Tag Archives: Blackrock

Pre-draft Consultation Submission on Blackrock Local Area Plan

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Please read below my submission on Blackrock Local Area Plan.

Pre-draft Consultation Submission on Blackrock Local Area Plan

As the local elected representative for the Dun Laoghaire constituency, it is with great pleasure that I welcome the start of the Local Area Plan process for Blackrock town. This offers an invaluable opportunity for the communities of Blackrock to contribute by providing valuable input that will positively shape the future of our town.

Below are the main issues I feel should be given strong consideration in the Local Area Plan:

  1. Although it is a seaside town, one would not notice this upon first arrival. Our prime location needs to be better highlighted.
  2. Access to the seashore is restricted by the railway line.  If the current pedestrian bridge is improved, perhaps people will be more incentivised to avail of our prime coastal location.
  3. The re-development of both the Frascati and Blackrock Shopping Centre sites would bring a welcome boost to both local consumers and retailers.
  4. Re-establish the provision of S2S in as far as possible.
  5. Bicycles for rent could also be made available around the Dart station, allowing people to cycle along the coastline and enjoy the sea view.
  6. Shop front design and signage could be improved in the town.
  7. The Main Street could be more welcoming and vibrant if more trees and flowers were included.
  8. Substandard quality of the public areas on Main Street, Bath Place, Georges Street and Rock Hill, in particular the condition of the pathways, kerbing and street surfaces.
  9. Current lack of appealing outdoor meeting space that could be used for social gatherings or markets. Current market area needs to be improved.
  10. Put unsightly electrical cables beyond Main Street underground.
  11. Blackrock could become more village like by encouraging more artisan, specialist local shops and boutiques.
  12. Improvement of public parking provision. Current Council car parks are quite badly maintained. A possible alternative would be the construction of a multi storey car park in the town.
  13. Need incentives to encourage landlords to short term rent idle retail units to start-up companies or established businesses looking to set up in Blackrock
  14. Consider new traffic plan for part of the main street that was converted many years ago to a one way street. The current system negatively affects retail businesses along this route. If this route was re-opened it would act also as an alternative route option for commuters to Dun Laoghaire. This would ease traffic on the Rock bypass for those wanting to use the coast road to get to Dun Laoghaire and at the same time drive more people into Blackrock and increase levels of trade
  15. Improvement of Blackrock by-pass so it is more aesthetically pleasing, i.e. planting.
  16. Re-development of former Blackrock Baths site in preparation of the planned welcome urban beach at this location.
  17. Explore possibility of opening section of Blackrock Park nearest the town at Rockhill. This would make the Park more visible and accessible to the town as was outlined in the Blackrock Park Master Plan.
  18. The vibrancy of the town would be ensured if a renewed effort to support a ‘living over the shop’ scheme was included in the LAP.
  19. Increased emphasis is needed on ensuring that the large and vital number of office blocks and other office accommodation is maintained. These offices provide jobs and support local businesses.
  20. There is currently no delineation between the business areas and the resident’s homes in zoned E lands in Brookfield Terrace. These need to be clearly separated.
  21. There is an opportunity for the Council to create a wider walkway between the station and Blackrock Park by acquiring some of the land from the Deepwell on Rockhill property that abuts the laneway between the DART station and Blackrock Park.
  22. Consider deleting QBC as shown on the map for Rockhill and Main Street.
  23. Building height restrictions should be included in the LAP for future developments.
  24. Recent flooding incidents in the town have illustrated how vulnerable the town can become to such weather problems. Defence measures should be considered and incorporated into any plans drawn up for future development.
  25. A new street furniture scheme should be included in the plan for the town centre.
  26. Free Wi-Fi in the town would be a very modern and advantageous feature for the town. It would improve both the locals and tourists experience of Blackrock.
  27. The history and culture of the town has and should continue to play an important role in shaping and developing the town’s image and features. They should be incorporated in some way into the plan.
  28. It would be worthwhile including the existing residential areas of Maretimo/Newtown Avenue as far as Seapoint Avenue in the LAP area as these are some of the nearest residents to the town centre.
  29. I would welcome proposals on how to increase the number of on street parking spaces in the town.
  30. Consideration should be given to redesign and improve the road design in the section of the Blackrock by pass from its junction with George’s Avenue to the junction with Carysfort Avenue.
  31. Increase cycle parking around the town.

I trust these suggestions will be given strong consideration. I look forward to the next stage of the Local Area Plan process.

Yours sincerely,

Mary Mitchell O’Connor

Draft Blackrock Local Area Plan

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Draft Blackrock Local Area Plan and Screening Reports

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to Section 20(3) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), that Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council, being the Planning Authority for the County, proposes to make a Local Area Plan for Blackrock.

In complying with the Strategic Environment Assessment Directive (2001/42/EC) and the Planning and Development (Strategic Environmental Assessment) Regulations, 2004, (as amended) Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has determined that a Strategic Environmental Assessment is not required.

It has also been determined that an Appropriate Assessment pursuant to Article 6 (3) and (4) of the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC and the European Communities (Birds & Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011, is not required.

A copy of the Draft Local Area Plan, the Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment Screening Reports, will be available for inspection from Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays) from Thursday 9th  May, 2013 to Thursday 20th June, 2013   inclusive at the following locations:-

  • Public Concourse, County Hall, Dún Laoghaire (9.00a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)
  • Council Offices, Dundrum Office Park, Dundrum (9.30 a.m. – 12.30p.m. & 1.30p.m. – 4.30p.m.)
  • All branches of Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown Libraries during library opening hours.

The Draft Local Area Plan and Screening Reports may also be viewed on or downloaded from the Council’s website at www.dlrcoco.ie

Draft Blackrock Local Area Plan and Screening Reports

Public information days:

Two Public Information Days will be held in respect of the Draft Local Area Plan, at which Planning Department staff will be available to answer queries and accept written submissions on the following dates:

  • Tuesday 21st  May, 2013  between the hours of 2.00p.m. to 6.00p.m

and

  • Monday 27th May, 2013 between the hours 4.00p.m. to 8.00p.m.

at Urban Junction Youth and Community Centre, Main Street/Newtown Avenue, Blackrock (beside Town Hall)

Submissions and observations may be made in one of the following ways:-

1.Write to:

Senior Executive Officer,
Planning  and Enterprise Department,
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council,
County Hall,
Marine Road,
Dun Laoghaire.

2.Email to:

blackrocklap@dlrcoco.ie

All submissions and observations in respect of the Draft Blackrock Local Area Plan, made in writing to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council within the above time period will be taken into consideration by the Council in deciding upon the Draft Local Area Plan.

Note:

  • Children, or groups or associations representing the interests of children, are entitled to make submissions or observations.
  • All submissions and observations should include your name and a contact address and where relevant, details of any organisation, community group or company etc., which you represent.
  • Please make your submission by one medium only, i.e. hard copy or e-mail.

PLEASE NOTE:

YOU ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO MAKE YOUR SUBMISSION AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.

CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMISSIONS:  5.00pm on Thursday 20th June,   2013

LATE SUBMISSIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Declan McCulloch
Acting Director of Services,
Planning & Enterprise Department,
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council,
County Hall,
Marine Road,
Dún Laoghaire.

9th May, 2013.

Grove Avenue/Talbot Lodge Road Safety Scheme – Non Statutory Public Consultation

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Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council is proposing to implement road safety measures on Grove Avenue, Blackrock between Talbot Lodge entrance and Avoca Road junction.

The proposed scheme is being undertaken to address road safety issues on Grove Avenue including the entrance to Talbot Lodge estate where the visibility for vehicles exiting Talbot Lodge is restricted to the left by an earth bank and a line of trees. The scheme also  addresses safety issues for pedestrians and cyclists by reducing traffic speeds along this section of road and also providing an uncontrolled raised crossing point for pedestrians to access the footpath on the East side of Grove Avenue.

The scheme provides for the construction of two mini roundabouts on Grove Avenue at the Avoca Road junction and at the Talbot Lodge entrance.

An uncontrolled raised platform will also be provided on Grove Avenue to reduce vehicle speeds and provide a crossing point for pedestrians to the footpath opposite.

The scheme is designed to significantly improve road safety for all road users on Grove Avenue.

Plans illustrating the above scheme will be on display from Wednesday 26th February, 2013 to Wednesday 27th March, 2013 at Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, County Hall, Marine Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co.Dublin and also in Blackrock and Stillorgan libraries.

Plans are also available to download on Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown’s website:-www.dlrcoco.ie

Grove Avenue/Talbot Lodge Road Safety Scheme – Summary

Grove Avenue/Talbot Lodge Road Safety Scheme (pdf -234kb)

Submissions and Observations are to be marked “Grove Avenue/Talbot Lodge submission” and sent to: – Transportation Department, DLRCC, 1 Harbour Square, Crofton Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, or by e-mail to traffic@dlrcoco.ie

The Closing Date for receipt of comments is: – Wednesday 27th March, 2013.

More than €4m made available for smarter travel projects in Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown – Mitchell O’Connor

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Funds will significantly improve the lives of pedestrians, motorists and cyclists

Fine Gael Dun Laoghaire Deputy, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, has welcomed the announcement of more than €4 million for smarter travel projects in Dun Laoghaire and Rathdown, which is being made available by the National Transport Authority to improve pedestrian access and encourage greater use of bikes and public transport.

“A wide range of projects are being planned for construction or design this year, thanks to the provision of €4,265,000 for Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council. The projects are aimed at making travel around the constituency safer for local people as well as putting the infrastructure in place to encourage people to ditch the car in favour of walking or cycling as their primary mode of transport.

“Dublin is such a great city to cycle around and the improvements that are planned for cyclists that use the N11 corridor, those attending UCD, cyclists in Stillorgan, Monkstown, Belfield, Blackrock, Windy Arbour and beyond will not only make it easier for cyclists to get around, it will also make it safer.

“A number of studies are also to be commission aimed at identifying improvements to transport networks for pedestrians, cyclists, public and private transport in a bid to determine how best to improve the environment and traffic concerns. All of this is taking place despite our budgetary constraints with the focus on enhancing the lives and the safety of all people in Dun Laoghaire and Rathdown.

“Footpaths and carriageways will be reconstructed along Braemor Road, which includes the provision of new cycle track and an improved interchange between bus and rail is to be designed for Dun Laoghaire which will encourage the use of local transport and help save commuters time.A new access route to Sandyford from the M50 will go to design stage and a feasibility study will be carried out into the provision of a public bike hire scheme for Dun Laoghaire.

“These new developments will go a long way to improving access for people irrespective of whatever mode of transport they opt for. But most importantly it will make cycling and walking more appealing, having knock-on benefits for the mind, body and soul of those who avail of it.”