environmental appraisal of the ballymun masterplan

108 Pages·1999·3 MB·English

ENVIRONMENTAL APPRAISAL
OF THE BALLYMUN MASTERPLAN
In the Dublin Corporation Area
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Environmental Appraisal was prepared by Ballymun Regeneration Limited.
Information was based on the Masterplan and Integrated Area Plan prepared by:-
¤ MacCormac Jamieson Prichard – Design Team Leaders
¤ O’Mahony Pike – Team Managers/Co-Ordinators
¤ DH Regeneration – Community Development & Consultation and Cost
Planning/Programming
¤ Muir Associates - Infrastructure
¤ Brady Shipman Martin – Landscape Design
¤ Halcrow Fox – Urban Economics
¤ McHugh Consultants – Town Planning
¤ CODEMA and ECD Energy and Environment – Energy Consultants
¤ Ballymun Regeneration Limited
Furthermore, the contribution of the Ballymun community, including the Ballymun Housing
Task Force, the Area Forums and W.I.L.D., (Women in Local Development), in informing the
development of the Masterplan proposals is acknowledged. Their involvement has been a
crucial element in bringing the project to this stage and will be vital in ongoing implementation.
Additional supplementary reports were prepared for inclusion in the Environmental Appraisal
by:
Natural Environment Consultants Limited – Flora & Fauna
CODEMA - Air Quality, Climate and Energy Use, Noise & Vibration
Muir Associates - Traffic & Transportation, Services/Utilities, Soils & Geology
Daire O’Rourke, City Archaeologist, prepared a report on Archaeology for the Masterplan and
the Environmental Appraisal.
The references at the end of the Environmental Appraisal indicate other sources of
information which were used in the development of the Masterplan and Integrated Area Plan.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE NO
LIST OF FIGURES
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL AUDIT........ 1
1.0. INTRODUCTION............................................................................ 1
1.1. BOUNDARIES OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL AUDIT........................ 1
1.2. SCOPE OF THE AUDIT.................................................................. 1
1.3. STRUCTURE OF THE AUDIT......................................................... 1
1.3.1. Introduction...................................................................... 1
1.3.2. Description of Development.............................................. 1
1.3.3. Construction, Demolition and Phasing.............................. 2
1.3.4. Alternatives...................................................................... 2
1.3.5. Planning and Development Context.................................. 2
1.3.6. Non-Technical Summary.................................................. 2
1.3.7. Specific Environmental Impacts........................................ 2
1.4. MAJOR IMPACTS IDENTIFIED...................................................... 3
1.5. PUBLIC CONSULTATION.............................................................. 4
CHAPTER TWO: DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT..... 6
2.0. INTRODUCTION............................................................................ 6
2.1. DESCRIPTION OF THE WORKS AND USES PROPOSED............ 6
2.1.1. General Description......................................................... 6
2.1.2. Site Location and Context................................................ 6
2.1.3. Aims of Proposed Development....................................... 7
2.1.4. Ownership of Land........................................................... 8
2.1.5. Land Uses and Extent...................................................... 8
2.1.6. Urban Design Strategy..................................................... 9
2.1.7. Neighbourhoods............................................................... 10
2.1.8. Housing............................................................................ 10
2.1.9. Town Centre.................................................................... 12
2.1.10. Open Space/Landscape Strategy..................................... 13
2.1.11. Amenity............................................................................ 13
2.1.12. Transport......................................................................... 14
2.1.13. Economic Development and Employment......................... 15
2.1.14. Education and Training..................................................... 16
2.1.15. Community Development................................................. 17
2.2. CONSTRUCTION, DEMOLITION AND PHASING........................... 17
2.2.1. Construction..................................................................... 17
2.2.2. Demolition........................................................................ 18
2.2.3. Phasing............................................................................ 18
2.3. ALTERNATIVES............................................................................. 20
2.3.1. Introduction...................................................................... 20
2.3.2. Do-Nothing, Refurbishment Or Demolition And Rebuild.... 21
2.3.3. Ballymun Road................................................................. 22
2.3.4. Town Centre – Mix and Scale of Uses.............................. 23
CHAPTER THREE: PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT CONTEXT........ 25
3.0. INTRODUCTION............................................................................ 25
3.1. THE STRATEGIC CONTEXT.......................................................... 25
3.1.1. Site Location and Context................................................ 25
3.1.2. Dublin Transportation Initiative......................................... 25
3.1.3. Sustainable Development: A Strategy For Ireland............. 26
3.1.4. Circular Letter On Residential Density (4/98).................... 26
3.1.5. Dublin Waste Management Plan 1998 ............................ 25
3.1.6. North Dublin Action Plan.................................................. 26
3.2. STATUTORY PLANNING CONTEXT.............................................. 28
3.2.1. 1991 Dublin City Development Plan................................. 28
3.2.2. Draft Dublin City Development Plan 1998......................... 28
3.3. RECENT DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS....................................... 29
CHAPTER FOUR: NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY.................................... 30
4.0. INTRODUCTION............................................................................ 30
4.1. SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS....................................................... 30
4.1.1. Demographic Structure and Housing................................ 30
4.1.2. Socio-Economic Profile, Employment and
Economic Development.................................................... 30
4.2. COMMUNITY AND AMENITY IMPACTS......................................... 31
4.2.1. Community and Retail Facilities....................................... 32
4.2.2. Recreational and Amenity Facilities.................................. 32
4.2.3. Pedestrian Routes and Severence................................... 32
4.3. CULTURAL HERITAGE.................................................................. 32
4.4. LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL APPRAISAL........................................ 33
4.5. FLORA AND FAUNA...................................................................... 33
4.6. SERVICES AND UTILITIES............................................................ 33
4.7. TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION............................................... 33
4.7.1. Roads and Car Parking.................................................... 34
4.7.2. Public Transport............................................................... 34
4.7.3. Pedestrian and Cycle Routes........................................... 34
4.8. AIR QUALITY, CLIMATE AND ENERGY USE................................ 34
4.9. NOISE AND VIBRATION................................................................ 35
4.10. SOILS AND GEOLOGY.................................................................. 35
CHAPTER FIVE: SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS...................................... 36
5.0. INTRODUCTION............................................................................ 36
5.1. DEMOGRAPHIC STRUCTURE AND HOUSING............................. 36
5.1.1. Introduction...................................................................... 36
5.1.2. Receiving Environment.................................................... 36
5.1.3. Characteristics of the Proposal......................................... 39
5.1.4. Impacts on Population...................................................... 40
5.1.5. Mitigating Measures......................................................... 41
5.2. SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE, EMPLOYMENT AND
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT......................................................... 41
5.2.1. Introduction...................................................................... 41
5.2.2. Receiving Environment.................................................... 41
5.2.3. Characteristics of the Proposal......................................... 44
5.2.4. Predicted Impact.............................................................. 45
5.2.5. Mitigation Measures......................................................... 46
CHAPTER SIX: COMMUNITY AND AMENITY IMPACTS........................ 47
6.0. INTRODUCTION............................................................................ 47
6.1. COMMUNITY AND RETAIL FACILITIES......................................... 47
6.1.1. Introduction...................................................................... 47
6.1.2. Receiving Environment.................................................... 47
6.1.3. Characteristics of the Proposal......................................... 49
6.1.4. Predicted Impacts............................................................ 51
6.1.5. Mitigating Measures......................................................... 51
6.2. RECREATIONAL AND AMENITY FACILITIES................................ 51
6.2.1. Introduction...................................................................... 51
6.2.2. Receiving Environment.................................................... 52
6.2.3. Characteristics of the Proposal......................................... 53
6.2.4. Predicted Impacts............................................................ 55
6.2.5. Mitigating Measures......................................................... 55
6.3. PEDESTRIAN ROUTES AND SEVERENCE................................... 55
6.3.1. Existing Environment........................................................ 55
6.3.2. Characteristics of Proposal............................................... 56
6.3.3. Predicted Impacts............................................................ 56
6.3.4. Mitigation Measures......................................................... 56
CHAPTER SEVEN: CULTURAL HERITAGE............................................. 57
7.0. INTRODUCTION............................................................................ 57
7.1. RECEIVING ENVIRONMENT......................................................... 57
7.1.1. Archaeology..................................................................... 57
7.1.2. Historical Buildings in Ballymun ....................................... 58
7.2. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PROPOSAL.................................... 59
7.3. PREDICTED IMPACTS................................................................... 60
7.4. MITIGATING MEASURES.............................................................. 60
CHAPTER EIGHT: LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL APPRAISAL................. 61
8.0. INTRODUCTION............................................................................ 61
8.1. RECEIVING ENVIRONMENT......................................................... 61
8.1.1. Form of Existing Development.......................................... 61
8.1.2. Topography...................................................................... 61
8.1.3. First Impressions – Approaching Ballymun from
Main Roads..................................................................... 62
8.1.4. Site Boundaries/Areas on the Fringes of Ballymun .......... 63
8.1.5. Open Spaces................................................................... 65
8.1.6. Landscape....................................................................... 66
8.1.7. Points of Focus................................................................ 66
8.1.8. Significant Views.............................................................. 69
8.2. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PROPOSAL.................................... 70
8.2.1. Open Space Strategy....................................................... 70
8.2.2. Landscaping.................................................................... 70
8.2.3. Roads.............................................................................. 71
8.2.4. Points of Focus................................................................ 71
8.2.5. Views............................................................................... 71
8.3. PREDICTED IMPACTS................................................................... 79
8.4. MITIGATING MEASURES.............................................................. 80
CHAPTER NINE: FLORA AND FAUNA..................................................... 81
9.0. INTRODUCTION AND METHODOLOGY........................................ 81
9.1. RECEIVING ENVIRONMENT......................................................... 81
9.2. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PROPPOSAL.................................. 83
9.3. PREDICTED IMPACTS................................................................... 83
9.4. MITIGATING MEASURES.............................................................. 83
CHAPTER TEN: SERVICES AND UTILITIES............................................ 84
10.0. INTRODUCTION............................................................................ 84
10.1. WATER SUPPLY............................................................................ 84
10.1.1. Receiving Environment.................................................... 84
10.1.2. Characteristics of the Proposal, Predicted Impacts and
Mitigating Measures......................................................... 84
10.2. SURFACE WATER......................................................................... 85
10.2.1. Receiving Environment.................................................... 85
10.2.2. Characteristics of the Development, Predicted Impacts and
Mitigating Measures......................................................... 85
10.3. FOUL DRAINAGE........................................................................... 86
10.3.1. Receiving Environment.................................................... 86
10.3.2. Characteristics of the Proposal, Predicted Impacts and
Mitigating Measures......................................................... 86
10.4. POWER SUPPLY........................................................................... 86
10.4.1. Receiving Environment.................................................... 86
10.4.2. Characteristics of the Proposal, Predicted Impacts and
Mitigating Measures......................................................... 86
10.5. GAS SUPPLY................................................................................. 87
10.5.1. Receiving Environment.................................................... 87
10.5.2. Characteristics of the Proposal, Predicted Impacts and
Mitigating Measures......................................................... 87
10.6. TELECOMMUNICATIONS.............................................................. 87
10.6.1. Receiving Environment.................................................... 87
10.6.2. Characteristics of the Proposal, Predicted Impacts and
Mitigating Measures......................................................... 87
CHAPTER ELEVEN: TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION...................... 89
11.0. INTRODUCTION............................................................................ 89
11.1. ROADS AND CAR PARKING.......................................................... 89
11.1.1. Receiving Environment.................................................... 89
11.1.2. Characteristics of the Proposal, Predicted Impacts and
Mitigating Measures......................................................... 89
11.2. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.......................................................... 90
11.2..1. Receiving Environment.................................................... 90
11.2.2. Characteristics of the Proposal, Predicted Impacts and
Mitigating Measures......................................................... 91
11.3. PEDESTRIAN AND CYCLE ROUTES............................................. 91
11.3.1. Receiving Environment.................................................... 91
11.3.2. Characteristics of the Proposal, Predicted Impacts and
Mitigating Measures......................................................... 91
CHAPTER TWELVE: AIR QUALITY, CLIMATE AND ENERGY USE..... 92
12.0. INTRODUCTION............................................................................ 92
12.1. RECEIVING ENVIRONMENT......................................................... 92
12.2. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT......... 93
12.3. PREDICTED IMPACT OF THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT....... 94
12.4. MITIGATING MEASURES.............................................................. 94
CHAPTER THIRTEEN: NOISE AND VIBRATION..................................... 96
13.0. INTRODUCTION............................................................................ 96
13.1. RECEIVING ENVIRONMENT......................................................... 96
13.2. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PROPOSAL.................................... 96
13.3. PREDICTED IMPACTS................................................................... 96
13.4. MITIGATING MEASURES.............................................................. 96
CHAPTER FOURTEEN: SOILS AND GEOLOGY..................................... 98
14.0. RECEIVING ENVIRONMENT......................................................... 98
14.1. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PROPOSAL, PREDICTED IMPACTS
AND MITIGATING MEASURES...................................................... 98
REFERENCES ........................................................................................ 99
LIST OF FIGURES
NO. TITLE SECTION
1 Boundary of Environmental Appraisal 1.1.
2 Existing Development Pattern 2.1.5.
3 Masterplan Development 2.1.5.
4 Proposed Land Uses 2.1.5.
5 Neighbourhoods & Proposed Neighbourhood Centres 2.1.7.
6 Landscape Strategy 2.1.10.
7 Location of Proposed Playgrounds 2.1.11.
8 Transport Strategy 2.1.12.
9 Masterplan Phasing 2.2.3.
10 Phase 1 Housing and Demolitions 2.2.3.
11 Indicative Programme for Construction 2.2.3.
12 Town Centre Options 2.3.4.
13 Variation to 1991 Dublin City Development Plan 3.2.1.
14 Ballymun District Electoral Divisions 5.1.2.
15 Ballymun Network Agency Map 6.1.2.
16 Archaeological Sites and Historical Buildings 7.1.1./7.1.2.
INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL APPRAISAL
1.0. INTRODUCTION
There is no statutory obligation to produce an Environmental Impact Statement for
the Ballymun Masterplan since the E.I.A. Regulations relate to development projects
rather than plans. It was decided to undertake an Environmental Appraisal on the
Masterplan proposals within the Dublin Corporation area as part of an ongoing
commitment to sustainable development in environmental and other terms. This
Environmental Appraisal will enable the major impacts of the Masterplan proposals to
be identified and will provide an environmental context for all the proposed individual
developments.
1.1. BOUNDARIES OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL APPRAISAL
The boundaries of the Environmental Appraisal as shown in Figure 1, correspond to
the area administered by Dublin Corporation and, while it does not include all the area
included in the Masterplan and Integrated Area Plan study area, it does, however,
include all the land which is to be developed for housing by Ballymun Regeneration
Limited. The lands to the north, which are outside the boundary of the Environmental
Appraisal, are administered by Fingal County Council and are shown in the
Masterplan and Integrated Area Plan as being primarily private sector developments.
For these reasons the Environmental Appraisal boundary is considered appropriate.
1.2. SCOPE OF THE APPRAISAL
The Masterplan presents a flexible framework for development proposals rather than
being a blueprint. It contains the necessary flexibility to provide for changing
circumstances and it will be carried out on a phased basis over 8 years. Clearly,
therefore, detailed designs and solutions are not available for all future developments
at this stage. However, the major impacts have been identified and this information
will be supplemented in future planning applications.
1.3. STRUCTURE OF ENVIRONMENTAL APPRAISAL
The structure of the Appraisal is set out below. It takes account of the E.I.A.
Regulations and covers the areas indicated as requiring assessment.
1.3.1. Introduction
- Boundaries
- Scope of the Appraisal
- Structure of the Appraisal
- Major Impacts Identified
- Public Consultation
1.3.2. Description Of Development
General Description
Site Location and Context
Aims of the Development
Land Ownership
Description of Proposed Development
- Land Uses
Urban Design
- Neighbourhoods
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- Housing
- Town Centre
- Landscape
- Amenity
- Transport
- Economic Development and Employment
- Education and Training
- Community Development
1.3.3. Construction, Demolition And Phasing
1.3.4. Alternatives
- ‘Do Nothing’, Demolition or Refurbishment of the Flat Blocks
- Ballymun Road/Main Street Options
- Town Centre – Scale and Mix of Uses
1.3.5. Planning And Development Context
1.3.6. Non-Technical Summary
1.3.7. Specific Environmental Impacts
Each Section to include consideration of:
Receiving Environment
Characteristics of proposal in relation to the specific aspect:
Predicted Impacts:
(a) Construction Phase;
(b) Operation Phase.
Mitigating measures and monitoring, if necessary
The interaction of the impacts is another aspect which requires consideration. In the
following structure the sections on Socio-Economic Impacts and Community and
Amenity Impacts are clearly those primarily concerned with human beings. However,
the impacts dealt with under Visual Appraisal and Landscape, Traffic and
Transportation, Air Quality and Climate and Noise and Vibration have a direct
relationship with Human Beings.
Additionally, there is interaction between Flora and Fauna and Landscape in that the
sterility of the existing ecology will be countered by increased planting in terms of
quantity and variety. Proposals in relation to Visual aspects and Landscaping and
Public Transportation will also have a positive effect on economic development and
the socio economic profile.
A) Socio Economic Impacts
Demographic Structure and Housing
Socio-Economic Profile, Employment and Economic Development
B) Community and Amenity Impacts
Community and Retail Facilities
Recreational and Amenity Facilities
Pedestrian Routes and Severence
C) Cultural Heritage
Archaeology and Historical Structures
D) Visual Appraisal and Landscape
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