Green Party Submission to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council on the Blackrock Park Masterplan

Mr. Leslie Moore,
Senior Parks Superintendent,
Parks & Landscape Services,
Culture, Community Development & Amenities Department,
Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council,
County Hall,
Dún Laoghaire.

BLACKROCK PARK MASTERPLAN

Green Party comments and observations in relation to the proposed Concept Master plan

The publication of conceptual and preliminary proposals outlined in the Plan are generally welcomed.

1. The plan should be subject to some form of Strategic Environmental Assessment prior to the proposed enactment of parts of the Plan. It is a cause for concern that the Council is proposing a Proposed Temporary Ice Rink, eight market stalls and two fair ground attractions, and parking for 150 cars beside Booterstown DART Station under Part 8, Article 81 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 prior to considering any strategic assessment of the entire Blackrock Park Master plan. It is incorrect to place the cart before the horse.

2. The proposal for a Tea Rooms in the Park is welcomed. There may be a case for placing a civic building such as Blackrock Library in the park in the future, although such a proposal would have to carefully respect and compliment the Parka and nearby Protected Structures.

3. The proposal for improving the pedestrian connection with Blackrock through acquiring part of the grounds at Deepwell and placing a bridge across the stream at the Rock Hill entrance is welcomed.

4. The amount of car parking proposed is excessive and would detract significantly from the amenity value of the Park. The new car park at Phoenix Terrace might have been placed in a less prominent position. It appears that proposals for additional car parking spaces may further block the view across the Park and Bay from the Rock Road. Such proposals should be reconsidered. It may be possible to provide limited additional car parking in a less prominent location, but such proposals should be agreed with local residents.

5. The car dealership is a massive eyesore. The Council should consider a land-swop to relocate this business to a location that does not dramatically detract from coastal amenities.

6. The Council should consider placing allotments in the Park. There is growing demand for such facilities, and this could add significantly to the amenity value of the park.

7. The proposal to place a recycling centre in the Park is welcome. It may be more advisable to place it adjacent to the Booterstown DART Station, and to have greater architectural input into the design than was apparent with the similar facility at Sandycove /Glasthule DART Station. Perhaps the (youth) café could be incorporated into the facility. If the skateboard facility and playground were also nearby parents could combine a visit with their children to all the facilities.

8. The proposed improvements to the stream and lake are welcome, however some form of hydrological and ecological assessment is required as residents have concerns regarding flooding.

9. The Circus field could be used to host temporary events in the Park such as an ice-rink but it seems incorrect to propose such uses on green space such as Williamstown Park. Although circuses should be welcomed, restrictions should be placed on the use of large wild animals in such events.

10. An emphasis should be placed on coastal zone management within the plan. Notwithstanding this, there may be scope to improved direct access to the seafront for bathers and others.

11. The plan should provide for improved access across the Rock Road for pedestrians. To this end the shabby underpasses at the bottom of Mount Merrion Avenue should be removed, and improved at-grade pedestrian signals should be provided.


Sincerely


Ciarán Cuffe TD