Artist impression gives people a ‘perspective’ of housing plans
By Aideen O'Flaherty
A MEMBER of a local community group, which is against the development of housing in Sean Walsh Park in Tallaght, has created an artist’s impression of what the proposed development may look like so that people can get “perspective” on the extent of the planned development.
South Dublin County Council announced plans to build an 81-unit older persons’ housing scheme in Sean Walsh Park earlier this year, with plans for the development to be located beside Tallaght Stadium, on the site of the urban farm and council depot which is currently there.
Artist impression of the proposed development
The council’s proposals, which are currently at the Part 8 public consultation stage, include 18 two-bed homes and 63 one-bed units, which will be housed across a range of two- and four-storey apartment blocks.
If the plans go ahead, the council depot, the urban farm and two small community gardens on site will be levelled.
Peter Daly, who is a member of Tallaght Litter Mugs, a community group that carries out regular clean-ups in Sean Walsh Park, created two images showing what the proposed development may look like if it goes ahead.
Mr Daly told The Echo: “I made the pictures so people can get perspective [about the scale of the development], it’s going to dominate that part of the park.
“It’s going to be right behind the new stand in Tallaght Stadium and, with these pictures, I’m just trying to show that this is a huge development that encompasses the area beyond the council depot.
“It takes over an entire section of Sean Walsh Park. There are better places for houses for seniors to be developed.
“It’s totally wrong for seniors to be there, they’ll have to cross two main roads to reach The Square or Tallaght Hospital. I question the suitability of it all.”
Mr Daly added: “I’m not against housing, but this is to do with the location.
“Building in the public realm and in a Green Flag park is wrong.”
Concerns about the loss of amenity and greenspace
A petition against the planned development has amassed more that 700 signatures at the time of going to print, with signees citing concerns about the loss of amenity and greenspace as being the reasoning behind their objection to the proposed development.
In a Depot and Organisational Change Review devised by South Dublin County Council last September, they described the continued land use of the Sean Walsh depot as “unsustainable”.
They also found that the location of the Sean Walsh depot should be assessed for a proposal as a site for the development of a housing scheme for older people, as it is “in close proximity” to medical services in the Tallaght area.
A spokesperson for South Dublin County Council previously told The Echo that the proposed housing scheme has been planned with the aim of alleviating some of the pressure on the housing list, as it will allow older people to downsize by moving into smaller residential units, and then freeing up other three-bedroom houses for people who are on the housing list.
For further details and drawings on the council’s proposal or to make a submission by Friday, November 9 visit https://consult.sdublincoco.ie.
Written submissions can be sent to Senior Executive Officer, Housing Department, South Dublin County Council, County Hall, Tallaght, Dublin 24, with plans on display in council offices.
