SVRA Further Submission re Proposed Material Alterations to Proposed Variation No. 2 to the South Dublin County Development Plan 2022-2028
SVRA’s primary position
SVRA’s position remains that the proposed rezoning of the former Citywest Golf Course lands
should not proceed. The reasons set out in SVRA’s original submission remain fully relied upon
and should be read together with this further detailed submission.
The Proposed Material Alterations contain a number of improvements, particularly CS8 SLO2, which
provides for ecological assessment, ecologically informed lighting, traffic assessment, an active travel
connection, site-specific flood risk assessment, consideration of existing water features and a
community centre/sports hall. SVRA welcomes those safeguards but does not regard them as
sufficient to overcome its primary objection to the rezoning.
This further submission is made because, if South Dublin County Council proceeds with the rezoning
notwithstanding the objections already raised, the final planning framework must be made
substantially stronger, clearer and more enforceable. These fallback recommendations do not
amount to acceptance of the rezoning or any waiver of SVRA’s original position.
New information available since the original submission reinforces the need for stronger wording. The
Council’s own Capital Programme identifies major community, sports, active travel and drainage
projects that remain to be delivered. A recent Council letter demonstrates the practical consequences
of incomplete and interdependent surface-water infrastructure in nearby estates. In addition, the
principal landowner’s planning consultants expressly state that their client welcomes and supports
CS8 SLO2, confirming that the safeguards are not regarded by the landowner as incompatible with
housing delivery.
SVRA also notes that a motion proposed by Councillor Francis Timmons was passed by the elected
members but was not reflected in the published Material Alterations. Councillor Timmons has
therefore made a further submission seeking its inclusion. SVRA supports the incorporation of the
substance of that adopted motion, including the additional sports, recreational and local park
provisions sought for the area.
