Uimhir Thagarta Uathúil: 
SD-C195-31
Stádas: 
Submitted
Údar: 
William Lavelle
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0
Teorainneacha Gafa ar an léarscáil: 
Údar: 
William Lavelle

Litir Chumhdaigh

I am a former elected member representing Lucan Council for 10 years from 2009 to 2019.

Observations

Chapter 12: Our Neighbourhoods

Walking, cycling and permeability in Lucan

I note that only 43% of the trips within the Lucan/Palmerstown/Adamstown area are by walking or cycling. I would suggest that any efforts to respond to this by enhancing walking and cycling routes should be focussed on works which would realistically result in actual increases in walking and cycling. One area of particular focus should be that of enhancing safe routes to schools, including safe routes to schools in the Lucan Village area from areas on both sides of the N4.

With this in mind, the recent replacement of footpaths along Lucan Road was welcome in that it saw some poor patches of path being replaced. But overall, given the scale of expenditure, the project was very disappointing in that it missed the big opportunity of reimagining the Lucan Road corridor to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists. The project replaced footpaths like-for-like, but failed to address problems such as narrow footpaths or to provide any new cycle infrastructure. Given the overall width of the corridor, a more imaginative approach could have been taken. I would propose the Development Plan should include an objective to redesign the Lucan Road corridor to enhance safety for all users, while protecting the efficiency of traffic flow.

In the context of prioritising walking and cycling routes which would result in actual increases in walking and cycling, I question the draft plan’s proposal to improve permeability for pedestrians along the R136 (Ballyowen Road). Any proposals in this area should be justified by clear local demand and be subject to both public consultation and a democratic consent procedure under the relevant legislation.

Any works to enhance walking and cycling routes should seek to preserve and enhance the visual amenity of the streetscape. In this regard, quality paving and surface finishes should be applied, and brash, gaudy plastic bollards and signage should be avoided.

Chapter 12: Our Neighbourhoods

Lucan Weir/Bridge

The Development Plan should seek to protect and enhance the Lucan Weir/Bridge areas with a view to it being a marquee public space in the county. To achieve this, I propose the Development Plan should include objectives to:

  • Complete the paving of the promenade along the weir, including the steps down from Lucan Bridge;
  • Re-route the proposed Grand Canal to Royal Canal urban greenway to along the east side of the bridge, protecting the famous vista of the bridge from the west;
  • Include an objective to work with Fingal County Council to protect the character and visual integrity of both the streetscape of the Weirview terrace and landscape of and above the cliff and behind Weirview.

02 sheet_Map 01

Zoning of lands in Lucan Village north of the Liffey

The current development plan applies a REGEN zoning to the lands in Lucan Village north of the Liffey, including Hills Industrial estate and other commercial sites. The current ‘REGEN’ zoning is to designed to “facilitate enterprise and/or residential-led regeneration” and it was previously proposed for this area with a view to supporting future, vibrant mixed use development.

I am disappointed that the draft plan proposes rezoning this area to EE, “to provide for enterprise and employment related uses”. The EE zoning objective does not permit uses including Community Centre, Residential, Shop-Neighbourhood or Work-Live Unit,  all of which would represent appropriate and highly-valuable additions to this area and to Lucan Village generally.

I would propose a review of the zoning of this area to avoid an EE zoning, through retention of REGEN zoning or extension of Lucan Village’s VC zoning to this area.

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Peamount/Gollierstown

The current development plan applies an EE zoning to lands at Peamount/Gollierstown immediately south of the the Grand Canal. As an elected member at the time, I supported this zoning and continue to do so in terms of the next plan.

However, as development on these lands is much more likely to proceed in the lifetime of the next plan, I believe there is a need to reflect on how development will interface with the old quarry area along the Grand Canal at Gollierstown given the ecological and historical sensitivity of this area. I propose the Development Plan should provide for a linear park of at least 50 metre width, and preferably 100 metres width, to the south of the old quarry area.

 

Suímh a bhaineann leis an submission seo agus le observations

Faisnéis

Uimhir Thagarta Uathúil: 
SD-C195-31
Stádas: 
Submitted
Líon na ndoiciméad faoi cheangal: 
0
Teorainneacha Gafa ar an léarscáil: