Significant New Community Gain Initiatives Included
After the publication of the draft Master Plan in June last year, over 120 submissions were received and each was carefully considered and incorporated where appropriate.
The amended draft Master Plan was then presented to the 26-member council of the Docklands Authority, which includes community representatives, local councillors and stakeholders, and adopted on 27 November, 2008.
The 2008 Master Plan lays the foundations for the next five to ten years of the Dublin Docklands project. Building on the success of both the 1997 and 2003 Master Plans, it will provide the reference point for the roll-out of projects, programmes and policies for the sustainable regeneration of the Docklands.
Paul Maloney, Chief Executive, Dublin Docklands Development Authority said “When this Master Plan can be delivered, it will bring enormous benefits to all stakeholders including the city of Dublin, the local community, and the new community, and will play an important part in delivering jobs and economic prosperity for our city. The current unfavourable economic climate will pose many challenges for all of us as we pursue our ambitions on behalf of Docklands. However, I am confident that Docklands will continue to be a vibrant and positive regeneration project for the city of Dublin.”
Community Facilities and Community Gain
The 2008 Master Plan commits to provide community gain and community facilities in tandem with physical development of the area. It is intended to secure this gain for the community through the introduction of a new type of community development scheme whereby developers will be required to deliver community gain projects.
In addition, the Docklands Authority will ensure the continued provision of 20% social and affordable housing within its Planning Scheme areas, a policy which was first introduced in 1997. The Master Plan further enhances housing delivery by including the concept of integrated housing management, which provides for the management of social, affordable and private housing in a more sustainable way.
Local Employment Charter
One of the major changes to the amended Master Plan is a policy to include certain requirements to comply with the Local Employment Charter in all new planning schemes. Through this initiative, the Docklands Authority plans to encourage and support training and employment projects so that more local people will benefit from opportunities on both building sites and businesses that will be located there subsequently.
Environmental Sustainability
A policy to encourage energy efficient, environmentally sustainable developments in Docklands Planning Schemes has been introduced. This policy provides for certification of developments which meet the best environmental standards and encourage the best international practices in urban living.
New Planning Schemes
The Master Plan 2008 recognises that communities gain most when Section 25 Planning Schemes are developed in their area. In particular, it encourages the development of the Poolbeg Planning Scheme and the Amendment of the existing North Lotts Planning Scheme. In the context of North Lotts, the scheme will consider creative and innovative development proposals for the campshire and River Liffey, provided they are consistent with the amenity and conservation of the area, and enhance the use of these amenities by members of the public.
Land Ownership
Historically, in all of the Planning Scheme areas within Docklands, the Docklands Authority has owned land and awarded itself Section 25 planning approval. This has enabled greater control over the successful development of the land to deliver on community development, education, employment, civic infrastructure, social and affordable housing and architectural legacy to ensure that the long-term sustainability of Docklands is secured.
Transport
As part of the continuing ambition to provide a world-class transport system for Docklands, a Docklands Rapid Transit (DRT) system is proposed.
The Dublin Docklands Master Plan 2008 will be available for download free of charge on www.dublindocklands.ie from Wednesday 21 January 2009, and from February for inspection at the Authority’s offices at 52-55 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Docklands, Dublin 2. It will also be available for purchase for €40.