DRAFT REVISED PHIBSBOROUGH LOCAL AREA PLAN – REMINDER

25th September, 2015

PHIBSBOROUGH LOCAL AREA PLAN

The original Phibsborough Local Area Plan that was adopted by Dublin City Council in 2008 coincided with the economic downturn our country experienced over the past seven years. Accordingly, much of the development that had been expected to occur, did not. However, the Fine Gael team in Dublin Central over the past two years advocated the retention of the statutory based Local Area Plan process. Despite the opposition of others, we worked to ensure that the LAP process was maintained and that a revised Local Area Plan be developed.

 

WHAT HAS BEEN THE LOCAL AREA PLAN REVIEW PROCESS TO DATE?

Following the formal decision of the City Council to begin the process of amending the original LAP, the Planning Department undertook a review of the Plan which led to the publication of an Issues Paper that was subject to public consultation in July 2014. The Council then used the submissions from that consultation process and following meetings with other stakeholders published the Draft Plan early last month. The deadline for anyone wishing to lodge a submission or an observation on the draft revised Phibsborough Local Area Plan is Monday September 28th at 4.30pm.

 

WHAT ARE THE MAJOR CHANGES TO THE ORIGINAL LOCAL AREA PLAN?

When the original Phibsborough Local Area Plan was adopted by Dublin City Council in 2008, there was an expectation that six key sites within the LAP boundary would be developed. Sadly, due to the economic downturn and subsequent decisions of Government, proposals about the future use of these key sites have been changed. Therefore, significant changes to a revised Local Area Plan are required. These changes can be summarised as:

  • MOUNTJOY PRISON site

In 2008, it had been intended that the prison would be relocated to Thornton Hall in North County Dublin. However, those plans were shelved thereby removing any opportunity for the redevelopment of the site for purposes other than its current use. That being said, the overall objectives have been retained though no redevelopment is expected within the lifespan of an amended LAP.

  • MATER HOSPITAL site

When the original LAP was adopted, plans were proceeding to locate the National Childrens’ Hospital on the site of the Mater Hospital. Following the consideration by An Bord Pleanala for such a planning permission, an application was rejected with the Government determining that the new National Childrens’ Hospital be located on the grounds of St. James’s Hospital instead.

  • PHIBSBOROUGH VILLAGE CENTRE

The original plans contained in the 2008 LAP for the possible redevelopment of Phibsborough Village Centre have been maintained. However, the future intended use of Dalymount Park has changed. The original LAP provided for the possibility of mixed use residential and recreational development on the site of Dalymount Park. Since the City Council purchase of the site earlier this year, it has been determined that the stadium will continue to be used for sporting facilities.

  • CROSS GUNS site

Proposals for the possible redevelopment remain largely unchanged from the original LAP with a focus on residential with potential mixed use fronting onto Phibsborough Road. New proposals have been incorporated to include objectives for water sports and recreational amenities as set out in the Dublin City Canals report 2010.

  • 104A – 115 DORSET STREET site

Indicative plans to manage the possible development of this site have been included in the draft revised LAP. A maximum of five stories with a potential 6th storey set back have been detailed in the LAP.

  • SMURFIT site

The main focus for this site remains residential with a proposed maximum height of six stories in the centre of the site only. Proposals for a new primary school have been included with plans to enable access to the facility at weekends after it has been built.

  • MOUNT BERNARD PARK

The objectives relating to the park are now set out under the heading of Public Realm and Green Infrastructure.

 

WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS IN THE LOCAL AREA PLAN PROCESS?

Following the conclusion of the Public Consultation phase, the Chief Executive of Dublin City Council will review all submissions made and present a report to City Councillors within twelve weeks. Councillors will then have the opportunity to make amendments to the Plan before formally adopting it. In the event that amendments are made, an additional four week period of public consultation is required. The 2015-2021 Phibsborough Local Area Plan will then come into effect four weeks after the day it is finally adopted by the City Council.

 

HOW WILL THIS LOCA AREA PLAN BE MONITORED AND REVIEWED?

Unlike the original Phibsborough & Mountjoy Local Area Plan, Dublin City Council is to establish a ‘core implementation group’ that will monitor and prioritise the objectives contained in the revised Plan. The implementation body will meet at least three times per year with local Councillors. It is intended that membership of the group will come from:

  • Various City Council Departments.
  • Public Representatives.
  • Other interested bodies & stakeholders.

The final make-up of this group will be determined by Dublin Central and Dublin North West Council Area Committees following the adoption of the Plan.

 

To prevent the same difficulties that arose with the ending of the original LAP, the City Council will, at the end of the fourth year of the plan, undertake a formal review which will be presented to City Councillors in order for them to decide whether to extend, amend or revoke the Plan.

 

HOW YOU CAN HAVE YOUR SAY!

Since the publication of the draft revised Phibsborough Local Area Plan, it has been open to any interested parties to lodge a submission or an observation. Those comments will then allow City Councillors put forward further amendments to the draft Plan. Your submission or observation should be made to Dublin City Council in one of two ways:

  • IN WRITING and addressed to Bernie Mills, Planning, Property, Enterprise & Economic Development Department, Dublin City Council, Block 4, Floor 3, Civic Offices, Wood Quay, Dublin 8
  • BY EMAIL to localareaplan@dublincity.ie.