New plans to deliver 8,000 new homes at the Clonburris launched
By Maurice Garvey
DRAFT plan proposals to deliver over 8,400 new homes in Clonburris, was officially launched today by South Dublin County Mayor Paul Gogarty.
Residents can make submissions during a six-week public consultation period until November 3, for South Dublin County Council’s Clonburris SDZ (Strategic Development Zone) – located on 280 hectares between Lucan, Clondalkin and Liffey Valley.
The scheme is expected to deliver a target of 8,437 new homes, approximately 21,000 people, eight schools, and two train stations at Kishoge and Clondalkin/Fonthill.
10 per cent of all new residential units on the lands will be required for social housing. The details of these will be agreed with the Local Authority at individual planning application stage.
It also contains provision for 90 hectares of parks and open Spaces, 12.5km of cycleways and walkways, 7,300 sq.m gross community floorspace, approximately 21,520m² gross retail floorspace and 31,115m² employment floorspace.
If the planning scheme is approved, Clonburris will develop over the next 20 years.
The land is in multiple ownerships, so development will take place at different times – the speed of which will depend upon the market.
The largest landowner in Clonburris, Cairn Homes, is scheduled to be in a position to start building there early next year and could provide homes costing less than €300,000.
Of major concern to residents currently living in the area, is the impact development will have on traffic.
In February, plans for a €150 million extension at Liffey Valley shopping centre were refused over concerns it would worsen traffic congestion in the area.
An Bord Pleanála upheld an appeal for the mixed-use development, which was set to include Ireland’s first 2,500 seat Olympic-sized indoor ice rink, citing the close proximity of the increasingly busy M50 and N4.
Planners state the scheme is designed to encourage pedestrians and cyclists and reduce reliance on the private car.
Approximately 72 per cent of housing will be located within 500 metres of schools and approximately 98 per cent of residents will be able to access a bus stop within 400 metres or a train station within 800 metres.
Mayor Gogarty said he asked a lot of questions about what would happen were the scheme to be voted down by councillors.
“The news is not good, ultimately Clonburris without an SDZ would still mean housing but with far less stringent checks,” said Gogarty.
He said the priority now is to make the plan as “workable as possible” and lessons can be learned from Adamstown, in terms of linking in various agencies outside the council’s remit.
Mayor Gogarty also said it is vital that citizens make a submission during the six-week public consultation period through www.clonburris.ie.
