YOUR COMMUNITY UPDATE – MAY 2021

The improvement in the weather these past few days has been extremely welcome and is a great symbol of the sense of hope that is evident in the country as we hear of more and more people being vaccinated. In the next few days, vaccination registration will open for people between 40 and 44 and more of our neighbours, friends and family will have the opportunity to receive the vaccine.

This monthly update gives an overview of some of the matters I’ve been raising and working on over the past month. We hope that conditions in the coming month mean that we will be able to begin walkabouts soon, and meet you in person. In the meantime, if you would like to learn more about anything or would like help or advice, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Bí slán agus bí sona!

Shane

Foxhunter site update 

A decision had been expected from An Bord Pleanála with regard to the proposed development at the old Foxhunter site during May. Notification was received recently that the timeframe for that decision has now been pushed out to the 18th July 2021. I supported residents in providing information on this application and on the planning and appeal process. I will be proposing a motion to maintain the current zoning on the land in question and will provide further information to residents when we get a decision.

Parking bye-laws

At the March meeting of South Dublin County Council, a majority of councillors voted to protect the 30 minutes free parking that is currently in place in all SDCC metered areas. This is an important support for our local businesses, and the vast majority of people who contacted me supported its retention in Lucan and Palmerstown villages. The Fianna Fáil group proposed this amendment and it is now to be included in the parking bye-laws. In addition, I requested that the Council properly sign-post loading bay areas in Lucan village to prevent drivers parking in them inappropriately.

May Area Committee update 

Every month, the Lucan, Palmerstown and North Clondalkin Area Committee meets to discuss local matters. You can watch my video update below to see some of the matters I raised, including new bins for Griffeen and Corkagh Park and the need to repair the boundary wall between Mount Andrew and St Edmund’s.

DART South-West Consultation

The DART+ Programme is designed to expand the DART network to over 150km. This includes a proposal for DART+ South West which would aim to increase the current 12 trains per hour on the Hazelhatch & Celbridge to the city centre line to 23 trains an hour. There is currently a consultation underway on the emerging preferred route which you view here. Among the items I will be raising will be the need to prioritise the opening of Kishoge Station as soon as possible and ensuring the connectivity to Grand Canal Dock station is maintained and expanded. If you would like to discuss or highlight your views, please let me know.

Silver Bridge

The Government has allocated €140,000 to Fingal County Council to undertake preservation of the historic Guinness Silver Bridge which links into Waterstown Park. This presents a great opportunity for a joined-up approach between both local authorities. I called on South Dublin County Council to contact Fingal to understand their intentions for the funding and my motion was supported by all Lucan and Palmerstown-Fonthill councillors. I am hopeful that this will lead to a path forward to facilitate re-development of the bridge.

Housing for older people at St Ronan’s

The Council has published plans for a proposed development of a social housing project for Independent Living for Older Persons, consisting of 9 units on near Saint Ronan’s Crescent, Dublin 22.You can read more about the proposed development and make a submission here. This development is part of the Council’s programme for delivering housing for older people. Submissions are being accepted until 2nd July 2021.

King John’s Bridge

I recently requested an update on the restoration work on King John’s Bridge in Griffeen Valley Park. South Dublin County Council has finalised the scope of repair and conservation work needed. The application for Ministerial Consent to proceed with the proposed works is in train and I am hopeful this will be progressed soon.

Public realm works

One of the highlights of the past few weeks has been seeing community clean-ups resume, as well as Council staff undertaking long overdue public realm works, such as the landscaping on Castle Road and the improvements at the roundabout on Neilstown Road/Coldcut Road . I have been working with a number of residents and residents associations to ensure that requested public realm works take place. Please let me know if there are works you would me like to raise with the Council. 

Footpath repair

I have been consistently lobbying for the resumption of footpath repairs that were delayed by the coronavirus restrictions. I am pleased to confirm, following a reply to my question, that delayed footpath repairs will resume this month. This is an important thing for the Council to prioritise, especially given that there has been an increase in the number of public liability claims against the Council in 2020, as I explained to the Echo recently, which you can read about here.

Do you use choice-based letting?

Choice Based Letting (CBL) has moved to a new platform. South Dublin County Council has been advertising homes on this new platform from Friday, 21st May. You need to register on the new system to continue to use CBL. Please contact SDCC by email at cbl@sdublincoco.ie if you have not received a letter about registering on the new system yet.

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