I have submitted a number of motions to amend the proposed Variation, informed by the responses to the public consultation on the Variation. They reflect the following:
I support the bringing forward of the development of the Dunsink lands and Iarnród Éireann’s proposal that higher densities should apply near rail stations.
The Council made some important decisions in the last County Development Plan process, to rezone brownfield employment-only sites for mixed or residential use. This approach was good and it should inform our response to this Variation.
Unfortunately the Executive has decided to recommend the rezoning of Green Belt land rather than brownfield sites. I consider that this advice is contrary to national, regional and local policy, and contrary to proper planning and sustainable development.
I support the proposals in two of the submissions for residential or mixed use zoning on land currently zoned for employment-only uses. One is the brownfield former Wavin site in Balbriggan identified in this submission, the other land to the west of Navan Road Parkway railway station (some, but not all of the land identified in this submission.) The Balbriggan site is 9.65ha and the Navan Road Parkway site is 18.7ha. Taking account of the national guidelines, these parcels could be expected to accommodate over 500 units and 1700 units respectively. Those density estimates are very approximate; actual densities would depend on whether residential-only or mixed use zonings are applied, and would be subject to detailed analysis of specific local impacts and capacities. My motions seek the initiation of a variation process to change the zoning of these pieces of land, a process which would include consideration of those issues.
The Settlement Capacity Audit, undertaken before the draft Variation was proposed, underestimated the current settlement capacity of the county. It omitted 1511 housing units on brownfield sites currently used as car parks in Blanchardstown and Santry for which planning permission has been granted, and the Kellystown Local Area for which the Local Area Plan indicates indicates between 1065 and 1610 units. Taken together, the total underestimate is between 2500 and 3000. There is more detail on this in in my submission to the public consultation.
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