Dundrum Park Plan Gathers Momentum

Thursday January 15, 2009 18:21

by Brian Guckian

Public Workshop on Proposal set for January 27th

A RADICAL, alternative development plan for the Old Dundrum Shopping Centre that would provide Dundrum with a much-needed new amenity and "green lung" is to move forward with a Public Workshop on the proposal to be held at Taney Parish Centre (Minor Hall), Dundrum, on Tuesday, January 27th at 8pm.

PRESS RELEASE

For Release 15/1/2009

The proposal, initiated late last year, is for a new Community Park and Gardens on the site of the Old Dundrum Shopping Centre, which would include small-scale retail units selling local produce and crafts, as well as acting as a showcase for renewable energy products. It would provide a strong counterpoint to the existing Dundrum Town Centre, benefitting its customers who could visit the new park and gardens, and also providing a different kind of small-scale retail experience. The increasing popularity of farmers' markets and interest in organic foods and crafts showed there were considerable market opportunities for this type of retail activity in the current climate.

The concept has been drawn up by Brian Guckian, a campaigner on national transport issues who has previously been involved with sustainable planning and development issues in the Sandyford and Stillorgan areas.

He said it was a response to the general feeling that Dundrum had had a sufficient amount of construction in the last number of years and that it was now time to develop essential amenities in the area. It was a win-win for both the current developer of the site - who had admitted their plans were no longer viable - and the community as it would provide a long-term, stable, commercial revenue stream, would facilitate sustainable job creation and would provide an essential "green lung" for an area that was in danger of becoming overwhelmed by new construction.

"Development" did not have to mean solely the construction of new buildings but could also entail the creation of community amenities and facilities. The proposal would do much to remedy the damage that had been done to the urban fabric of Dundrum in recent years through inappropriate planning decisions that had led to over-construction of new roads and buildings in the area.

The Workshop format was a way for local people to be genuinely involved in developing the proposal, the broad outline of which had been publicised last November. At the event on January 27th participants will be given maps of the site and will be invited to visualise and create what they would want the Community Park to look like.

Mr. Guckian said he had invited representatives from Lenridge Properties Ltd., the current owners of the Old Dundrum Shopping Centre, and the Parks Department of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Co. Council, as well as public representatives and speakers experienced in the development of public amenities.

The Workshop is open to all and refreshments will be provided.

Further information is available from railprojects(at)eircom.net.

ENDS

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Dundrum Park Plan Gathers Momentum