BHRA Submissions

Main Proposal

The Ballinclea Heights Residents Association proposes the rezoning of the former reservoir site in the centre of Ballinclea Heights to zoning objective F1. See our general Submission #4 on Proposed New Zoning Objective (open space/ recreational amenities. In the 1998 Plan, it is zoned A.

Reasons for Proposal

1. There is a dearth of recreational facilities open to everyone in the area.
2. This open space is in the centre of the community, and is a crucial element in the social fabric of the area.
3. This area is the only flat, safe, overlooked piece of ground where structured recreation can be arranged and in which children can play in safety.
4. This space has been extensively used for social and recreational purposes by the community since the 1960s.
5. Our community has invested time and money in the upkeep and enhancement of this space by the planting of trees and flowers, and by repairs to the perimeter fences and wall.
6. A Millenium Grant of IR3,750 was awarded by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council for the planting of a large scale logo which provides a beautiful showing every Spring.
7. Councillors have already decided in favour of this rezoning through a motion (11 March 2002) to vary the existing Development Plan.

John Kane,
Chairman

Date: 15 July 2002
 

Additional Submissions

Submission 1: Recreation

In general, we see a need for the introduction of structured recreational facilities open to everyone throughout the county. The provision of such facilities would help to solve some of the prevalent social problems, in particular, it would allow for a constructive use of time by teenagers. Recreational facilities should include football, basketball, tennis, skateboarding, playgrounds, etc.

Submission 2: Rights of Way

This county is rich in walking paths established over centuries as rights of way. We believe that these should be recognised and documented in the new Development Plan by a special zoning category. A booklet could be produced and made available through the County Hall and Libraries, and could include a response form which might lead to the identification of lapsed or forgotten rights of way.

Submission 3: Housing Density

In order to prevent Dublin's sprawl stretching from Drogheda to Mullingar to Arklow we propose the following planning principles:

1. Density and height of development should be graded radially based on City, Town & Village status. It is essential that Village identity is maintained and enhanced.
2. Green Belts must be protected and enhanced.
3. The encouragement of the incorporation of basements in any new building would increase the utilisation of precious space.

Submission 4: Proposed New Zoning Objective 11
See our major proposal.

We believe that zoning objective F as it stands is too narrow to reflect the value, usage and purpose of open amenity areas. We therefore propose the introduction of several sub-categories (as is the case in other counties), for instance:

• Zoning Objective F1:
• Purpose: to preserve and provide for structured recreational amenities on open areas to enhance the social fabric of the community.
• Premitted in Principle: all field and court games, skateboarding, playgrounds, recreational facilities, composting bins.

Submission 5: Parking

We believe that the spread of metered parking to residential streets is a retrograde step. It adds to the cost of living for beleagured shoppers, and hinders normal social interaction, such as visiting friends and the elderly.

Submission 6: Park and Ride

Proper provision should be made for parking near Dart stations, together with a more imaginative system of season tickets at reasonabl prices.

Submission 7: Coastal Walks

A concerted effort should be made to enable locals and visition to valk the coast of Dublin Bay. In the DLR area, priority should be given to providing access from Seapoint to Blackrock, from Sandycove to Bullock Harbour, and from Colliemore to Whiterock.

Submission 8: Community/Council Co-operation

With goodwill and planning there is enormous scope for enhancing the open spaces, gardens and houses with floral displays, to the benefit of ourselves and visitors alike. The Parks Department could contribute greatly to this end. It is essential to drastically courtail house/garden organic waste disposal in landfills. To achieve this end, we feel that use should be make of open spaces for composing material which housholders cannot manage themselves. This could be achieved thought the Parks Department's designing and construction of 'Bins' which could be lifted and moved once the material has been composted. This end product could then be recycled to gardens.

Submission 9: Recycling

Every attempt should be made to segregate glass, plastic, textiles, paper and organic waste so that they may be dealt with more effectively, even if the issue of industrial re-use has not been fully resolved. Furthermore, an area should be set aside at dumps and other suitable locations where household goods - furniture etc. - can be made available to other people for re-use. This is done effectively in Continental countries, and cuts down significantly on landfill.

John Kane,
Chairman

Date: 15 July 2002

DLRCoCo, County Hall,
Dun Laoghaire.
Photo: John Hardiman