At the Area Committee meeting on 15th September, after public
\nconsultation, the committee decided to drop the proposal for a
\nplayground at Greenfield Road in Sutton.\u00a0 It also agreed to
\napprove the proposed playground at Howth Harbour.<\/p>\n
I agreed with both these decisions.\u00a0 Having given an election
\ncommitment to support playgrounds, I feel I should explain my decision
\nin relation to the Sutton site.\u00a0 The overriding consideration was
\nthe lack of any positive support for the playgrounds or indication of
\nany local demand for them.\u00a0 The purpose of these small playgrounds
\nis to provide a facility for local use.\u00a0 None of the 30 separate
\nsubmissions indicated a demand for a playground in this area.<\/p>\n
A copy of the report on the public consultation is below.<\/p>\n
FINGAL COUNTY COUNCIL<\/p>\n
MALAHIDE\/HOWTH AREA COMMITTEE
\n(SERVICES B)<\/p>\n
PLANNING, PROPERTY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, HOUSING, COMMUNITY, RECREATION AND AMENITIES, GENERAL BUSINESS]<\/p>\n
THURSDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER 2005<\/p>\n
ITEM NO. 39 (b)<\/p>\n
PROPOSED PROVISION OF A PLAYGROUND AT GREENFIELD ROAD, SUTTON – REPORT
\nPURSUANT TO PART XI OF THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT ACTS 2000-2002<\/p>\n
Fingal County Council proposes to provide a playground at one of two
\npossible locations, shown as A and B on site location map of Greenfield
\nRoad, Sutton. The sketch plans of the proposed development were
\npresented to the Malahide\/Howth (Services B) meeting on the 16th June
\n2005 where it was agreed that the procedure pursuant to Part XI of the
\nLocal Government Planning and Development Acts 2000-2002 be initiated.<\/p>\n
In accordance with Part VIII of the Planning and Development
\nRegulations 2001 public notice of the Council\u2019s intention to provide
\nthe playground was published in the Irish Independent on the 5th July
\n2005 and a site notice was erected on site the same day.<\/p>\n
Plans and particulars of the proposed development were made available
\nfor inspection between the hours of 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 2.00
\np.m. to 4.00 p.m. on working days from Tuesday 5th July 2005 until
\nWednesday 3rd August 2005 at the following offices of Fingal County
\nCouncil:-<\/p>\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Parks Division, Fingal County Council, County Hall, Main Street, Swords
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Baldoyle Library, The Mall, Baldoyle, Dublin 13<\/p>\n
Submissions or observations with respect to the proposed development
\ndealing with the proper planning and sustainable development of the
\narea in which the development would be situated were to be made in
\nwriting to Mr Gerry Fitzgerald, Senior Executive Parks Superintendent,
\nParks Division, Fingal County Council, County Hall, Main Street, Swords
\non or before Wednesday 17th August 2005.<\/p>\n
The period during which submissions or observations in respect of the
\nproposed development may be made to the Local Authority has expired.
\nThis report is being submitted to the Council in accordance with the
\nrequirements of Article 179(3) of the Planning and Development Act 2000
\nwhich states that a report, in accordance with sub-article (b) shall \u2013<\/p>\n
“(i) Describe the nature and extent of the proposed development and the principal features thereof”<\/p>\n
Each proposed playground will be approximately 400 square metres in area (20m x 20m)<\/p>\n
Will be equipped with play equipment suitable for children under 8 years of age.<\/p>\n
Playground boundary will be secured with a railing 1.2 to 1.5 metres high.<\/p>\n
The area will be surfaced with tarmac with safer surface (rubber tile,
\nrubber wet pour, loose rubber or wood fibre) provided within the
\ncritical fall areas.<\/p>\n
The playgrounds are intended to serve the needs to children living
\nlocally and should not be seen as a regional facility. Though there may
\nbe visitors from other estates when the playgrounds open.<\/p>\n
Fingal County Council will seek, by public tender, qualified
\ncontractors to design and construct the playground including all
\nsurfacing, boundary treatment and play equipment<\/p>\n
“(ii) Evaluate whether or not the proposed development would be
\nconsistent with the proper planning and sustainable development of the
\narea to which the development relates, having regard to the provisions
\nof the Development Plan and giving reasons and considerations for the
\nevaluation”.<\/p>\n
The area in which it is proposed to develop the proposed playground is
\nzoned \u201cF\u201d in the 1999-2004 Fingal County Council Development
\nPlan.\u00a0 This zoning objective is \u201cto preserve and provide for open
\nspace and recreational amenities\u201d.\u00a0 It is considered that the
\nproposed development would not be contrary to this objective.<\/p>\n
“(iii) List the persons or bodies who made submissions or observations
\nwith respect to the proposed development in accordance with the
\nRegulations under sub-section (2)”.<\/p>\n
See Appendix A<\/p>\n
“(iv) Summarise the issues, with respect to the proper planning and
\nsustainable development of the area in which the proposed development
\nwould be situate, raised in any submissions or observations, and give
\nthe response of the Manager thereto”.
\nSee Appendix B<\/p>\n
“(v) Recommend whether or not the proposed development should be
\nproceeded with as proposed, or as varied or modified as recommended in
\nthis report, or should not be proceeded with, as the case may be”.<\/p>\n
Given that location B is close of a drainage gripe that occasionally
\nfills with water, and that there is no practical way at present to
\neliminate this risk, the Council is of the opinion that location A
\nwould be the preferred location for the playground.\u00a0 Given that
\nthis site is located adjacent to a busy road this proposal should only
\nproceed on the condition that a road crossing is provided. If the
\nmembers approve of the proposal the appropriate arrangements will be
\nmade to proceed with the development of the facility.
\nAppendix A<\/p>\n
LIST OF PERSONS OR BODIES WHO MADE SUBMISSIONS OR OBSERVATIONS ON OR BEFORE 4 p.m. ON WEDNESDAY AUGUST 17TH 2005<\/p>\n
…<\/p>\n
Appendix B
\nSUMMARY OF ISSUES RAISED IN SUBMISSIONS AND OBSERVATIONS ON PROVISION OF PLAYGROUND AT GREENFIELD ROAD, SUTTON.<\/p>\n
SUBMISSION\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0RESPONSE
\n1\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Visually Obtrusive\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0The Council is
\nof the opinion due to the proposed size of the playground ie 20m x 20m
\nthat residents\u2019 views of the bay area will not be obstructed.
\n2\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Safety of Children-(a) Proximity to main road (b)
\nRodents at Shoreline\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0(a) The provision of a
\nplayground at this location will depend on the provision of a
\npedestrian crossing. Should the Members approve this project
\ndiscussions will be held with the Council\u2019s Transportation Department.
\n(b) Any reports of vermin at this location would be immediately referred to the Health Services Executive for immediate action.
\n3\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Disturbance of\u00a0 Winter Feeding Ground of Brent
\nGeese\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0The species of geese in question regularly
\ninhabit used open space in this and other locations in the County. The
\nCouncil does not consider that the provision of a playground at this
\nlocation would adversely affect the geese. However, the Wildlife
\nService will be requested to examine the matter and it\u2019s views will be
\ntaken on board.
\n4\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Exposure from Coastal Wind\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0The
\nCouncil recognises that limited use of the playground at certain times
\nof the year due to weather conditions will occur. It is envisaged by
\nthe Council that the playground would only be used by children on
\nsuitable dry days, therefore the issue of shelter is not seen as a
\nfactor that would stop the playground being used.<\/p>\n
5\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Car Parking\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Whilst\u00a0 the
\nproposed playground is intended to serve the needs of children living
\nlocally it is indeed for all children and this will therefore result in
\nadditional usage in summer. The Council\u00a0 is of the opinion
\nthat\u00a0 there is adequate car parking available adjacent to the
\nChurch. The provision of a playground at this location will depend on
\nthe provision of a pedestrian crossing.
\n6\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Anti-social behaviour\/Vandalism
\nIt is not anticipated that either of the proposed locations would
\nrepresent more of a risk from anti social elements\u00a0 than other
\nsimilar type playgrounds in situ throughout the County.
\n7\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Need for such a facility\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0The
\nCouncil\u2019s view is that the provision of a playground in this facility
\nwill improve the level of facilities in this area\u00a0 for children
\nand is in line with Council policy on play facility provision.
\n8\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Too close to sea\u00a0 and drainage trench.
\nArea\u00a0 prone to flooding.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Location B is prone to
\nflooding in extreme weather conditions. Should the playground proceed
\nat this location the reports of consultants working on drainage in
\nDublin bay area at present will guide its design. Location A is not
\nprone to flooding.
\n10\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Coastal location would lead to rapid corrosion of
\nequipment\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0The equipment in the proposed playground
\nwould be of galvanised steel construction, which should reduce
\ncorrosion. It will be finished to a high quality.
\n11\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Baltray, Howth would be a better
\nlocation\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0It is Council policy to provide a number of
\nplaygrounds in each electoral area. The location suggested can be
\ninvestigated.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
At the Area Committee meeting on 15th September, after public consultation, the committee decided to drop the proposal for a playground at Greenfield Road in Sutton.\u00a0 It also agreed to approve the proposed playground at Howth Harbour. I agreed with both these decisions.\u00a0 Having given an election commitment to support playgrounds, I feel I should […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/davidhealy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/davidhealy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/davidhealy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/davidhealy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/davidhealy.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=56"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/davidhealy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":356,"href":"https:\/\/davidhealy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56\/revisions\/356"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/davidhealy.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=56"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/davidhealy.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=56"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/davidhealy.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=56"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}