable urban community with a strong sense of identity, that it is attractive, safe and secure in a traditional town and village format and that development occurs at a pace whereby it is supported by all necessary facilities and infrastructure.

The first homes were occupied in Adamstown in September 2006. To date, almost 1,000 homes have been occupied, representing almost 10% of the total development. In addition, two primary schools, a neighborhood park, a crche facility, a railway station and new Bus Services are in place. The first retail units will open in summer 2009. The Adamstown secondary school and the first community centre incorporating a shared sports hall will open in autumn 2009. Planning approval has also been given for the first phase of the Adamstown District Centre development, which will be the focus for commercial and civic activity in Adamstown.

More information on the Adamstown development is available at www.adamstown.ie More information on the RTPI Awards is available on www.rtpi.org.uk and on the Clonburris SDZ at www.clonburris.ie

Date of Release: 6^th February 2009

Contacts: Paul Hogan, Senior Planner/Adamstown Project Manager 086 173 1721

South Dublin County Council Tel: 01 414 9000

Email: phogan@sdublincoco.ie