Framework for future growth
By Mary Dennehy
PEOPLE living across South Dublin County are encouraged to engage with the first eight week public consultation stage of the County Development Plan 2022 – 2028, which kicks off on July 31.
According to South Dublin County Council, the County Development Plan is one of the most important documents for a local authority, and impacts on how the county deals with climate change, how people move around, where people live and work and the quality of their lives.
An aerial shot of Cookstown
It sets out the framework for the region’s future growth and where, how and why development is constructed throughout the county – while considering the ‘social, economic and environmental aspects’ of future development.
Every six years, the County Development Plan for each local authority area is reviewed as a statutory requirement.
In a statement to The Echo, the council said: “Changes are made to the previous plan to ensure that the County Development Plan is a robust document that can meet the challenges we face in delivering sustainable development for all living and working within the county.
“The new County Development Plan 2022 – 2028 will reflect these and update the overall plan approach.”
One main aspect of the plan is to ‘co-ordinate and prioritise’ population growth, as South Dublin moves towards an additional 80,000 people and 32,000 new homes by 2040 – in line with national targets.
According to the council, the development and completion of the strategic zones at Adamstown and Clonburris will provide for a ‘significant part’ of the county’s growth.
SDCC Development Plan containing the eight issues
The ‘regeneration’ of lands within Tallaght and the Naas Road area will be ‘equally important in providing for further compact growth’ within the county.
The extensive area of the county that is not urban is also provided for in the plan, which asks how the council can continue to develop the county while ‘protecting and enhancing’ the natural heritage and biodiversity.
Anne Hyland, a senior executive planner with the council, highlighted the importance of people engaging with the plan and informing the council of how ideas in the County Development Plan work on the ground across communities.
“The County Development Plan is adopted by the councillors, it’s not a council plan”, Ms Hyland told The Echo.
“Councillors represent the people, so it’s a people’s plan.
“It’s an opportunity for people to have an impact on how development happens in their county and what policies and objectives are in there to live, work and be.
“It’s a plan for the people of the county, and our job is to enable that process.”
The plan is delivered under eight key strategic issues, with people right across the county invited to submit an idea or suggestion under one or all of the topics.
The eight key strategic issues include; built environment and place making; climate action and energy; population growth and housing; sustainable movement; community services; economic development and employment; natural heritage and biodiversity; and infrastructure and utilities.
The council is inviting everybody to engage in the plan to help “get the best out of it” and to “improve how people live and work” within the county.
The submissions received in the first public consultation will be reviewed and summarised into a report, which the council say will impact on how the County Development Plan is written.
A draft plan will go back out to public consultation at a later stage.
All information regarding the review and preparation of the County Development Plan 2022 – 2028 will be available on www.sdcc.ie/en/devplan2022 from July 31, when the first eight week, public consultation stage will start.
The council is set to hold two public webinars on the County Development Plan in September and is also looking at other ways to ensure all citizens across the county can access the plan and submit their ideas.
A hardcopy booklet will also be made available in public libraries and council offices.
Due to Covid-19 measures, anybody who would like to receive a hardcopy or speak with a council member is invited to call 4149000.
Alongside submitting thoughts and views online, members of the public can also post their submissions on the County Development Plan to County Hall in Tallaght.
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