Development Plan Submission - Fingal...Development Plan Submission Pre-Draft Fingal Development Plan...

Pre-Draft Fingal Development Plan 2017-2023 (Stage 1)

On behalf of: Noel McAllister

MAY 2015

Development Plan Submission

Development Plan Submission Pre-Draft Fingal Development Plan 2017-2023

Downey Planning on behalf of Noel McAllister 1

Executive Summary Downey Planning, 1 Westland Square, Pearse Street, Dublin 2, wishes to make this submission on the

“Pre-Draft Fingal County Development Plan 2017-2023” to Fingal County Council on behalf of our

client . This submission relates to the key

themes of ‘Settlement Strategy’, ‘Placemaking and Communities’ and ‘Infrastructure and Movement’.

The requirement for an additional 41,000 homes and the location of such units within the functional

area of Fingal is a key consideration. In particular, it is submitted that the established towns and

villages, and in particular Donabate should be the primary location for these housing units.

According to the 2011 Census statistics, Donabate and Portrane have a total population of

approximately 8,150 people, consisting predominately of a young age demographic. The population

of Donabate and Portrane is expected to increase significantly, with a population projection of circa

15,000 for Donabate and Portrane by 2020. Therefore it is anticipated that the development boundary

of Donabate will be required to be amended and additional lands for development be made available

to accommodate such growth. In this regard, this submission proposes the planned, consolidated

expansion of lands to the north east of Donabate immediately adjacent existing zoned and residential

constructed lands such that the development of Donabate is consolidated and does not occur in a

piecemeal ad-hoc manner.

It is submitted that the extension of the RS1 lands to the north of Donabate will reduce urban sprawl

and the inefficiencies associated with dispersed settlements patterns by accommodating growth

within Donabate. Noting that there is a quantum of existing constructed and granted residential

development to the north of Donabate, it is considered that the re-zoning of a portion of the lands

from ‘CI’ to ‘LC’, will increase employment opportunities within the village and increase the service

offerings and facilities available to residents north of the village of Donabate.

The Settlement Strategy Background Paper notes that rural villages (such as Donabate) are considered

to be local service centres and support will be given to the growth of local services and enterprise, and

sustainable increases in population which would not create unsustainable commuting patterns. It is

submitted, that the location of housing developments within Donabate should accordingly be

strategically located in close proximity to local centres in order to provide retail, commercial,

restaurant uses etc. in order to serve the existing and proposed residential areas.

This submission draws particular attention to the principles of sustainable development and the

importance of creating residential communities within close proximity of existing communities,

services and transportation nodes. The future development of Donabate should be encouraged

towards the north east of the town noting, that the proposed National Forensic Mental Hospital is to

be located at St. Ita’s hospital, which is accessed via the R126 which enters Donabate to the north

east. It is considered that the provision of such a service/employment opportunities will increase the

requirement for additional housing units within Donabate and the lands to the north east of Donabate

are a logical extension to the development boundary to the north east of the town.

Donabate

Submission to Pre Draft Fingal Development Plan 2017-2023Lands at Donabate on behalf of Noel Mc Allister

Submission to Pre Draft Fingal Development Plan 2017-2023Lands at Donabate on behalf of Noel Mc Allister



Table of Contents

Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................. 1

1.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 3

2.0 Planning Legislation .................................................................................................................... 4

3.0 Fingal Development Plan 2017-2023 Pre-Draft Consultation Booklet ....................................... 7

4.0 Planning Submission ................................................................................................................... 8

4.1 National Spatial Strategy 2002-2020 ...................................................................................... 8

4.2 Regional Planning Guidelines for the Greater Dublin Area 2010-2022 .................................. 9

4.3 Fingal Development Plan 2011-2017 ...................................................................................... 9

4.4 Donabate LAP ........................................................................................................................ 10

4.5 Donabate Overview .............................................................................................................. 11

4.6 Planning Submission ............................................................................................................. 12

5.0 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................. 12

This planning submission is made in response to the statutory review of the Fingal County Development Plan. Stage 1, known as the ‘Pre-Draft’ stage, requires submissions to be of a strategic nature or what the Chief Executives have detailed (Pg.2) ‘the consideration of the “big picture” issues’. Accordingly, this submission has been prepared in the context of ‘Strategic Planning Issues’ which are detailed throughout this submissions to highlight some cross cutting themes that should be examined at the initial stage of the formulation of this important document which will steer development within Fingal until 2023. Whilst there might be mention of specific areas or locations, we wish to note that the submission contained herein is of a strategic content and is not site specific at this stage. We would therefore respectfully request that Fingal County Council consider the strategic content within this planning submission. Downey Planning would like to thank the Council for the opportunity to make this submission, on behalf of our clients whom are strategic landowners, business operators and residents of Fingal.

© Downey Planning 2015

Downey Planning Document Control

Name Date Version

Prepared by Anne McElligott MIPI Consultant Planner

08 May 2015 V_01_DRAFT

Approved by John Downey MIPI MRTPI Director

12 May 2015 V_02_Final



1.0 Introduction In accordance with Section 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended),

Downey Planning, 1 Westland Square, Pearse Street, Dublin 2, wishes to make this submission on the

“Pre-Draft Fingal County Development Plan 2017-2023” to Fingal County Council on behalf of our

client Mr. Noel McAllister, Portrane Road, Donabate, Co. Dublin. This written submission is made in

response to an invitation for comments from interested parties by Fingal County Council. This

submission is being made within the timeframe for submissions (15th May 2015) as set out within the

Consultation Booklet prepared by the Planning Authority.

This submission relates to the ‘Settlement Strategy’, ‘Placemaking and Communities’ and

‘Infrastructure and Movement’ strategies for Fingal County Council with particular reference to the

future development of Donabate and an extension to its existing development boundary.

According to the 2011 Census statistics, Donabate and Portrane have a total population of

approximately 8,150 people, consisting predominately of a young age demographic. The population

of Donabate and Portrane is expected to increase significantly, with a population projection of circa

15,000 for Donabate and Portrane by 2020. Therefore it is anticipated that the development boundary

of Donabate will be required to be amended and additional lands for development be made available

to accommodate such growth. Downey Planning are of the considered opinion that the village should

develop in a planned and sustainable manner that is integrated with high quality public transport and

such a planned extension should occur to the north east of Donabate.

Fig. 1 – Existing Built Area of Donabate



Fig. 2 – Existing Development Boundary of Donabate as set out in Fingal County Development Plan 2011-2017 It is submitted that the lands currently zoned for Local Centre Development are not appropriately

located within Donabate. There are lands zoned for Local Centre Development that are within a

Conservation area with some local centre designated lands too small to accommodate such services

or comprise residential development. It is submitted that additional Local Centre zoned lands are

required within the development boundary of Donabate.

The Department of Environment, Community and Local Government published the ‘Planning Policy

Statement’ in 2015 which notes that planning must proactively drive and support sustainable

development, integrating consideration of its economic, social and environmental aspects at the

earliest stage to deliver the homes, business and employment space, infrastructure and thriving urban

and rural locations in an economically viable manner that will sustain recovery and our future

prosperity.

In this regard, this submission proposes the planned, consolidated expansion of lands to the north

east of Donabate immediately adjacent existing zoned and constructed residential lands such that the

development of Donabate is consolidated and does not occur in a piecemeal ad-hoc manner.

2.0 Planning Legislation Section 9 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) provides that, subject to the

requirements set out in Section 9, 10 and 11 of the Act, that a planning authority must adopt a new

LC Lands- Too Small and Restrictive

LC Lands- Not Appropriate for LC Facilities

LC Lands- Restricted within ACA Designation

LC Lands-Comprises Residential Development



Development Plan every six years. The contents of the Development Plan are set out within Section

10 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) and must include a strategy for the proper

planning and sustainable development of the area of the Development Plan and shall consist of a

written statement and a plan or plans indicating the development objectives for the area in question.

The process for the preparation of the draft Development Plan is contained within Section 11 of the

Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) which states:

“11.—(1) Not later than 4 years after the making of a development plan, a planning authority

shall give notice of its intention to review its existing development plan and to prepare a new

development plan for its area.

(2) A notice under subsection (1) shall be given to the Minister, any prescribed authorities, any

adjoining planning authorities, the Board, any relevant regional authority and any town

commissioners and city and county development boards within the functional area of the

authority and shall be published in one or more newspapers circulating in the area to which the

development plan relates and shall—

(a) state that the planning authority intends to review the existing development plan and to

prepare a new development plan,

(b) indicate that submissions or observations regarding the review of the existing plan and the

preparation of a new development plan may be made in writing to the planning authority

within a specified period (which shall not be less than 8 weeks),

(c) indicate the time during which and the place or places where any background papers or

draft proposals (if any) regarding the review of the existing plan and the preparation of the

new development plan may be inspected.

(3) (a) As soon as may be after giving notice under this section of its intention to review a

development plan and to prepare a new development plan, a planning authority shall take

whatever additional measures it considers necessary to consult with the general public and

other interested bodies.

(b) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (a), a planning authority shall hold public

meetings and seek written submissions regarding all or any aspect of the proposed

development plan and may invite oral submissions to be made to the planning authority

regarding the plan.

(c) In addition to paragraphs (a) and (b), a planning authority shall take whatever measures it

considers necessary to consult with the providers of energy, telecommunications, transport

and any other relevant infrastructure and of education, health, policing and other services in

order to ascertain any long-term plans for the provision of the infrastructure and services in

the area of the planning authority and the providers shall furnish the necessary information

to the planning authority.

(4) (a) Not later than 16 weeks after giving notice under subsection (1), the manager of a

planning authority shall prepare a report on any submissions or observations received under

subsection (2) or (3) and the matters arising out of any consultations under subsection (3).



(b) A report under paragraph (a) shall—

(i) list the persons or bodies who made submissions or observations under this section as

well as any persons or bodies consulted by the authority,

(ii) summarise the issues raised in the submissions and during the consultations, where

appropriate,

(iii) give the opinion of the manager to the issues raised, taking account of the proper

planning and sustainable development of the area, the statutory obligations of any local

authority in the area, and any relevant policies or objectives for the time being of the

Government or of any Minister of the Government, and (iv) state the manager’s

recommendations on the policies to be included in the draft development plan.

(c) A report under paragraph (a) shall be submitted to the members of the planning authority,

or to a committee of the planning authority, as may be decided by the members of the

authority, for their consideration.

(d) Following the consideration of a report under paragraph (c), the members of the planning

authority or of the committee, as the case may be, may issue directions to the manager

regarding the preparation of the draft development plan, and any such directions must take

account of the statutory obligations of any local authority in the area and any relevant policies

or objectives for the time being of the Government or of any Minister of the Government, and

the manager shall comply with any such directions.

(e) Directions under paragraph (d) shall be issued not later than 10 weeks after the submission

of a report in accordance with paragraph (c).

(f) In issuing directions under paragraph (d), the members shall be restricted to considering

the proper planning and sustainable development of the area to which the development plan

relates.

(5) (a) The manager shall, not later than 12 weeks following the receipt of any directions under

subsection (4)(d), prepare a draft development plan and submit it to the members of the

planning authority for their consideration.

(b) The members of a planning authority shall, as soon as may be, consider the draft

development plan submitted by the manager in accordance with paragraph (a).

(c) Where the draft development plan has been considered in accordance with paragraph (b),

it shall be deemed to be the draft development plan, unless, within 8 weeks of the submission

of the draft development plan under paragraph (a), the planning authority, by resolution,

amends that draft development plan.

This submission to the pre-draft of the Development Plan is being made in accordance with Section

11 (2)(b) and 3(b) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) and is being submitted

within the specified timeframe (15th May 2015) as set out in the Fingal Development Plan 2017-2023

Consultation Booklet.



3.0 Fingal Development Plan 2017-2023 Pre-Draft Consultation Booklet Fingal County Council have published a Pre- Draft Consultation Booklet in relation to the Fingal County

Development Plan 2017-2023. Noting that the Development Plan sets out the key policies and

objectives for the entire lands within the functional area of Fingal County Council, the purpose of this

booklet is to outline the key themes/issues to be investigated at this stage in the preparation of the

Development Plan. The booklet sets out 8 key themes as follows:

1. Settlement Strategy – Over the Plan period, Fingal expect to accommodate an additional

41,000 new housing units. How this housing target is to be met will be a key consideration for

the new Development Plan. Providing an appropriate scale and type of housing development

which respects and enhances the character of the urban and rural areas will be a key

challenge.

2. Placemaking & Communities – The Development Plan contains policies and objectives which

ultimately influence the sense of place, identity and character of areas. Good quality public

realm and the design of open spaces can respect and enhance the character and

distinctiveness of an area. The type of facilities provided, their location, building heights etc.

all contribute to creating attractive neighbourhoods, towns and villages and are a key

consideration in the long term development of Fingal.

3. Infrastructure & Movement – Integration between land use and transport is a key

consideration in choosing where to live or locate a business. Promoting walking, cycling and

public transport in conjunction with good road infrastructure are key considerations within

any Development Plan.

4. Economic Development – Fostering employment opportunities within the functional area of

Fingal is essential. Employment opportunities must be provided to coincide with the projected

population increase associated with the 41,000 new households anticipated within the

lifetime of the plan and to counteract the proportion of residents travelling out of Fingal to

work.

5. Green Infrastructure – Fingal’s natural capital including parks, wildlife, coastlines etc. is a

resource and a form of infrastructure that requires policies for its protection, creation and

management. Biodiversity, parks, open space and recreation, landscape, sustainable water

management and archaeological and architectural heritage are key areas of this resource to

be strengthened within the forthcoming Development Plan.

6. Natural Heritage – The Development Plan coincides with the Fingal Diversity Plan which seeks

to protect the natural heritage of Fingal through the development of the Final Ecological

network which sets out a spatial framework for nature conservation and management.

Management of the natural heritage of Fingal will be an integral element of the Fingal

Development Plan 2017-2023.

7. Cultural Heritage – Cultural Heritage encompasses monuments, history, folklore and

traditions that give a sense of identity and place. The Development Plan seeks to protect



structures of historical or cultural significance in accordance with the requirements of the

Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). Policies for their protection will form a

key element of the Development Plan.

8. Impacts on the Environment – Strategic Environmental Assessment, Appropriate Assessment

and Flood Risk Assessments must be carried out which in turn will inform the policies of the

Development Plan.

This submission relates to the key themes of ‘Settlement Strategy’, ‘Placemaking and Communities’

and ‘Infrastructure and Movement’. The requirement for an additional 41,000 homes and the location

of such units within the functional area of Fingal is a key consideration. In particular, it is submitted

that the established towns and villages should be the primary location for these housing units. The

Settlement Strategy Background Paper notes that rural villages (such as Donabate) are considered to

be local service centres and support will be given to the growth of local services and enterprise, and

sustainable increases in population which would not create unsustainable commuting patterns. It is

submitted, that the location of housing developments within Donabate should accordingly be

strategically located with additional local centres iestablished in order to provide retail, commercial,

restaurant uses etc. and serve the existing and proposed residential areas.

In order to facilitate the increase in housing units to meet the projected population increase of

Donabate, it is important that the future development of Donabate takes place in a planned and

sustainable manner that integrates housing and public transport in order to create attractive places

and communities that is transport and people orientated.

4.0 Planning Submission

4.1 National Spatial Strategy 2002-2020

The National Spatial Strategy (NSS) is a twenty year planning framework designed to achieve a better

balance of social, economic, physical development and population growth between the regions. It is

designed to improve the effectiveness of public investment in infrastructure and other relevant

services around the country. It sets out a spatial planning framework to support sustainable rural

settlement, taking account of the evolving nature of settlements.

According to the NSS, sustainable provision of housing in urban areas also involves:

Concentration of development in locations where it is possible to integrate employment,

community services, retailing and public transport;

Avoiding environmentally sensitive areas in developing proposals for major extensions to

built-up areas; and

Placing a high degree of emphasis on creating living environments of the highest quality

through attention to detail in urban design, integration of amenities, facilities for children,

older persons and section of the community with special needs.



4.2 Regional Planning Guidelines for the Greater Dublin Area 2010-2022

The Regional Planning Guidelines (RPGs) is a policy document which aims to direct

the future growth of the Greater Dublin Area over the medium to long term and

works to implement the strategic planning framework set out in the National Spatial

Strategy (NSS) published in 2002. It achieves this through appraisal of the critical

elements involved in ensuring sustainable and good planning, and through the

protection of sensitive and environmentally important locations.

The RPGs inform and direct the City and County Development Plans of each of the Councils in the

Greater Dublin Area.

Donabate is designated within the settlement hierarchy as a ‘Moderate Sustainable Growth Town’

and is described in the settlement hierarchy as a strong edge of metropolitan area district service

centre with high quality linkages and increased densities at nodes on public transport corridors. The

total population for the entire area of Donabate/Portrane was 8,733 persons in April 2011 with the

population of Donabate alone at 6,778 persons. Donabate is expanding rapidly with over 75% growth

in the last ten years with the establishment of household formation age cohorts with subsequently

the creation of now large numbers of children under 15 (almost 33%). Moreover, the population of

the area is anticipated to grow to 22,500 over the period of the next ten years or so (15,000 by 2020).

For Moderate Sustainable Growth Towns within the Metropolitan area, the RPG’s state they will

continue to have a strong role as commuter locations within the fabric of continued consolidation of

the metropolitan area. Growth in these towns needs to ensure that expansion is based on and related

to the capacity of high quality public transport connections and the capacity of social infrastructure.

Emphasis should be placed on encouraging good local connections to adjoining suburbs and towns

and employment locations within the metropolitan area through bus corridors and good cycling and

walking connections.

The future expansion of Donabate would therefore be in accordance with the RPG’s. It is considered

that the designation of additional lands to the north east of the town for residential development, and

the re-zoning of lands to provide for a local centre would contribute to the consolidation of Donabate

and provide for increased employment opportunities in conjunction with additional housing and

population growth.

4.3 Fingal Development Plan 2011-2017

The Fingal Development Plan 2011-2017 sets out Fingal County Council’s policies and objectives for

the development of the County over the Plan period. The Development Plan seeks to secure the

development and improvement in a sustainable manner of the economic, environmental, cultural and

social assets of the County. It is an objective of the current Development Plan to provide for housing

in accordance with the Housing Strategy and to:

“Ensure consolidated development in Fingal by facilitating residential

development in existing urban areas”.



The Background Paper on the Settlement Strategy notes that Fingal currently has a policy of

consolidation with the aim of reducing urban sprawl and the inefficiencies associated with dispersed

settlement patterns. Providing an appropriate scale and type of housing development which respects

and enhances the character of the urban and rural areas will be a key challenge and consideration of

the forthcoming Development Plan.

The strategic overview of the County Plan recognises that Donabate, as a Peninsula, which enjoys

many natural areas including the Rogerstown and Malahide Estuaries which form part of the Natura

2000 network. The plan sets out a development strategy for Donabate which seeks to:

“Protect and enhance the natural amenities and heritage of the peninsula by

consolidating future development within well-defined town boundaries. Promote the

development of a vibrant town core by providing a high quality living environment for the

existing and future population and providing for the development of the necessary

community, commercial, cultural and social facilities in tandem with new residential

development.”

It is a strategic policy of the plan to consolidate the development and protect the unique identities of

settlements such as Donabate.

4.4 Donabate LAP

The Donabate Local Area Plan (LAP) (adopted in 2006) related to the undeveloped residentially zoned

lands at Donabate which comprise four separate tracts of lands zoned RS1 (RA). RS1 zoned lands seeks

to provide for new residential communities in accordance with approved local area plans and subject

to the provision of the necessary social and physical infrastructure.

The overall LAP lands comprise a total of 144 hectares and comprise four separate tracts of lands - to

the west (Turvey); north (Rahillion); east (Ballymastone) and south (Corballis) of Donabate.

The Key Elements of the Strategy for the LAP lands include:

The overall number of residential units to be constructed will be consistent with the National

Spatial Strategy and with the Regional Planning Guidelines for the Greater Dublin Area 2004-

2016 which identifies Donabate as a moderate growth town;

Provide for a number of distinctive Character Areas within the LAP lands at Corballis and

Ballymastone;

Providing for the clustering of local service, educational and recreational facilities at Corballis

and Ballymastone within walking distance of the majority of residents;

Sustain and augment community services and facilities in Donabate;

Promote the provision of additional retail, service, office, educational, healthcare,

recreational and community facilities at appropriate locations to meet the demands of the

expanding town;

Promote principles of sustainable neighbourhood design in new housing areas;

Promote well-designed quality residential development at higher densities at suitable

locations;



Provide for a high quality sustainable urban environment with a high degree of legibility and

permeability for cyclists and pedestrians.

The extension of the boundary line to the north east of Donabate and the provision of a local centre

to serve existing and granted residential developments is considered to be in accordance with the

requirements of the Donabate Local Area Plan. It should be noted that the Donabate Local Area Plan

is also due for review.

4.5 Donabate Overview

The Donabate / Portrane area is a rapidly expanding area with an exceptional amount of pre-school

children and primary school children. This is due to the fact that the area has a large amount of

“parents” in the age cohorts of 30-49.

It should be noted that in Census 2001, the area had few children and a huge amount of newly married

couples indicating that the population pyramid for this area is a key fundamental of the composition,

inter alia, the amount of children in the area is far beyond the average of the state.

Moreover, the population of the area is anticipated to

grow to 22,500 over the period of the next ten years or so.

This is due to the fact that the amount of available zoned

lands in the area were never fully utilised during the

‘boom’ years due to restrictions on foul sewerage

provision.

With the recent completion of the new Donabate WWTP,

a housing shortage, its location adjoining a major rail line

into the city and by virtue of its designation with the

Regional Planning Guidelines as a Designated Growth

Area, it is our considered opinion that this anticipated

growth in population size has to be considered.

It is anticipated that as the economy of Dublin continues

to grow, further demand and pressure for housing in the

Dublin suburbs and commuter towns such as Donabate

will occur. The most sustainable form of development is to

integrate planning and land use to ensure that future

residential developments, with associated local amenities

and services, are located within walking/cycling distance

of high quality public transport corridors such as railway

stations and other key services.

It is also important to note, that the proposed National

Forensic Mental Hospital is to be located at St. Ita’s hospital, which is accessed via the R126 which

enters Donabate to the North East. It is considered that the provision of such a service will increase

the requirement for additional housing units within Donabate, given that 400-500 people will be

employed within the hospital and the lands to the north east of Donabate are a logical extension to

the development boundary of the town.



4.6 Planning Submission

The statutory Plans and Guidelines advocate and support the future growth of towns and villages,

such as Donabate, in a consolidated manner. The importance of rural villages to the growth and

viability of the Greater Dublin Area must be recognised and supported by the implementation of a

strategic planning approach to the future development of the villages. Such an approach should be

based on a policy of consolidation within development boundaries of villages and towns.

With regards to Donabate, the population of the village over the next 10 years is expected to nearly

double and accordingly amendments to the development boundary to provide for such an anticipated

population growth and associated housing growth is required.

It is submitted that the extension of the RS1 lands to the north east of Donabate will reduce urban

sprawl and the inefficiencies associated with dispersed settlements patterns by accommodating

growth within Donabate, consolidating the edge of Donabate and providing appropriate LC zoned

lands to the north east of the lands.

Noting that there is a quantum of existing constructed and granted residential development to the

north of Donabate, it is considered that the re-zoning of a portion of the lands from ‘CI - Provide for

and protect civic, religious, community, education, health care and social infrastructure’ to ‘LC-

Protect, provide for and/or improve local centre facilities’, will increase employment opportunities

within the village and increase the service offerings and facilities available to residents north of the

village of Donabate.

This submission draws particular attention to the principles of sustainable development and the

importance of creating residential communities within close proximity of existing communities,

services and transportation nodes. The future development of Donabate should be encouraged

towards the north east of the town noting, that the proposed National Forensic Mental Hospital is to

be located at St. Ita’s hospital, which is accessed via the R126 which enters Donabate to the north

east. It is considered that the provision of such service/employment opportunities will increase the

requirement for additional housing units within Donabate and the lands to the north east of Donabate

are a logical extension to the development boundary of the town.

The Background Paper on the Settlement Strategy notes that Fingal currently has a policy of

consolidation with the aim of reducing urban sprawl and the inefficiencies associated with dispersed

settlement patterns. Providing an appropriate scale and type of housing development which respects

and enhances the character of the urban and rural areas will be a key challenge and consideration of

the forthcoming Development Plan. The extension of the development boundary of Donabate to the

north east to provide for additional RS1 zoned lands and the re-zoning of CI lands to LC will consolidate

development and direct housing into Donabate village. The provision of a new local centre at this

location would represent a clear community and planning gain for the area.

Downey Planning are of the considered opinion that the extension of the development boundary of

Donabate to the north east would ensure that the future growth of the village will take place in a

sustainable and consolidated manner in accordance with National, Regional and Local planning policy.

5.0 Conclusion



This submission has been prepared by Downey Planning and relates to the key themes of ‘Settlement

Strategy’, ‘Placemaking and Communities’ and ‘Infrastructure and Movement’. The requirement for

an additional 41,000 homes and the location of such units within the functional area of Fingal is a key

consideration. In particular, it is submitted that the established towns and villages should be the

primary location for these housing units.

It is anticipated that as the economy of Dublin continues to grow, further demand and pressure for

housing in the Dublin suburbs and commuter towns such as Donabate will occur. The most sustainable

form of development is to integrate planning and land use to ensure that future residential

developments, with associated local amenities and services, are located within walking/cycling

distance of high quality public transport corridors such as railway stations and other key services.

It is submitted that the extension of the RS1 lands to the north of Donabate will reduce urban sprawl

and the inefficiencies associated with dispersed settlements patterns by accommodating growth

within the development boundary Donabate.

It is also important to note, that the proposed National Forensic Mental Hospital is to be located at St.

Ita’s hospital, which is accessed via the R126 which enters Donabate to the North East. It is considered

that the provision of such a service will increase the requirement for additional housing units within

Donabate and the lands to the north east of Donabate are a logical extension to the development

boundary to the north east of the town.

Noting that there is a quantum of existing constructed and granted residential development to the

north east of Donabate, it is considered that the re-zoning of a portion of the lands from ‘CI - Provide

for and protect civic, religious, community, education, health care and social infrastructure’ to ‘LC-

Protect, provide for and/or improve local centre facilities’, will increase employment opportunities

within the village and increase the service offerings and facilities available to residents north of the

village of Donabate. This will ensure the long term sustainability of the village.

Downey Planning are of the considered opinion that the extension of the development boundary of

Donabate to the north east would ensure that the future growth of the village will take place in a

sustainable and consolidated manner.

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