New draft planning scheme for Poolbeg Peninsula

The Docklands Authority has published a draft planning scheme for over 100 acres on the Poolbeg Peninsula and has invited submissions during the 62 day public consultation phase which starts this week. Copies of the Poolbeg Planning Scheme and the related Environmental Impact Statement are available for inspection in the Docklands Authority’s office until Thursday 9th April and will be displayed in five other locations throughout Docklands until 6th March. Written submissions are invited before a final draft Planning Scheme is prepared for consideration by the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

The overall vision for the development of the Poolbeg Peninsula is to create an urban waterside quarter that facilitates sustainable and consolidated growth of Dublin city and articulates a new relationship between the city and the bay. It is planned that the new quarter will provide for commercial, residential, cultural and amenity uses, whilst balancing the essential industrial and infrastructural requirements of the area. The recreational and amenity potential will be enhanced through a landscape and environmental framework, designed to optimise the natural resources of the peninsula.

Paul Maloney, Chief Executive said that since April 2007 when the Docklands Authority received an order from the Minister, directing the preparation of this draft planning scheme, a considerable amount of consultation had been undertaken.

“The Planning Scheme has been prepared following engagement with all stakeholders including the landowners, local communities, utility companies, state and semi-state bodies over the period in advance of this formal public consultation phase. We have also met with many of the residents from the Ringsend, Irishtown, Sandymount and Poolbeg areas, and the Docklands Council members to capture their vision for the area and understand their concerns. This consultation has been invaluable in informing the development and the production of the draft Planning Scheme. It will continue not only during the consultation but over the full period of implementation and as development occurs in the area”

“The Poolbeg Peninsula occupies a unique gateway location on Dublin bay, and provides an outstanding opportunity to create a new sustainable living and working community within just two kilometres from O’Connell Street. We are now inviting all interested parties to participate in the public consultation process”, he said.

The Planning Scheme will provide the framework to deliver the long term social, economic, planning and environmental benefits for Poolbeg. Four separate planning zones have been identified for development. Overall the potential floor space will be in the region of 736,000 square metres equating to a potential 10,100 residents and a potential working population of 16,000 people. The proposed development will be medium rise with set building heights.

Given the unique natural setting of the Poolbeg Peninsula there is considerable emphasis on the creation of open space and the enhancement of the natural environment. The Planning Scheme aims to conserve and enhance the area’s ecology and biodiversity, complementing the existing nature conservations areas and creating new areas of ecological value and green spaces. New open spaces are planned including beach parks; nature routes and a linear ecological park.

The Docklands Authority recognises that transport improvements are an essential and integral part of the Planning Scheme, and heavy emphasis is placed on the provision of quality public transport in the form of a Docklands Rapid Transport System and the delivery of a Luas link or similar public transport in the latter stages of the development. Innovative measures such as a cycle share system, the use of car pooling, car clubs and water based transport are also encouraged.

The delivery of community facilities in parallel with commercial and residential developments will be achieved through a new type of phased community development scheme, whereby the developers will be required to deliver from an agreed prioritised list of Community Gain projects in the area. These will include a donation to the Docklands Community Trust Fund; Community Recreational Facilities; youth facilities; play facilities; a Community Arts & Cultural Centre and a Heritage and Biodiversity Centre.

The draft Poolbeg Planning Scheme will be available for inspection from Monday 2 February 2009 at a variety of locations in the Docklands area (see below for details). Once the 62 day consultation period has been completed, all submissions will be carefully considered and reviewed by the Dublin Docklands Development Authority. The draft Planning Scheme will be amended and modified to take account of the submissions received before a final draft is submitted to the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government for consideration.

The Poolbeg Planning Scheme and the related Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) are available to view or download on www.dublindocklands.ie.