DLRCC DRAFT County Development Plan 2022 – 2028

Under the DLRCC DRAFT County Development Plan is property’s proposed zoning is:
Objective SNI (Grey) – “To protect, improve and encourage the provision of sustainable neighbourhood infrastructure”.

Development Permitted in Principle

Assisted Living Accommodation, Car Park (a) , Community Facility, Childcare Service, Cultural Use, Doctor/Dentist etc., Education, Health Centre/ Healthcare Facility, Hospital, Open Space, Place of Public Worship, Sports Facility, Public Services, Transitional / Step-Down Medical / Rehabilitation Services, Veterinary Surgery.

Development Open for Consideration

Allotments, Bring Banks/Bring Centres, Caravan/Camping Park-Holiday, Cemetery, Civic Facility, Conference Facilities a Craft Centre/Craft Shop(b), Incubator Unit(c), Office(a), Office-Based Industry (c), Leisure Facility, Shop Neighbourhood(b), Residential, Residential Institution, Tea Room/Café(b), Travellers Accommodation.
(a): Only as an ancillary component of and directly connected to the primary use.
(b): As a component part of sustainable neighbourhood infrastructure.
(c): Only as an ancillary component of and directly connected to the primary use where the primary use is as a Hospital or a Further Education Institution.

Local Objectives

A specific local objective impacts the property:
• “To accord with the policies of the adopted Goatstown Local Area Plan”
 
In addition, the lands are adjacent to, but not directly impacted by, a reservation for the Dublin Eastern Bypass reservation corridor:
• “To promote potential additional future uses of the Dublin Eastern Bypass reservation corridor, including a greenway/cycleway, a pedestrian walkway, biodiversity projects, recreational opportunities – inclusive of playing pitches – public transport provision and other suitable temporary uses, pending a decision from Transport Infrastructure Ireland/Central Government in relation to the future status of the Bypass. Any potential additional future short-term uses of the reservation corridor will be subject to a joint feasibility study to be undertaken by TII and the NTA.”
 
Residential Development Density
In relation to residential density, the DLRCC DRAFT County Development Plan states: 
 
“Higher densities should be provided in appropriate locations. Site configuration, open space requirements and the characteristics of the area will have an impact on the density levels achievable. Levels of privacy and amenity, the relationship of buildings to one another, including consideration of overlooking, sunlight/daylight standards and the appropriate use of screening devices.”
 
“In general, the number of dwellings to be provided on a site should be determined with reference to the Government Guidelines document: ‘Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas – Guidelines for Planning Authorities’ (2009). As a general principle, and on the grounds of sustainability, the objective is to optimise the density of development in response to type of site, location, and accessibility to public transport.”
 
Policy Objective PHP18 in the DRAFT Plan states:
 
“Where a site is located within circa 1-kilometre pedestrian catchment / 10-minute walking time of a rail station, Luas line, Core/Quality Bus Corridor and/or 500 metres / 5-minute walking time of a Bus Priority Route, and/or 1 kilometre / 10-minute walking time of a Town or District Centre, higher densities at a minimum of 50 units per hectare (net density ) will be encouraged.
This density may not be appropriate in all instances but should be applied particularly in relation to ‘greenfield’ sites or larger ‘A’ zoned areas. Higher density schemes should offer an exemplary quality of life for existing and future residents in terms of design and amenity.”

Institutional Uses

In relation to Institutional uses the DRAFT Plan states:

“Where no demand for an alternative institutional use is evident or foreseen, the Council may permit alternative uses subject to the area’s zoning objectives and the open character of the lands being retained. There are still a number of large institutions in the established suburbs of the County which may be subject to redevelopment pressures in the coming years. The principal aims of any eventual redevelopment of these lands will be to achieve a sustainable amount of development while ensuring the essential setting of the lands and the integrity of the main buildings are retained. In order to promote a high standard of development a comprehensive Masterplan should accompany a planning application for institutional sites. Such a Masterplan must adequately take account of the built heritage and natural assets of a site and established recreational use patterns. Public access to all or some of the lands may be required. Every planning application lodged on institutional lands shall clearly demonstrate how they conform with the agreed Masterplan for the overall site. Should any proposed development deviate from the agreed Masterplan then a revised Masterplan shall be agreed with the Planning Authority.
A minimum public open space provision of 20% of the total site area will be required on Institutional Lands. This provision must be sufficient to maintain the open character of the site – with development proposals built around existing features and layout, particularly by reference to retention of trees, boundary walls and other features as considered necessary by the Council”.

The open space provision for development on Institutional lands is proposed to be reduced from the 25% in the current DLRCC County Development Plan to 20% in the DRAFT Development Plan.

Goatstown Local Area Plan

The Local Area Plan, adopted in 2012, sets out a strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of the area. It enables the local authority to carry out a detailed assessment of local planning issues, the results of which can then be used to inform planning policy. The Plan provides guidance for future development thereby ensuring that any change in the area respects and complements the local area.

The most relevant section affecting Mount Anville Lands is UD5:

“It is an objective of the Plan that height in excess of two storeys shall only be permitted where it is considered by the Planning Authority that the proposed development can be easily absorbed into the existing urban landscape and will not be visually obtrusive or overbearing”.

The Plan was originally valid until 2018 but was extended in March 2017 by a further 5 years expiring in April 2022 when it is likely to be subsumed by the DLRCC DRAFT County Development Plan 2022-2028, when approved.

The height of new development is significantly restricted in the Goatstown LAP. The new DLRCC County Development Plan in 2022, generally, will be more liberal in height application reflecting the development of national policy since the inception of the Goatstown LAP. However, with Protected Structures at Mount Anville restrictions on development at and around Protected Structures will apply. The heritage assets, particularly the adjoining North (or Upper) Walled Garden, but also adjacent homes, are likely to have the most significant impact on height permitted, as indicated in DLRCC’s record of pre-planning consultation.