Proposed Draft Variation (No. 40)
of the
Dublin City Development Plan
2005-2011
The Statutory Display of this proposed Draft Variation (No. 40)
to the Dublin City Development Plan 2005-2011
will be on view to the public from
th
7 August 2009 to 11th September 2009 inclusive
Monday to Friday
between the hours of 9.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. at the
Dublin City Council
Civic Offices,
Ground Floor, Block 4,
Wood Quay,
Dublin 8.
________________________________________
PROPOSED DRAFT VARIATION (NO 40) OF THE DUBLIN CITY DEVELOPMENT
PLAN 2005 – 2011
RE:
Proposed Variation of Dublin City Development Plan 2005-2011.
Ratoath Road Realignment and Overbridge
Proposal:
It is proposed to make a draft variation to the Dublin City Development Plan 20052011 to include the provision of an overbridge to the east of the existing Reilly’s
Bridge on the Ratoath Road and the realignment of the Ratoath Road, north and
south of the Royal Canal, as a specific objective of the Plan. A new text entry is
proposed in Chapter 7 of the Plan as follows:
7.8.0 Provision of Additional Road Capacity
Bridges
Ratoath Road Realignment and Overbridge east of Reilly’s Bridge
The location of the bridge is defined on the attached map.
Introduction
At the meeting of the Central Area Committee dated 8th July 2008, the Roads and
Traffic Department presented a report on the proposal and the committee agreed to
the initiation of the statutory variation procedure.
At the meeting of the Central Area Committee on the 10th March 2009, the following
was agreed at the meeting that ‘Further biodiversity survey work must be carried out
during the summer months to find out what impact the proposal would have on
wildlife. This survey work would supplement the Environmental Report prepared in
January 2009. Agreed that it would be premature to put the proposed variation to the
Development Plan on public display pending the results of the survey.’ (Order 4095)
The final Environmental Report, received 7th July, details that the biodiversity survey
work on protected and rare plant species was undertaken in April and June 2009 and
specialist consultants undertook daytime, evening and dawn surveys in May and
June to detect the presence of bats and bat roosts. The findings in the report are that
no protected and rare plant species were recorded in the follow on surveys and the
bat survey identified two species of bats in the general area, as the canal and railway
line are foraging areas.
Location and Description:
The overbridge will be located on the Ratoath Road to the east of Reilly’s Bridge and
will consist of the re-alignment of the Ratoath Road north and south of the level
crossing, including a new two-span overbridge between 75-80 metres in length
across the railway and canal to the east of the existing Reilly’s Bridge and a new
junction with Ballyboggan Road/Pelletstown development to the north. The bridge will
incorporate separate footpaths and on-road cycle lanes as part of the road design.
Background and Planning Context:
Dublin City Council has determined that there is a need for the proposed overbridge
and road realignment on Ratoath Road to increase traffic safety and reduce traffic
congestion. The proposal will also enable improved accessibility and linkages at peak
and off peak times for work, shopping and leisure purposes, in accordance with the
objectives off the Development Plan 2005-2011 and in conjunction with the Transport
21 Investment Programme.
Both Section 7.4.0 of the Development Plan and Policy T4 state that Dublin City
Council will support and co-operate operate with Iarnrod Eireann, the Rail
Procurement Agency and other relevant transportation agencies, in order to increase
passenger capacity and increase rail efficiency.
Environmental Report:
As outlined above, the final Environmental Report, received 7th July, details that the
biodiversity survey work on protected and rare plant species was undertaken in April
and June 2009 and specialist consultants undertook daytime, evening and dawn
surveys in May and June to detect the presence of bats and bat roosts. The
consultant’s bat survey identified two species of bats in the general area, as the
canal and railway line are foraging areas. The consultants conclude that given that
the proposed lighting will be sensitively designed and light spill to the Royal Canal
will be minimal, there will be no significant impact on the canal as bat foraging and
community habitat. Furthermore, the only identified bat roost in the area is to the
north west of Reilly Bridge and, therefore, there will not be any direct impact on any
bat roost from the proposed scheme.
The Environmental Report also sets out details of the mitigation measures that would
be taken to safeguard the residential and ecological amenities of the area, relating to:
 Noise and Vibration
 Light Overspill and Overshadowing
 Biodiversity
Noise and Vibration:
By using a low-noise surface along the section of the road to the south of the railway
overpass, increases in noise levels will be minimal. It was found that noise barriers
would not be suitable for this location and having regard to the residential nature of
the area, a low noise surface worked best.
Light Spill and Overshadowing:
The environmental report outlines the effects of the proposed development on
1. Daylight
2. Sunlight/Overshadowing
3. Artificial Lighting
It was found that the obstruction to daylight from the proposed development would be
minimal. It was found that in only one instance a property would experience less than
the recommended 1,000 hours of sunlight per year. However, this was mainly due to
the northwest facing nature of the property, which currently experiences less than
average hours of sunlight. There will be no material loss of amenity to the residential
properties and no impact on the railway line due to artificial lighting if the lights are at
kerb line with a 10 degree inclined luminaries and the recommended 150-watt
luminaries are used.
Biodiversity:
The ecological assessment, including survey work, examined the potential impact on
the habitats and species present. The site was found to have limited nature
conservation value and the critical issue highlighted was the need to maintain the
existing ‘wildlife corridor’. It was determined that, with appropriate mitigation
measures, the construction and operation of the scheme will not impact the
functioning of this corridor.
The ecological mitigation measures include:
 The disturbed ground within the area of the central pier will be allowed to
recolonise naturally. This will ensure a continuation of the existing grassy
embankment.
 Should re-lining, and thus de-watering, of the canal be necessary, then the
existing narrow strip of emergent vegetation shall be removed and stored in a
nearby section of the canal. It shall then be re-planted when works are
completed to facilitate rapid re-colonisation of this stretch of canal.
 Detailed proposals for hedgerow creation subsequent to the works to
enhance the existing wildlife corridor.
 Engage a qualified licensed bat worker to monitor all site works
 To design lighting levels and lighting plan, in accordance with the joint
‘Guidelines on Bats and Lighting’ issued by the UK Bat Conservation Trust
and the Institute of Lighting Engineers, which will take account of the bats in
the area.
Strategic Environmental Appraisal
The Planning Authority determined, using the criteria set out in Schedule 2A Planning
and Development Regulations 2001- 2004, the DoEHLG SEA Guidelines and Annex
2 of Directive 2001/42/EC, that a Strategic Environmental Assessment is not required
for the proposed Draft Variation to the Dublin City Development Plan 2005-2011; this
was notified to the prescribed bodies who did not object to this determination within
the appropriate period.
Appropriate Assessment Screening
An Appropriate Assessment Screening was undertaken of the proposed variation of
the Dublin City Development Plan in relation to the proposed Ratoath Road
realignment and overbridge east of Reilly’s Bridge, in accordance with the
requirements of Article 6(3) of the EU Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC). The nearest
Natura 2000 site is in the order of 2.5km distant from the proposed variation area
within Dublin Bay. The proposed variation is not predicted to have any likely impact
on the key features or the conservation function of any Natura 2000 sites. This was
notified to the prescribed bodies who did not object to this determination within the
appropriate period.
Purpose of the Proposed Variation:
The purpose of this variation is to allow the construction of a grade-separated
crossing, involving the construction of an overbridge adjacent to Reilly’s Bridge on
the Ratoath Road to replace the existing manually operated level crossing.
The future bridge forms an essential element in facilitating increased capacity on the
existing rail line, for both intercity and commuter rail services and is pivotal to the
successful operation of the Navan-Dunboyne-Clonsilla railway line.
The proposal will also enable improved accessibility and linkages at peak and off
peak times for work, shopping and leisure purposes.
It should be noted that the road and bridge improvement schemes outlined under
Section 7.8.0 of the Plan, will subject to availability of funding, be initiated and/or
implemented within the six year period of the Plan.
Written Submission or Observation
Written submissions or observations in relation to the proposed Draft Variation made
to the Planning Authority within the above said period will be taken into consideration
before the making of a decision on the Draft variation. Such submissions or
observation should be addressed to:
Tom Vaughan
Dublin City Council
Planning Department
Block 4, Floor 3,
Civic Offices
Wood Quay
Dublin 8
Or can be emailed to:
planning@dublincity.ie
BEFORE 4.30p.m. on Thursday 11th Sepetember 2009
Objections/representations can also be posted in the box provided
immediately next to the public display.