Multiple motions put forward to protect and preserve historic sites in Clondalkin Village
By Aimee Walsh
HOPES for future preservation of historic sites in Clondalkin as multiple motions are passed at County Development Plan Meeting.
Local councillor for Clondalkin Francis Timmons had several motions that aimed to protect and preserve historic sites in Clondalkin Village at South Dublin County Council’s County Development Plan.
The Round Tower with Clondalkin Village in the background
Some of the motions Cllr Timmons put forward included preserving St Cuthbert’s Church for future generations as an ‘important historical and heritage building’ , including the cottages on Main Street in the Protected Structures List, preserve and develop the Fairview Oil Mills at Cherrywood Crescent, preserve and restore Omars Lough Keeper House at the 11 Lough and to extend Clondalkin’s Architectural Conservation Area.
Cllr Timmons also had a motion to include a strategic local objective to ensure that boundary walls of premises in Clondalkin will be made of local limestone, including all new-builds and refurbishments where the boundary walls already exist.
Speaking to The Echo, Cllr Timmons said that it was a generally “positive” outcome for the motions that he submitted.
He said: “The motions went through – I have to say the councillors were very supportive.
“What they have agreed to do is, the list I have submitted, they have agreed to carry out reports basically to see if they are worth saving. They will come back to us then at the next stage.
“They tried to say that there was enough protection in place for the walls, but I said there obviously wasn’t because the convent wall was knocked down.”
Included in the motions that were passed at the meeting were the motions to preserve and develop the Fairview Oil Mills located at Cherrywood Crescent in Clondalkin and to place a Strategic Local Objective for St Cuthbert’s Church.
Following the recent controversial decision from An Bord Pleanála to uphold the plans by Bartra Property for a 155-bed nursing home and retirement home at the site of the historical convent in Clondalkin, despite significant opposition and a campaign from residents in Clondalkin, Cllr Timmons said he was much more “in depth” with his motions this time at the County Development Plan meetings.
“My motions this time around are focused a lot on the history, and I won’t accept that there is already protection in place.
“As a lover of History and heritage I feel it is imperative that we save as much as possible for future generations, I don’t accept because a place is a listed building that this protects it.
“We have seen the architectural vandalism that was done to our wall on the boot road and Clondalkin convent that have destroyed the important look of our Heritage village.
“This cannot be allowed continue and I will do everything I can to protect, preserve and educate planners and developers of the importance of our history and heritage.
“We managed to get a good bit in – there are still a few more battles ahead but it was very positive overall and even the manager could see where I was coming from”, Cllr Timmons told The Echo.
All of the motions have gone through to the public consultation stage of the South Dublin County Council County Development Plan, which will be open for public submissions from July 7 to September 15, 2021.
