FINGAL County Council and the Gardai have enforced a crackdown on haphazard parking at a Dublin 15 national school.
The council’s road safety section has been brought in to tackle traffic chaos and illegal parking at St Mochta’s NS in Porterstown, Dublin 15.
Local councillor Kieran Dennison (FG) said traffic congestion in and around St Mochta’s is worse than at any other school in the area.
“At the morning and afternoon pickup times, there is traffic chaos outside the school along the narrow Porterstown Road,” he said.New measures to tackle school parking problem Print
Wednesday, 11 November 2009
FINGAL County Council and the Gardai have enforced a crackdown on haphazard parking at a Dublin 15 national school.
The council’s road safety section has been brought in to tackle traffic chaos and illegal parking at St Mochta’s NS in Porterstown, Dublin 15.
Local councillor Kieran Dennison (FG) said traffic congestion in and around St Mochta’s is worse than at any other school in the area.
“At the morning and afternoon pickup times, there is traffic chaos outside the school along the narrow Porterstown Road,” he said.
“Even the school wardens find it difficult to get children in and out of the school safely and do not always get co-operation from motorists.
“While some parents’ park at the Clonsilla Inn car park and walk to the school, too many others drive there in the expectation that the few available parking spaces will be free.
He added: “Double yellow lines and hazard markings are often ignored despite pleas from the parents’ association and school wardens. Local estates such as Aspen and Lime Lawn have similar problems with the traffic due to their proximity to the school and this issue must be addressed as well.”
Fingal County Council says it provides a school warden service on the Clonsilla Road and on Porterstown Road and outlined what other measures have been implemented to address the matter.
“School Keep Clear markings have been provided on both of these roads in the environs of the school warden crossing points to keep the road space free of parked vehicles, especially at school opening and closing times,” he said.
We refer to the above application and note the receipt of significant information from the applicants.
In its request for additional information the Planning Authority commented that
“Having regard to the location of the subject site within a 5-10 minute walking distance of Clonsilla Train Station, and the ‘SC’ Suburban Centre zoning objective that pertains to the subject site, the proposed mixed-use development and increased density in the southern portion of the site are welcomed by the Planning Authority.
Notwithstanding this, the proposed development, which has considerable frontage onto the Clonsilla Road, fails to take due cognisance of the special village character of Clonsilla which is characterized by its linear village and is accentuated by the attractive and extensive tree planting on either side of the Clonsilla Road.”
In our original submission we suggested that higher density on this site was unnecessary given that three thousand high density units were being provided in the nearby Hansfield SDZ. Since this is the only remaining site to be developed along the northern side of the Clonsilla Road there is a strong argument for providing densities and housing types similar to what is already there in the Castlefield and Portersgate Estates. Were this to be the case there would indeed be a need to retain the trees and hedges along the roadside. However, it is difficult to understand how the current hedges and trees, if they were to be retained, could possibly screen the proposed four storey ‘shoe box style’ apartment blocks from those using the road or the unfortunate residents of the cottages across the road.
Some aspects of the additional information are very welcome. The decision to move the site further to the east, away from the Portesgate Houses is to be welcomed and will help to preserve the trees and hedging there.
The Arborists report, which has been accepted by the parks department, states that the trees along the Clonsilla Road cannot be retained due to root damage from previous works along the road and because of the requirement for new underground services proximate to the boundary. Presumably, for the same reason, this means that no new trees of any considerable size can be planted here and that only a patched up old hedge will remain to screen off the proposed apartment blocks.
The special character of Clonsilla village is based on a number of factors and not just the tree planting on either side of the road. This development will change forever the vista as one travels along the road from east to west. It will make development on the southern side of the side of the road inevitable given the damage it will cause to the residential amenity there.
At this place and time we feel that the need to retain and protect the unique character of Clonsilla village outweighs any requirements for higher density at this location.
Yours Sincerely,
Cllr. Kieran Dennison
Dr. Leo Varadkar T.D.
La Vista Ltd and EP Lynam Properties Ltd have submitted the additional information requested by the Planning Authority for the proposed development in Clonsilla (FW09A/0019/A1.
While some useful changes have been requested and made, the development fails to take due cognisance of the special village character of Clonsilla.
High density development of up to five stories is unsuitable for his site. It’s proximity to the rail station means that the planners must encourage high density something which is supported by both the Green and Labour Parties. However, there are already three thousand units planned for the Hansfield SDZ at Clonsilla Station. This is why in a recent submission to the planners with Leo Varadkar T.D., I suggested that at this place and time the need to retain and protect the unique character of Clonsilla village outweighs any requirements for higher density at this location.
Among the changes provided for in the additional information are:
The houses backing onto Portersgate Estate have been moved away further east providing for larger rear gardens of approximately 80sq.m. to make up for the nonprovision of Class 1 open space. This will be welcomed by Portersgate residents and will help protect the trees and hedging along the boundary.
In the first scheme two bed apartments accounted for 89% of units and this has been altered at the request of the planners to 64% with three beds now accounting for 24% of units and one beds 11%. Requests for additional storage space and balconys for apartments have been supplied as has bin storage for the terraced houses.
Additional information has been supplied to the council's parks, water and transport departments as well as a road safety audit.
Extract from County Council meeting 25 October 2001
It was proposed by Councillor S. Terry, seconded by Councillor G. Lynam: -
"That this Committee recommends that the Manager should report on the impact of the one way system on the portion of Clonsilla Road from the junction at Blanchardstown Road South to the "Fire Station" road"
The following report by the Manager was READ: -
"The Roads and Traffic Committee at its meeting held on 22nd November 1999 was informed that the detailed design for the Blanchardstown Quality Bus Corridor and Cycle Route had been completed by the Councils Consultants and that the contract for the works was awarded to South Midland Construction Limited. The Committee was also informed that following evaluation of the detailed design proposals and further consultations with the Dublin Transportation Office, Dublin Bus and An Garda Siochana that the Councils Consultants were asked to consider additional bus priority and traffic calming measures in a number of areas. The areas examined included the location referred to in the Motion. The provision of traffic calming measures (one-way system westwards) on Clonsilla Road from its junction at Porters Road to the roundabout at the junction of Clonsilla Road and Blanchardstown Road South was recommended.
The Roads and Traffic Committee resolved: -
That the proposals be put on public display as part of the public consultation process.
The plans and particulars of the proposals were available for inspection from Tuesday, 30th November 1999 to Tuesday 21st December 1999 at the Councils Offices at 46/49 Upper OConnell Street, Dublin 1, the Blanchardstown Public Library, Roselawn Shopping Centre and the Council Offices at Main Street, Blanchardstown. Representations were invited to be made in writing to the County Council by 7th January 2000.
A report on the representations received, including the representations received in relation to the proposed one-way system at Clonsilla Road was submitted to the Roads and Traffic Committee at its meeting held on 24th January 2000. The Councils response to representations in relation to the proposed one-way system indicated that the proposals will lead to an improved environment for residents and that the alternative routes are acceptable.
The Committee adopted and approved the report and the one-way system was brought into operation at the beginning of September of this year.
The introduction of the one-way system has achieved the objective of a reduction in traffic volumes using Blanchardstown Main Street and Clonsilla Road.
In the initial stages the new traffic layout gave rise to complaints from commuters at peak times. The level of complaint has considerably reduced over recent weeks. However it is proposed to continue to monitor the operation of the one-way system and to effect any necessary further improvements."
Following discussion, the Committee NOTED the foregoing report.
The Committee also requested that consideration be given to the following matters: -
1. Provision of right turning lane from Clonsilla Road onto Shelerin Road;
2. Operation of right turning lane from Clonsilla Road onto Coolmine Road;
3. Traffic Management at the junction of Blanchardstown Road South/Link Road to Snugborough Road Extension including operation of traffic signals at this location.
The planners have made a decision to seek additional information on both of the Lynam Planning applications on the Clonsilla Link Road (Ref: FW09A/0019 & FW09A/0021). Those of us who opposed the main development will be depressed by the Planning Authority’s opening comments on their decision “Having regard to the location of the subject site within a 5-10 minute walking distance of Clonsilla Train Station, and the ‘SC’ Suburban Centre zoning objective that pertains to the subject site, the proposed mixed-use development and increased density in the southern portion of the site are welcomed by the Planning Authority.
Notwithstanding this, the proposed development, which has considerable frontage onto the Clonsilla Road, fails to take due cognisance of the special village character of Clonsilla.” They then go on to discuss tree retention, railing heights, grass verges and landscaping. See the full decision here
The applicant has six months to furnish the additional information and when received the council will publish a notice of it in the weekly planning list so I’ll keep you posted. Objectors will then have two weeks to make further submissions. There were 35 submissions in total which is very high for this type of development. There was no objection from Fianna Fail or the Green Party but you can view the Fine Gael objection below.
The long awaited parking scheme for Clonsilla Station and Portersgate Estate has been shelved by the council citing lack of funds. This is a huge let down for the local residents association, and all of us who have campaigned to regularise commuter parking in the area. The council have already paid consultants a fortune examining and designing the scheme. Now it looks like it will never be done.
I was Chairman of the Portersgate Residents Association in 2002 when we first requested a Pay & Display System similar to the one planned for Malahide that year. Since then schemes have been introduced in Skerries in 2005, in Balbriggan and Swords in 2006, and in Rush in 2008.
In my October Newsletter I reported that the scheme was to go to tender by the end of 2008 but warned that “cutbacks in expenditure could significantly delay the project”. I had hoped that this might motivate local councillors to ensure the project go ahead but alas not so. Some councillors objected to the scheme from the outset. Others obviously have priorities in their own areas. No doubt we will hear lots of promises in the coming months as we did in 2004. Since then councillors have approved over €2 billion in spending. In January they adopted a €270m budget for 2009, up 4.8% on last year. This project would only represent 0.2% of that. http://www.csea.ie/traffic-management-schemes
With so many residential units in the pipeline for the area we feel that the small gain from higher density in this application is not justified given the negative impact it would have on the unique character of the area. The site in question is zoned with objective ‘SC’ - “to protect and enhance the special physical and social character of major suburban centres and provide and/or improve urban facilities”.
The site has been the subject of a number of previous applications. Although it was not included in the study area of the Clonsilla Urban Strategy, it is referred to as Opportunity Area No. 7 in the final draft. This reflects its central location and the impact any development here will have on what is essentially an old nineteenth century linear estate village.
The site itself is triangular and bounded on both the east and west by two-storey semi detached housing. A potential problem in the layout of the two-storey houses in the application is that the gable walls seems very close to the rear of some of the houses backing onto the site from Portersgate Estate. These were built with extended kitchens which are not indicated in the map and so are much closer than the plans suggest.
The southern side is bounded by the Clonsilla Road which experiences very heavy traffic. Across the road are a number of original single-storey old council cottages which the urban strategy seeks to protect. The old one-storey post office which is opposite the link road is singled out for protection as is the old forge in the middle of the road near the railway bridge. Beside it is St. Mary’s Church which is listed as a protected structure. There is extensive tree planting and hedging along the road and wide green verges making for very pleasing aspects.
The whole effect is very picturesque and apart from the constant traffic and ugly overhead lines this side of the village is virtually unchanged in over a hundred years. Indeed it is one of the most important characteristics of the village and presumably is what the urban strategy refers to when it states that “the planning Authority will seek to reinforce the village character” (CEO 3).
The current application proposes four-storey “shoe box style” apartment blocks along the Clonsilla road’s northern boundary with the site. These four-storey buildings are out of sympathy with the neighbouring two-storey estates and will tower over the small cottages on the southern side of the road. Allowing this application will transform the area such that similar development on the southern side of the road will be inevitable, contrary to the objectives urban strategy.
The proposed five-storey block at the junction of the Link road will certainly be a ‘feature’ but not one enjoyed by local residents or commuters and will alter forever the picturesque vista as one approaches this end of the village.
The arguments in favour of higher density on this site must be considered in context with the developments already taking place around the Clonsilla Rail Station. At the western end of the station the Hansfield SDZ provides for over 3,000 residential units. The recently rezoned Kellystown Lands to the station’s south eastern side could provide for some 1,500 units and it’s possible that in the future development may be sought for the lands at Beechpark to the south of the station.
Infill sites identified in the Clonsilla Urban Strategy provide for both houses and apartments. Those within the village are to be mainly two-storeys with the few three-storey buildings indicated away from the road and closer to the canal. Developments on adjoining sites such as this one should at least be of similar character.
With so many residential units in the pipeline for the area we feel that the small gain from higher density in this application is not justified given the negative affect it would have on the unique character of the area.
This site is the last remaining one on the northern side of the Clonsilla Road. The applicants were responsible for most of the other houses built here as Charnwood and the various Castlefield estates. As with most developments infrastructure is the last phase to be built but it is regrettable that some type of community facility has not have been included in this application to provide for the hundreds of residents who chose to make their homes here. The urban strategy identifies the lack of such facilities in the area (section 5.0)
Yours Sincerely, Yours Sincerely
Kieran Dennison Dr. Leo Varadkar T.D.
Clonsilla To Go High Rise - Plans, Drawings and further information will be on display at our Information Evening Upstairs in the Clonsilla Inn on Tuesday Jan 13th from 7.30pm to 9 pm.
Two planning applications were submitted on December 23rd which may be of interest to residents of Clonsilla. Both are at the Junction of the Clonsilla Road / New Link Road, accross from the filling station. Objections must be made by February 4th accompanied by the requisite €20 fee.
Paul & Harry Warnock have applied (F08A/1440) to redevelop the Old Post Office (beside the funeral home) and the site behind it for a medical centre, crèche, community studios, nursing home, semi-support elderly housing/ apartments. You may recall I alerted you to a previous application on this site for a large private car parking facility in May last year which was declared invalid and it seems that this one has been as well.
Across the road at the junction of the New Link Road, E P Lynam Properties have applied (F08A/1445) to develop the vacant site there for a mixed use residential and neighbourhood centre totalling 176 dwellings of up to 5 storeys in height.
Thirty three 3 and 4 bed houses will back onto Portersgate Estate. The remaining 143 apartments comprising 3 and 4 storey blocks will front onto the New Link Road and the Clonsilla Road. Completing the development is a 5 storey ‘feature’ building at the corner with the New Link Road comprising a neighbourhood centre of 5 Retail Units. Unlike a previous application on this site there is no proposal included for a licensed premises. The entrance to the development will be opposite the entrance to Castlefield Court Estate. One of my criticisms of the current council’s Clonsilla Urban Strategy, which mandates a maximum height of three storeys for the village, was that it did not apply to this site. While some political parties will no doubt support such high density development beside a train station a 5 storey building here is a out of character with the area.
Lynam’s have also submitted an application (F08A/1444) to for a 1 and 2 storey Creche at their other site adjoining the Ongar Road to service the 182 dwellings proposed there (F05A/1153) as well as the new development. There has already been some site preparation here but I am informed there will be no further work given the disastrous state our economy is in.
December 23 seems to have been a busy day in the planning office. Among the other applications submitted on was one for 538 dwellings with associated shops, offices etc. in blocks up to four storeys high (F08A/1425) on the vacant site at St. Patrick’s National School in Carpenterstown.
On the same day Uxbridge Ltd. submitted new plans (F08A/0892) for the controversial high rise development opposite Myos in Castleknock which your local Fine Gael team objected to previously. We will continue working on your behalf.
Clonsilla Road One-Way System: The Council are still dragging their heels on the opening of the one way system. Indications are that Fingal intend to appoint consultants to once more ‘look into it’ with the possibility of installing a bus gate so that only buses can use it two-ways. This seems surprising given how few buses use the road anymore.
Aldemere – Mount Symon Green Space: The Council have promised to examine this area with a view to installing bollards or other appropriate boundary treatments in response to complaints of cars being driven across the open space.
New Park At Beechpark Ready By Spring 2009: The Park behind Clonsilla Railway Station has now been substantially completed to include two new pitches, a new play facility, perimeter paths and car parking. Landscaping and tree planting will take place this winter with a view to opening to the public in Spring/Summer 2009.
Portersgate –Hansfield Road Parking Scheme: The Council say that the proposed parking scheme at Clonsilla Station and Portersgate will still be put to tender by the end of this year with work commencing in the spring. I am concerned that cut backs in expenditure could significantly delay the project. There is also a real need to roll out the scheme to address the problem of commuter parking in neighbouring estates and roads and this should be done now. We will continue to make representations to the Council on this.
Wasteful Hansfield Raod Proposal defeated. Tax payer saved a small fortune - click on header for submissions
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