Public Consultation on Draft South Dublin County Development Plan

South Dublin County Council has prepared a Draft Development Plan for the period 2010-2016.? This will replace the current Development Plan, which was adopted in 2004.? The Development Plan seeks to shape the development of the South Dublin County area over the six-year period 2010-2016.? It is the main statement of the Council?s planning policies and objectives for the area and will be used to guide decisions on planning applications.

As part of the process of making the County Development Plan a public consultation is being carried out. Written submissions or observations on the Draft Development Plan and accompanying Environmental Report are invited from members of the public and other interested parties.? The public consultation will take place during the period 22^nd September 2009 to 2^nd December 2009.?

There will be several public information days at public libraries and council offices during this period when staff from the Council?s Planning Department will be available to answer questions and to assist in making a submission.

The venues and dates for the Open Days are as follows:

NOTES FOR EDITORS

The Development Plan seeks to shape the development of the South Dublin County area over the six-year period 2010-2016. When adopted the Draft Development Plan will replace the current Development Plan 2004-2010, which was adopted in November 2004.? It is the main statement of the Council?s planning policies and objectives for the area and will be used to guide decisions on planning applications.

The County Development Plan sets out a vision and an overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of the County for a six-year period.? It also sets out guiding policies and objectives for the development of the County in terms of physical growth and renewal, economic, social and cultural activity and environmental protection and enhancement.? The County Plan must take account of various national and regional strategies and guidelines.? The Plan will also reflect consultation with the general public and other interested bodies and so it is important that members of the public and interested parties submit their views and ideas.

The new Draft Development Plan continues, and builds on, the approach in the current County Development Plan which seeks to promote physical development in South Dublin County that supports and enhances the economic and social? well being of all those who live and work in the County.

The fundamental aim of the new County Development Plan is to respond in a coherent sustainable spatial fashion to the challenges facing this County while building on its strengths and introducing resilience to the wider effects of climate change. It also articulates, at a County level, national and regional spatial polices as expressed in the National Spatial Strategy (2002) and the Regional Planning Guidelines for the Greater Dublin Area 2004-2016. The core strategy of the new Development Plan gives direct, coherent effect to the central strategic spatial policy aim of the Regional Planning Guidelines which is to promote a more compact and sustainable urban form in the region.

The Plan strategy and content is framed against a wider economic downturn that, while severe, must be seen in the context of the six year horizon for the Development Plan.

The County has significant strengths to build on during the period of this Development Plan. It has a strong diverse economic base that is well connected both to the rest of the country and wider international markets. Considerable progress has been made on the promotion of sustainable communities in close proximity to fixed public transport routes; particularly along the improved main Dublin-Cork railway line. Our prime natural amenities, the Dublin Mountains and the Liffey Valley, are also protected with robust policies and guidelines.

The core strategic aim of the Draft Development Plan is to promote a more consolidated and compact urban form for this County. This will entail the following:

? Consolidating and strengthening our designated town centres particularly the County Town of Tallaght;

? Supporting our existing urban areas including the redevelopment of brownfield lands;

? Promoting significant new economic development along defined economic corridors based on fixed and developing public transport corridors;

? Supporting continued agricultural activity in the west of the County;

? Identifying and maintaining our green infrastructure; and

? Promoting and supporting more sustainable forms of transport particularly public transport.

These strategic policies further build on the existing County Development Plan policies and promote access to both community and economic services in a sustainable way.