Kellystown Local Area Plan meeting

daymobrew

The Dublin 15 Community Council is holding a meeting in Castleknock Community Centre Laurel Lodge on Monday 8th July at 8pm to discuss the Kellystown Draft Local Area Plan

The Local Area Plan will consist of a written statement and maps setting out a land use strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of the area and guidance as to how development can be achieved, what new infrastructure is needed and where public and private resource inputs are required for development proposed in the LAP area.

The preparation of the Kellystown LAP will involve two phases:

• Firstly, a non-statutory Pre-Draft phase and
• Secondly, a statutory Draft phase.

Fingal County Council is now beginning the Pre-Draft phase & has prepared a Strategic Issues Paper to inform the public and encourage discussion and debate. The Pre-Draft phase will be followed by the preparation and publication of the Draft LAP. During both phases, the local authority will undertake public consultation and invite your comments.

This pre-draft consultation is the most important as it sets the agenda for the second phase. This offers the opportunity for stakeholders, organisations and the public to help shape a new LAP for Kellystown. It is incredibly difficult to introduce new elements at the second stage.

Only submissions received before Wednesday the 31st of July 2019 can be accepted.

Phil.x

Its really pointless in objecting or voicing an opinion on LAP plans.

Caranica

Phil.x wrote: »

Its really pointless in objecting or voicing an opinion on LAP plans.

No it's not. Every observation is noted and addressed in some way, if only to say it's not possible /practical. LAP plans are being drafted. Take the chance to have your say. They won't make changes if they're not suggested!

Larbre34

Phil.x wrote: »

Its really pointless in objecting or voicing an opinion on LAP plans.

It really isn't. As a professional consultant planner, I've been specifically tasked to reassess aspects of more than one LAP and SDZ in my time, specifically for reasons of public and special interest input into draft plans.

daymobrew

Larbre34 wrote: »

It really isn't. As a professional consultant planner, I've been specifically tasked to reassess aspects of more than one LAP and SDZ in my time, specifically for reasons of public and special interest input into draft plans.

Any hints on how to phrase suggestions/observations for the most impact?

ozmo

Are there any plans online yet as to what they propose - other than the boundary area.

daymobrew

ozmo wrote: »

Are there any plans online yet as to what they propose - other than the boundary area.

The Strategic Issues Paper mentions the zoning for the area (residential and open space) with the potential for 3000-3500 residents.

It also has a number of questions that might inspire people to give input.
Come along to the meeting where we might be able to figure some of this out.

Larbre34

daymobrew wrote: »

Any hints on how to phrase suggestions/observations for the most impact?

What aspects of the plan are you looking at putting in observations on?

Generally I would say avoid hyperbole and make your observations succinct and relate them back to national policies or best practices around things like the green agenda or housing and infrastructure plans and policies.

If you want to post a few examples I can suggest a few catchy lines. Its also good to follow up with the local Councillors once you have made the submission, let them know these things are important to you and that you'll be following their decision making on the relevant LAP or SDZ etc

Former Former

Might be interesting for people to see the recent Barnhill LAP to get an idea of what the outcome will be;
https://consult.fingal.ie/en/system/files/materials/9894/Text%20-%20Barnhull%20Draft%20LAP.pdf

Would expect Kellystown to be similar, i.e. higher density on the eastern side, especially near Clonsilla station, lower density on the southern and western sides.

If they're going to rely on the station as a key part of the plan, then they need to put in better access roads, parking etc. I don't know if the old proposal to build a new station between Coolmine and Clonsilla is still on the table.

The big question is; will people living here be able to claim they live in Castleknock??

beauf

Former Former wrote: »

..

The big question is; will people living here be able to claim they live in Castleknock??

Village, townland or barony? Take your pick.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castleknock_(barony)

Having no capacity on the trains or traffic grid lock in all directions has never stopped them from allowing more development to go ahead in D15. Maybe some pressure can be brought to get the green way going.

daymobrew

Here's what I have submitted. Once moderated it will be on the website.

The Kellystown area is a blank page and this provides an opportunity to combine everything learned from other developments throughout the county, from the approach to the nearby Hansfield SDZ to various large and small developments over the years. For many good ideas one will not have to look very far.

An overlying aim should be for LIGHT: sunlight being allowed to shine everywhere; building energy use that is light on natural resources; layout that encourages pedestrians and cyclists with their light impact on the environment.

** Open Space Areas
In the nearby Riverwood estate you will see numerous class 1 open space areas spread throughout the estate. Providing a number of these areas allows children to use them with minimal supervision. On the flip side, allowing developers to provide large off-site open areas restricts the amount of time children can play outside their own houses. Such off-site areas likely require children be driven to those spaces. Providing open space area within an estate helps reduce obesity and transport pollution.

** Permeability
Another important design goal for Kellystown should be to facilitate pedestrian and cyclist permeability. In 2012-3 children in Luttrellstown Community College worked with Irish Architecture Foundation on the Place Shapers initiative. While mapping the local area the children noticed the lack of pedestrian permeability in the Carpenterstown area and that pedestrians were forced to travel routes that were longer than necessary (and also exposed to traffic pollution).

I suggest that roadways in Kellystown be made up of many cul de sacs that are not closed to pedestrians.

** Residential Units
It is likely that development in Kellystown will be of a medium to high density. Without due care tall buildings can be overwhelming, intimidating and depressing. Building heights should be have stepped heights with lower heights close to open space areas and the edge of the developments. Higher buildings can be towards the centre, like a pyramid.

With respect to climate the residential buildings should be as energy efficient as possible, even aiming for passive housing status. The exterior of the buildings should be designed with a goal of low maintenance – fancy rendering with wood or similar short life elements should be avoided.

** Neighbouring Built Environment
With an estimated development to accommodate 3000-3500 residents there will be an obvious impact on services in the areas surrounding Kellystown.

The proposed bridge to the west of Clonsilla train station is welcome. We must not forget that many of the future residents will require school places.

Fingal County Council and the Department of Education and Skills must liaise with local schools to determine whether existing schools can accommodate the new residents or extra schools need to be built. This area of Dublin 15 has been a catastrophe with respect to the timely provision of school places and delays have caused inevitable stress on parents and children. We must learn from the past or mistakes will be repeated.

** Development Timeline
A phased development of residential units will allow for a gradually increased demand on local services. This will also allow time to upgrade services as necessary.

Hansfield SDZ is a good example of phased delivery – much of the road/path/cycle track infrastructure has been installed before properties are occupied.

** Housing Types
Kellystown developments must not be exclusively high rise blocks of apartments. They must be a good mix for multiple reasons – to be easier on the eye and on mental health impact they cause and to allow for a good mix of residents with their differing needs.

** Retail
3000-3500 residents may not be sufficient to support a local retail centre so the development must make is as easy as possible for residents to access neighbouring retail centres. A pedestrian bridge crossing the train line and canal between Kellystown and Clonsilla should be provided. This should discourage driving a much longer route to retail outlets in Clonsilla.

** Transport Objectives
We all know that of the negative effects of motor transport on health, through poor air quality and obesity. Developments in Kellystown must provide the infrastructure that encourages pedestrians and cyclists. Motorists must be made to feel that they are not the priority!

This can be achieved through simple changes. For example, instead of footpaths dropping to meet the road, the road should rise to meet the footpath. This creates a traffic calming ramp and a seamless transition from one path to another for pedestrians.

The creation of multiple cul de sacs that still allow for pedestrian and cyclist movement will reduce the danger presented by motor vehicles.

Furthermore, ideally residential units should face onto pathways, providing passive security for pedestrians. If, as suggested earlier, these units are not tall (two storey perhaps) there is more chance of passing pedestrians to be seen and be safer.

The proposed movement of St Mochta's Football Club pitches to the centre of Kellystown also provides an opportunity when creating pedestrian and cyclists friendly infrastructure. Participants should be given as much encouragement to walk or cycle to the pitches.

** Natural and Built Heritage
Prior to any development in Kellystown, an extensive survey of built heritage should be undertaken. The Fingal Fieldnames Project should be used to help name the new estates in Kellystown.

As much as possible existing hedgerows on the edge of the area should be left untouched.