Planning Observation

To Dundalk Town Council

Deadline for submission: 4 pm on the 22 October 2008

Regarding:

The planning application for

A new Flume and Slide Tube

At the Swimming Pool in Dundalk

Dear Planner,

            I would like to make a planning observation with regard to the above project.

            The planning notice for the above project states that it will be “in accordance with the sustainable development of the area”

            This proposal for a flume and slide tube claims to be in accordance with the “Sustainable Development of the Area” In what way will it be sustainable?

            In the circumstances of rising petrol costs, rising gas heating costs, the possible flooding threat to Dundalk as a result of sea level rises from climate change and the Government’s policy to reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions; I am very surprised that the Town Council has given no consideration to the further development and improvement of a safe cycle way to the swimming pool or a means to seek alternative, more environmentally friendly and lower cost ways to heat the swimming pool?

            It is not financially “sustainable” in a climate of national cutbacks to continue to be so dependant on an increasingly expensive and potentially volatile fossil fuel energy source for heating the pool. Gas energy for example continues to become more and more expensive.

It is not “sustainable” to remain as dependable as we are in Ireland on a gas supply that, unlike oil, has no storage facilities and where the country is at the end of a very long gas pipe run that stretches from Russia. There is concern that in a political crisis that any country along this route might cut off the gas going onwards to Ireland.

It is short sighted and irresponsible to “continue” to be so reliant on using an increasingly expensive fossil fuel when there are more reliable “greenhouse gas free” energy sources that could be used instead and that are certainly cheaper in the medium to long term.

            It is not “sustainable” to for most families to remain so predominantly dependent on the motor car to access urban destinations such as the swimming pool. We need to encourage a culture where family groups will more often use the bicycles rather than the car to travel to the swimming pool.

This swimming pool development proposal fails to show how alternative transport modes such as an “integrated cycle way network” as required under IN23 will be developed. Where is the evidence of the policy to cooperate with other agencies such as Louth County Hall or the civil service in developing this “integrated cycle way network”? The “off road cycle path” should be further extended throughout the site and around the Swimming Pool, County Hall and the civil service offices boundary so that cyclists can access “more directly” the various buildings from the inner relief road and from an Bóthair Iarainn.

            In order to achieve sustainability - I ask that the Council calls for proposals that will substantially remove the present total dependency of fossil fuels for heating the pool. Technologies such as anaerobic digestion of kitchen and garden waste, solar panels or wind power should be considered.   

I also ask that the Town Council develops a “completed” traffic free cycle way network in accordance with IN23 to connect the swimming pool and other local and central government buildings “more directly” to the inner relief road, to an bóthair Iarainn and to the small lane along the ramparts at the edge of the Catholic Church. The Council should be seen to be putting its own house in order in this regard before encouraging cooperation from developers to provide joined up and integrated traffic free cycle ways also.  

Ollan Herr

DUNDALK TOWN COUNCIL

 AND

LOUTH COUNTY COUNCIL

VARIATION OF THE DUNDALK AND ENVIRONS DEVELOPMENT PLAN

2003-2009

NEW POLICY IN23 ‘CYCLE PATH AND FOOTPATH NETWORK’

ADOPTED SEPTEMBER 2007

VARIATION OF THE DUNDALK AND ENVIRONS DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2003-2009

Introduction of New Policy IN23 – ‘Cyclepath & Footpath Network’.

Chapter 8 of the Development Plan outlines the Council’s objective to provide pedestrian and cycling facilities as means of promoting sports and recreation.  Chapter 9 of the Plan outlines a commitment to promote the re-generation of the Castletown River as an amenity feature.  Chapter 10 outlines the Council’s transportation policies and objectives.  The Council is committed to providing sustainable alternative transportation modes through cycle path and footpath provision.

The Plan aims to encourage the provision of a network of footpaths and cycle paths throughout the plan area which will consist of desirable pedestrian/cycle routes along existing road networks and of dedicated footpath and cycle path provision where appropriate and practical.  It is envisaged that the network will integrate with the existing road network, footpaths and cycle paths and those proposed as part of the Dundalk Town Centre Transportation Study.  Particular emphasis will be placed on the footpaths and cycle paths becoming a basic element of the continued and future development of the Castletown River/Dundalk Bay’s natural environment as an important waterfront attraction and recreational facility for the town.

It is the policy of the Council, in co-operation with other agencies, bodies and developers, to implement an integrated pedestrian footpath and cycle path network to include;

a)     An integrated cycle path and walkway along the northern and southern embankments of the Castletown River from the Tain Bridge to the motorway and along the southern embankment of the Castletown River from the Tain Bridge via the Port Harbour, Navy Bank footpath, Soldiers Point and along the eastern coastal walkway to Blackrock.

b)    A cycle and pedestrian link from the Castletown River along the Tateetra Road  and  the Castleblayney Road to the De La Salle and Dun Lughaidh Secondary Schools.

c)     Cycle and pedestrian paths along and radiating off the Inner Relief Road and from the Ballymascanlon roundabout to the motorway interchange with the southern link road.

d)     Cycle and pedestrian paths along the Western Inner Relief Road from the Dublin Road to the Newry Road & from the Southern Link Road to Hill Street.

e)     Cycle and foot path provision throughout Dundalk town centre and Blackrock village centre as may be appropriate and practical as delineated on Map 10.

f)       Works undertaken shall be in accordance with best practice and the best possible available national guidance.

It should be noted that the above proposals are not exhaustive or exclusive. The Town Council will seek out all opportunities to provide additional integrated cycle path, footpath provision throughout the entire plan area.