Sillogue Area Plan - brl.ie Area Plan.pdf · 2.1 Planning Background to the ... to Clarence Perry in 1929 in his ... Sillogue/Sandyhill Action Area Plan for Neighbourhood and Community

Sillogue/Sandyhill Action Area Planfor Neighbourhood andCommunity Facilities

Ballymun Regeneration LtdNovember 2000

Sillogue/Sandyhill Action Area Plan for Neighbourhood and Community facilities___________________________________________________________________________________

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1.0 GENERAL

1.1 The purpose of this report is to address the key issues regarding the provisionof neighbourhood and community facilities in Sillogue/Sandyhill.

1.2 The document is intended as a discussion document, to allow input from thelocal community.

1.3 It is important to ensure that facilities are provided in conjunction with theimplementation of the housing programme.

1.4 As part of the regeneration of Ballymun, it is proposed to provideneighbourhood centres and community facilities in each of the fiveneighbourhoods in Ballymun. The provision of new facilities will vary betweenneighbourhoods in order to complement existing facilities in each area.

This report looks at the existing facilities in the Sillogue/Sandyhill area, theneeds of residents and local groups, and the future provision of services inthe area.

The need for neighbourhood facilities is evident in Ballymun, with the retailsector currently served by a network of 27 ‘van-shops’ and with roughly 100community groups currently operating out of flats, basements and lift-shafts.

It is envisaged that a range of facilities will be provided geared specificallytowards the local needs of the population. New shops, childcare and healthfacilities, in addition to community, social and sporting facilities will all beconsidered.

1.5 The urban setting and design context will ensure that each of theneighbourhood centres has a distinctive character, thus providing a focus forthe neighbourhood while reflecting and complementing the surroundingenvironment.

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2.0 PLANNING FOR NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRES

2.1 Planning Background to the Neighbourhood Centre

2.1.1 A neighbourhood unit is a relatively self-contained, small-scale residentialunit, from which larger urban areas and whole towns are built up in a cellularfashion. The logic of the neighbourhood is partly sociological and partlybased on the efficient provision of services. The relevant sociological belief isthe desirability of planning cities in accordance with the geographical scalesof space within which residents feel ‘at home’. A neighbourhood unit,therefore, should have community cohesion; with it, normal daily communityneeds are supplied, notably a primary school and other low-order central-place functions.

2.1.2 The first comprehensive enunciation of the neighbourhood unit can be tracedto Clarence Perry in 1929 in his ‘New York Regional Plan’. Crossing theAtlantic the neighbourhood concept was later enshrined in British Policythrough the Dudley Report of 1944, and was used extensively in the creationof ‘New Towns’. The Neighbourhood Unit, as applied in the UK, is essentiallya physically defined unit consisting of residential units of approx. 5,000population and a range of facilities and services appropriate to this level.

2.1.3 In the Irish context the use of the neighbourhood concept was manifested inthe development of Dublin’s Western New Towns, i.e. Blanchardstown,Lucan, Clondalkin and Tallaght. Here neighbourhoods were planned in strictaccordance with the neighbourhood concept: i.e. neighbourhoods of 1,250houses would each have a central facility containing a church, primary school,a row of 6-10 local shops, community and other facilities.

2.1.4 However such strict adherence to any concept can be dangerous in the bestof circumstances. The centres were not planned to adapt to the social andeconomic context of the area, and many were mono-functional in that theywere confined to retail uses only. Today the reality of the neighbourhoodconcept is harsh in some areas, with vacant-floor-space in the local authorityestates of Jobstown and Killarden accounting for 73% and 29% respectivelyin 1994.

2.1.5 Over the years changes in demographics, household formation, mobility,female participation in the labour force, etc. have redefined the role of theneighbourhood centre. Local supermarkets can no longer compete at theneighbourhood level. Instead people travel to larger district centres (e.g.Main Street) for their weekly shop, where leisure and entertainment facilitiesalso help to attract a greater catchment of people.

2.1.6 So what is the role of the neighbourhood centre in modern society? Themono-function provision of retail facilities of the old neighbourhood centre isno longer appropriate. While there is a recognised need to provide for acertain amount of local retail uses, neighbourhoods also need community andsporting uses as well as playgrounds and general ‘kick-about’ areas. Thelocation of these services may be spread throughout the neighbourhoodproviding a village like atmosphere.

2.1.7 In planning the Ballymun of the future we need to develop a newneighbourhood concept – a concept that is sustainable in the widest sense,encompassing both environmental benefit and social and economic


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sustainability. To do this we need to consider all aspects of a neighbourhood;existing facilities, requirements, community groups, residents and location.To do this effectively the local groups and people who have formed thebackbone of the Ballymun community for the past twenty, thirty years need tobe involved.

2.1.8 The local community will also be invited to take part in the development oflocal environmental plans, which will cover such areas as litter, wastemanagement and the improvement of the external environment includinglandscaping.

2.2 The Masterplan

2.2.1 The Ballymun Masterplan is the overall plan for the regeneration of theBallymun area. It identified sites for the location of neighbourhood centres ineach of the five neighbourhoods. The location of these centres was theoutcome of extensive consultation with local representatives at the Master-planning stage. The site identified for Sillogue/Sandyhill is in close proximityto the Holy Spirit National School and the Ballymun Day Nursery (Tir na nΌg).

2.2.2 The idea behind the neighbourhood centres is that everybody should bewithin 5-10 minutes walk of local convenience shops. Possible facilities werelisted as:

• Shops (newsagents, dry cleaning, video store, hairdresser, butcher etc.)• Community meeting rooms (community groups, adult education)• Local start-up business space, enterprise• Offices• Play and childcare facilities• Healthcare facilities• Pub

2.2.3 The Masterplan highlighted the importance of the development ofamenity/play space, and the development of community facilities. A new localgreen was proposed adjacent to Sillogue Gardens that would accommodateone of the playgrounds proposed for the area. The Masterplan alsorecognised the need for investment in sporting and community facilities, withattention focused on the Ballymun Recreation Centre (White Elephant) andproposals for a new Ballymun-wide sports centre.

2.2.4 The northern section of the competition site was identified for small enterpriseunits to aid start up businesses and provide local employment opportunities.


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2.3 The Integrated Area Plan (IAP)

2.3.1 The Integrated Area Plan for Ballymun sought tax incentives to help achievethe following objectives:

♦ To define further the five existing local neighbourhoods, enhancing theiridentity and providing open spaces, shops and community facilities.

♦ To make provision for enterprise units for start-up businesses and forretail and local services within the local communities.

♦ To promote and accommodate pre-school and childcare facilities.

2.3.2 Based on the Integrated Area Plan six different sites have been designatedfor neighbourhood centre facilities.Each of the six sites is designated for commercial uses (Ea) which allows foroffice, retail and other related uses.In addition two of the centres have adjacent lands designated for enterpriseand industry (Ca). These lands will help support individual entrepreneurs andlocal businesses.

2.3.3 The tax incentives available under the 1999 Urban Renewal Scheme for theneighbourhood centres are as follows:

Commercial/Industrial DevelopmentOwner-OccupierCapitalAllowances:

50% initial allowance in Year 1 and a 4% annualallowance up to a maximum of 100%or free depreciation up to 50% in Year 1 and a 4% annualallowance up to a maximum of 100%.

Investor/LessorCapitalAllowances:

50% initial allowance in Year 1 and a 4% annualallowance up to a maximum of 100%.

These tax incentives will be available up to 31/12/2002.

2.3.4 The Urban Renewal Scheme also granted residential owner-occupierincentives over the entire IAP area. These incentives are as follows:

Residential DevelopmentOwner-Occupier New Construction:

50% of eligible construction costs allowed at the rate of5% per annum over 10 years against total income.

Refurbishment:100% of eligible construction costs allowed at the rateof 10% per annum over 10 years against total income.

2.3.5 It is hoped that the availability of tax incentives for private sector investors willprovide a stream of income to help sustain the community facilities of theneighbourhood.


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2.4 Dublin City Development Plan 1999

Both the Masterplan and the Integrated Area Plan are in keeping with DublinCorporation Policy in its Dublin City Development Plan 1999:

♦ It is the policy of Dublin Corporation to encourage the location of smallbusiness in the city centre, district and neighbourhood centres, and inZones Z10 and Z13 which are rejuvenation and development areas of thecity, e.g. Ballymun and Ballyfermot. (Policy E7).

♦ It is the policy of Dublin Corporation to encourage the provision of localand/or corner shops in residential areas where there is an existingdeficiency of retail provision. (Policy S13).

♦ It is the policy of Dublin Corporation to emphasise and promote the role ofdistrict and neighbourhood centres as sustainable foci for residentialareas, through the promotion of higher residential densities and mixeduses, while protecting amenities. (Policy OC6).


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3.0 RETAIL

3.1 Existing ProvisionThe need for retail provision is evident in Ballymun, with neighbourhoodscurrently serviced by a network of 27 ‘shops’ and ‘take-aways’ set up in steelcontainers in car parks around the estates.Existing provision in Sillogue/Sandyhill includes five van shops and 2 vacantcontainers.

3.2 The proposals in the Masterplan and the Integrated Area Plan provide forretail facilities on the designated neighbourhood centre sites. TheSillogue/Sandyhill site is situated in front of the Sandyhill Gardens shelteredhousing, across the road from the new Ballymun Day Nursery.

Designated Neighbourhood Centre Site

3.3 Proposed retail provision in the new Neighbourhood Centres will be primarilyof a convenience nature serving the local population, and will not in any waycompete with the Main Street. The main body of retailing will continue to berepresented by the shopping centre and such additional retail outlets as maybe included in the developments along Main Street.It is envisaged that neighbourhood centres will provide services such asnewsagents, grocery stores, chip-shops, hairdressers and video stores.

3.4 Questionnaires were sent out to the 27 van-shop traders to establish whetheror not they are interested in moving into a retail unit in a new neighbourhoodcentre. This information has been taken on board in assessing futureprovision.

3.5 Lisney Property consultants were engaged by BRL to ascertain the retailrequirement in each neighbourhood.

The recommendations for Sillogue/Sandyhill included:

� Retail area: 400 sq.m.� Residential area: high density


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The retail element may include the following components:

Small convenience store/ newsagent 200 sq.m

Take-away restaurant, pharmacy, hairdresser, video, drycleaners/laundry, betting shop, coffee/bakery/delicatessen shop, hardware, butcher, greengrocer.

100 sq.m.per unit


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4.0 St. Pancras Senior Citizen’s Centre and the N eighbourhood Centre

4.1 A major gap in service provision in Ballymun lies in the provision of servicesfor the elderly.

4.2 Proposals were put forward by St. Pancras Housing Association to providesheltered accommodation for the elderly and a day care centre in closeproximity to existing housing for the elderly in Ballymun. Their proposalinvolved providing the following services:• 1 and 2-bed sheltered accommodation• Common room.• Dining area/coffee shop• Laundry• Hairdresser• Nurse• Warden’s office and accommodation

4.3 Following extensive consultation with the residents of Sandyhill Gardens itwas proposed to locate the new St. Pancras centre immediately south of thesenior citizens’ dwellings in Sandyhill on the site of the neighbourhood centre.

4.4 Due to the nature of the services provided by St. Pancras and its location, it isproposed to integrate the centre with proposals for local retail and communityfacilities. The provision of local shops, forum and estate offices, in closeproximity to the Ballymun Day Nursery, the Holy Spirit National school andthe new playground will all help to provide a new focus for the neighbourhoodof Sillogue/Sandyhill. The integration of these facilities with the proposal bySt. Pancras has the benefit of ensuring the provision of facilities for seniorcitizens in the new centre, and also complements the neighbourhood centre.Following discussions with St. Pancras it is agreed that the café proposed bySt. Pancras will also be opened to the public thus providing a welcoming focalpoint in the new centre.


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5.0 KEY DESIGN FEATURES

5.1 An important element in the design of local retail provision is to ensure:

i) That it is attractive and imposes a sense of place on the street, andii) That it is safe, with day and night time activity supervising the space.

To achieve these two aims the new retail units will be incorporated into theproposed development by St. Pancras. The proposal to develop residentialunits above the centre will provide the vertical emphasis needed for SillogueRoad, an important distributor road, while also ensuring that the shops do notbecome places of antisocial behaviour at night.

The pictures below show examples of old neighbourhood centres provided inBlakestown and Mountview in Blanchardstown. These two examples show arow of shops set amid car-parking with no overlooking, making them placeslikely to encourage anti-social behaviour.The two other pictures show examples of an urban street in Phibsboroillustrating how the variety in height can help to create a sense of place andimportance along the street.

5.2 The design of the building should have regard to:

i. Relationship to adjoining buildings. The new building will need to haveregard to the two storey sheltered housing to the north of the site, whilealso addressing Sillogue Road to the south. To the east of the site issituated the Ballymun day nursery and to the west is land earmarked forhousing as part of the regeneration programme.

ii. Urban context. The new centre should have an urban character and helpprovide a focus point for the neighbourhood.

iii. Elevational treatment. The proposed building will have a mixture of publicand private space, which should be reflected in the design and materialsused.

iv. Height/size/massing. The proposed building should be no more than four-storeys, and no less than three-storeys fronting onto Sillogue Road. Thesize and massing will be largely determined by the close proximity to thesheltered housing to the north of the site and the need to respect people’samenity.

5.3 The retail units should ideally have rear access with a small yard of say 20-25q.m. to allow to delivery vans and staff parking (1 car parking space). Thestaff parking may be integrated with the parking provided for the residents.

5.4 Provision for customer car parking will be required to the front of the units sothat there is no on-street congestion.


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Blakestown

Mountview

Phibsboro


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6.0 COMMUNITY FACILITIES

6.1 The provision of community facilities is a very important part in the provisionof neighbourhood facilities.

6.2 There is a large number of established community groups in Ballymunoperating in many cases from existing flats and inadequate premises. Manyof these groups will be displaced by the demolition of the existing flats. It isproposed that these will be catered for in new neighbourhood and centralcommunity facilities, which will provide an important focus for local activitiesand encourage the development of new groups and activities. [BallymunMasterplan, p. 10]

6.3 There is a recognised need to provide certain elements in eachneighbourhood:• Youth Facilities• Sports Facilities• Office Space for Residents Associations, Area Forums and Support

Groups• Childcare facilities• Residential Setting for various groups, e.g. Girls Hostel.See attached thematic map illustrating Community Facilities Provision.

6.4 In assessing the requirement for community facilities a number of steps canbe identified:1. Identify the various clubs and organisations currently operating in the flats2. Identify existing and future resources.3. Identify who goes where, i.e. allocate the groups to the various resources.4. Identify gaps in each neighbourhood.

6.4.1 Identify Sillogue/Sandyhill based clubs and o rganisations currentlyoperating in the flats, i.e. in need of new accommo dation.

Local Groups:

� Sillogue/Sandyhill Estate OfficeExisting Premises: 187 Sillogue Road

� Sillogue/Sandyhill Forum OfficeExisting Premises: 219 Sillogue Road.

� LS 6 Youth ClubExisting Premises: LS 6 Sillogue Road.

� LS 12 Youth ClubExisting Premises: LS 12 Sillogue Road.

� Ograad Conradh na GaeilgeExisting Premises: B 18 & B 20 Sillogue Avenue.

� Connolly Tower Youth ClubExisting Premises: B 01, B 02 Connolly Tower.

Sport

E.g. for Coultry Celtic

Sport

E.g. for Coultry Celtic

Office/ Meeting Room

E.g. Coultry Forum Office

Coultry Estate Office


E.g. Coultry Forum Office

Coultry Estate Office

Childcare

E.g. The Children’s House Ballymun

Childcare

E.g. The Children’s House Ballymun

Residential Setting

E.g. Linx/Hail Project

Residential Setting

E.g. Linx/Hail Project

YouthYouth

NeighbourhoodCentre

St. Pappin’s YouthCentre

Ballymun East CommunityCentre

COULTRY

SHANGAN

Virgin Mary NationalSchoolVirgin Mary National

School

Junior ComprehensiveSchoolJunior Comprehensive

School

Youth

e.g. The Plough Youth Club

Youth

e.g. The Plough Youth Club

ChildcareChildcare


E.g. Shangan Forum Office

Shangan Estate Office


E.g. Shangan Forum Office

Shangan Estate Office

SportSport

Residential Setting

E.g. Aisling Project

Residential Setting


BALCURRIS/BALBUTCHER

SILLOGUE/SANDYHILL

POPPINTREE

Youth

E.g. The Columban Youth Club

Youth

E.g. The Columban Youth Club

YouthYouth

YouthYouth

ChildcareChildcare

ChildcareChildcare

Childcare

E.g. Pat Anderson Pre-School

Childcare

E.g. Pat Anderson Pre-School


E.g. Poppintree Forum Office

Poppintree Estate Office


E.g. Poppintree Forum Office

Poppintree Estate Office


E.g. Sillogue/Sandyhill ForumOffice

Sillogue/Sandyhill Estate Office


E.g. Sillogue/Sandyhill ForumOffice

Sillogue/Sandyhill Estate Office


E.g. Balcurris/Balbutcher Forum Office

Balcurris/Balbutcher Estate Office


E.g. Balcurris/Balbutcher Forum Office

Balcurris/Balbutcher Estate Office

SportSport

SportSport

Sport

E.g. Ballymun United F.C.

Sport

E.g. Ballymun United F.C.Residential Setting

Residential Setting

Residential Setting


Residential Setting


Residential Setting

E.g. Ballymun Residential Project

(Girls Hostel)

Residential Setting

E.g. Ballymun Residential Project

(Girls Hostel)

St. Joseph's National SchoolSt. Joseph's National School

Holy Spirit National SchoolHoly Spirit National School

Poppintree Community &

Sports Complex

TOWN CENTRE

For groups who provide a

Ballymun wide service

NeighbourhoodCentre

NeighbourhoodCentre

NeighbourhoodCentre

NeighbourhoodCentre

Youth Facilities Building

Senior Comprehensive SchoolSenior Comprehensive School

Possible Setanta Clubhouse

New Sports Centre

Ballymun Arts & Community

Resource Centre

ENTERPRISE UNITS

COMMUNITY FACILITIES PROVISION

Neighbourhood Themes - local groups Existing Community Facilities Existing School Facilities Future Resources


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Childcare:

� Holy Spirit Schools Aisling ProjectExisting Premises: 356 Sillogue Road

� Pre-School, Bernie Hopkins.Existing Premises: 158(a) Sillogue Road.

Ballymun Wide Groups/ Central Groups:

� Ballymun Housing Task ForceExisting Premises: 15 Sillogue Road.

� Community Action ProgrammeExisting Premises: 3, 31 Sillogue Road.

� Ballymun Unemployed and Welfare Rights CentreExisting Premises: 96 Sillogue Road.

� Women’s Resource CentreExisting Premises: 2, 10, 11 Sillogue Road.

� Ballymun Active Disability Interest GroupExisting Premises: In no. 2 Sillogue Road, with the WRC.

� Men’s Networking Resource Centre/ Job Seekers ClubExisting Premises: 1, 4 Sillogue Road

� Ballymun Voluntary Youth CouncilExisting Premises: 357 Sillogue Road

� Forum for the Arts BallymunExisting Premises: B 10 Sillogue Road

� Ballymun Development Co-OperativeExisting Premises: 282 Sillogue Road.

Enterprise:

� Community Awareness BallymunExisting Premises: 344 Sillogue Road.

� Obair NuaExisting Premises: B 07 Sillogue Road

Sports Clubs:

� Herclues GymExisting Premises: LS 3 Sillogue Road

� Ballymun United Football ClubExisting Premises: B 96, LS 16 Balcurris Road, B 6E, B 6F BalbutcherLane, B 57 Sillogue Avenue.


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6.4.2 Identify existing and future resources in Sill ogue/Sandyhill.

Existing:

� Holy Spirit National SchoolThis school contains a hall measuring 13m * 18m with a stage to the front anda canteen to the rear of the hall. While it is currently used by a number ofcommunity groups outside of school hours, it could accommodate a numberof other activities.

� Ballymun Senior Comprehensive SchoolThis school contains a central area/canteen which can hold approx. 200/250seated, with doors opening to a drama space. Little use is currently made ofthese facilities after school hours. Future plans for the school involve theamalgamation of the junior and senior schools into the existing JuniorComprehensive School. This will open up the senior school to providealternative educational facilities.

� Scoil an tSeachtar LaochThis school contains a hall measuring 20m * 11m with attendant stage. Anumber of groups use the school after school hours.

� Ballymun Recreation Centre (White Elephant)/ Youth Facilities BuildingThe existing Ballymun Recreation Centre contains a hall measuring 11m *9m, with a games room (pool table), office and store rooms. It is open from10.00am - 8.30pm Monday and Tuesday; 10.00am - 10.00pm Wednesdayand Thursday; 9.30am - 9.30pm on Fridays and 11.00am - 3.30pm onSaturdays.Future plans for this centre involve its refurbishment and extension to providea central Youth Facilities Building. This building will be managed by the YouthStrategy Group who will focus on providing services and facilities for 10 to 21year olds.

� Childcare FacilitiesSillogue/Sandyhill is well served with purpose built childcare facilities by theBallymun Day Nursery (Tir na nΌg) and Our Lady’s Nursery.

Proposed:

� Neighbourhood Centre and St. Pancras DevelopmentThis will be located in front of the Sandyhill sheltered housing complex. It willcontain a number of local shops, café and offices with an adjoining meetingroom for the forum and estate offices. The development by St. Pancras willprovide residential and day care facilities for the elderly.

� New Sports CentreA major new sports centre is currently being planned for the whole ofBallymun on a site to the north and east of Ceannt Tower. These plansinclude the provision of a new pool complex with water play area in addition toa sports hall, gym facility and attendant sporting facilities.

� Setanta Club HouseSetanta Football Club are exploring the option of building a clubhousebetween the Library and the Senior Comprehensive.


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6.4.3 Identify who goes where, i.e. allocate the gro ups to the variousresources.

� Neighbourhood Centre/ St. Pancras Development:This site will accommodate both residential and community facilities forthe senior citizens of Sillogue/Sandyhill.It will also provide for local retail provision in the area.It is proposed that the forum office and estate offices are provided withoffice space and a meeting room to consolidate a strong focus to theneighbourhood.

� It is proposed that the four local youth clubs should be integrated with theexisting youth facilities in the area, i.e. the schools and the revampedYouth Facilities Building. This ensures that best use is made of existingresources. It may also be possible to negotiate with Setanta FootballClub with regards their proposals in the area.

� It is proposed that all those groups who provide a Ballymun wide serviceshould be accommodated in the new Town Centre where they can betterpromote their service and serve their clients. This may involve locating inthe new Ballymun Arts and Community Resource Centre, purpose builtpremises or other accommodation.

� It is proposed that those groups who require enterprise space areincluded in the provision for new enterprise units as part of theregeneration programme. This may involve looking at sites throughoutthe Ballymun area.

� It is proposed that the sports groups located in Sillogue/Sandyhill, i.e.Hercules Gym and Ballymun United are integrated into existing sportingprovision. Ballymun United are currently looking at the possibility ofestablishing their own clubhouse to the north-west of Ballymun.

6.4.4 Identify gaps in the provision of community fa cilities.

Currently there is a number of gaps evident in the provision of communityfacilities, such as a lack of playground and changing facilities, and unsuitableaccommodation for a number of groups such as the forum and youth clubs.These factors have all been taken into account and appropriate facilities willbe provided in the future.

Also of note is the large number of community groups who operate from flats,liftshafts and basements in Sillogue and Sandyhill, but who in fact provide aservice to the whole of Ballymun. While a number of these groups havealready secured premises for the future, some are still uncertain as to wherethere are going. It is important that groups who have formed the backbone ofthe Ballymun community for so long are not lost during the regenerationprocess, and every effort will be made to ensure that appropriate town centrefacilities are found for these groups.


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6.5 Recommendations

� An architect has been appointed for the development of theneighbourhood centre site/ St. Pancras development. These plans shouldbe shown to the democratically elected forum for Sillogue/Sandyhill at theearliest possible time for consideration. This will include the retailprovision, as well as provision for the forum and estate office.

� Talks need to begin between the four youth clubs in the area, the YouthStrategy Group (Youth Facilities Building), the Holy Spirit School andSetanta Football Club to work out how best to facilitate youth programmesin the area.

� Enterprise Units. A number of enterprise/employment centres have beenidentified as part of the regeneration programme. It is proposed thatspaces be reserved within these sites for existing local enterprises.


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7.0 CHILDCARE FACILITIES

7.1 The recent draft childcare guidelines for planning authorities stated thatplanning authorities should have regard to the National Policy on Childcare –- to increase the number of childcare places and facilities available, and- to improve the quality of childcare services for the community, includingcrèches and other childcare facilities.

Childcare includes services involving care, education and socialisationopportunities for children. It includes pre-schools, naíonraí (Irish languageplaygroups, day-care services, crèches, playgroups, childminding and after-school groups.

The Government’s National Anti-Poverty Strategy identified childcareprovision as one measure to address poverty and social exclusion. Childcarecan help to combat poverty in four main ways:• Through combating educational disadvantage among children;• Facilitating labour market participation among women;• Supporting women in accessing training, education and employment

within the childcare sector;• Alleviating family stress and social isolation.Childcare is therefore valuable as a mechanism in supporting and enablingsocial and economic development and regeneration in disadvantaged andmarginalised communities.

7.2 Sillogue/Sandyhill is currently well served in terms of childcare provision.There are two well-established purpose built crèche facilities:• Tir na nOg (Ballymun Day Nursery), and• Our Lady’s NurseryIn addition the Virgin Mary National School runs Biteog programmes forchildren after school hours.

There are also a number of childcare services operating out of DublinCorporation flats:• Bernie Hopkins Playgroup• Aisling after-school project• The Women’s Resource Centre crèche.• Ballymun Playgroups Association in Connolly Tower

7.3 There is a recognised need to re-accommodate existing providers in the areawho will be displaced as part of the regeneration programme. Sites andservices will be examined in consultation with the Childcare Task Force andthe childcare co-ordinator for Ballymun.


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8.0 SPORTS FACILITIES

8.1 The Recreation, Sport & Leisure Strategy, produced by Holohan Leisure forBRL in December 1999 outlined a number of facilities which would bedesirable in each neighbourhood in order to cater for the neighbourhoodssporting and leisure needs. The recommendations from this report includedthe provision of:

Indoor: Small Hall (badminton court size)Multi-Purpose Room (meetings, classes, etc.)Kitchen (linked to both halls)

Outdoor: Multi-Use Games AreaSmall Changing RoomsPlaygroundChildcare Facilities

8.2 Indoor Facilities

Sillogue/Sandyhill is well served in terms of indoor facilities by the Holy SpiritNational School, the Gael Scoil, the Senior Comprehensive and the YouthFacilities Building. Both the Holy Spirit National School and the YouthFacilities Building provide good quality small halls.With future provision in the area including the extension of the Youth FacilitiesBuilding, the new sports centre and the possible provision of a hall by SetantaFootball Club, Sillogue/Sandyhill is well served to meet future demand forindoor sports. In addition a new meeting room will be provided as part of theproposal for the forum and estate offices, which could serve local needs formeetings, classes etc.

8.3 Outdoor Facilities

Proposals in the Masterplan include the need to:• Improve the quality of remaining or relocated pitches and facilities. By

improved drainage, pitches can be used over a longer period of time.• Provide safe changing and parking facilities near sports grounds.• Manage letting slots on pitches to allow full use of remaining pitches.• Provide a lit all weather facility to provide year round use. Increasing

range of sports facilities available.

Outdoor sports facilities are currently provided to the rear of the SeniorComprehensive and in the nearby Poppintree Park. There is also a hardsurface facility behind the Holy Spirit National School.

The existing soccer and gaelic pitches behind the Senior Comprehensive willbe retained. Setanta Football Club are currently exploring the possibility oflocating a clubhouse overlooking these pitches.

Poppintree Park is a regional park serving the whole of Ballymun. While thepark has the most potential for recreational use of the open spaces inBallymun, it has never been developed to the standards of a public park. Thepitches are not drained, there is no parking and high-tension cables run alongthe southern boundary of the park.


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As part of the regeneration project the edges of the park will be properlydefined with new homes overlooking the park and proving security. Thevisually obtrusive overhead cabling will be placed underground as part of acontract which begins in January 2001.It is proposed to appoint a landscape architect to help develop a plan for thepark as a whole. This plan will combine the sporting, play and social needs ofthe park. The pitches will be upgraded and drained and the east side willhave a new regional playground. The provision of parking, changing facilitiesand an all-weather surface will also be looked at.

While the existing hard surface pitch behind the Holy Spirit will be removedthe area of land to the rear of the Youth Facilities Building is being examinedregarding the provision of all weather football facilities.


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9.0 PLAYGROUNDS

9.1 Generally existing play facilities in Ballymun are in a poor state with fewopportunities for safe play. The re-development programme can be seen asan opportunity to provide a rich and varied outdoor environment for the wholeage range of children and young people in Ballymun.

9.2 Ballymun Regeneration Ltd has engaged specialist Playground Consultantsto design and oversee the installation of twelve playgrounds in Ballymun.

Throughout the Ballymun area there will be:

• Four regional playgrounds for children aged up to 12 years.This age group require play areas which provide a challenge andadventure. These playgrounds are best located within the larger parkssince this group will use all of the locality for play and need stimulatingplay opportunities outside of formal ‘Play Areas’.

• Eight local playgrounds for children aged up to six years.Children at this age play near other children and learn by watching otherchildren. They need to be supplied with play equipment to stimulatelearning and need activities and toys which assist their physical co-ordination and manipulation of objects.A key is having a safe clean surface and a sense of enclosure with sittingareas provided in sheltered spots for adults to sit while their children play.

9.3 Playgrounds will be located in strategic locations, with the focus centred on proximity to:• Schools• Crèche facilities• Neighbourhood Centres• Regional/local parks

9.4 The proposals for Sillogue/Sandyhill include the provision of one regionalplayground and two local playgrounds.


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9.5 Proposed location of playgrounds in Sillogue/Sandyhill:

• Regional Playground - To the rear of the Holy Spirit National School.

• Local Playgrounds - The recently completed playground to the rear of the Day Nursery on Sillogue Road.- In the proposed local park along Sillogue Avenue

A temporary play area has recently been fenced behind the flats inSillogue/Sandyhill Avenue. Play equipment for children up to 12 will beinstalled, which can later be transferred to the new Regional playgroundadjacent to the Holy Spirit School.

9.6 As well as providing formal play areas it is also hoped, through thedevelopment of housing areas, to provide stimulation in the design of theexternal environment to encourage games and imaginative play.This can be achieved by the changes in pattern or texture of paving, design oflow walls as sitting areas, and tactile elements such as railings and streetfurniture.

In addition many residents will have gardens for the first time which inaddition to traffic calmed streets will allow ‘doorstep’ play where children,especially 4-6 year olds, can play with a degree of independence but still bein calling distance from home. This type of play also allows a degree ofinformal and unobtrusive supervision from surrounding homes. Residentialareas will be designed for low traffic speeds of <20 mph to allow for safe play.


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9.0 CONCLUSION

9.1 Neighbourhood and community facilities are a vital element in anyneighbourhood and should be provided for within a two-year time-frame.

9.2 It is proposed that retail facilities be provided in conjunction with the St.Pancras development fronting onto Sillogue Road to cater for local needs.

9.3 It is proposed that maximum use be made of school facilities to help integratethe school into the community, thus ensuring sustainability throughmaximising existing knowledge and resources.

9.4 It is proposed to look at the new Youth Facilities Building and the proposedSetanta Clubhouse to determine how they can best facilitate groups in theSillogue/Sandyhill area.

9.5 It is proposed that 3 playgrounds be provided in the neighbourhood.

9.6 It is proposed to examine the need for future crèche and childcare facilities inthe area in conjunction with the Childcare Task Force.

9.7 Existing playing fields behind the Senior Comprehensive will be retained tomeet the needs of the sporting community. In addition Poppintree Park willbe upgraded and the land behind the Youth Facilities Building will beexamined to meet future sporting need.

9.8 Environmental plans will be drawn up which will eventually cover all the areasof Ballymun.

9.9 It is propose that the community representatives for Sillogue/Sandyhill areinvolved in the final draft of the Action Plan thus providing local knowledgeand experience.

Documents

Sillogue Area Plan - brl.ie Area Plan.pdf · 2.1 Planning Background to the ... to Clarence Perry in 1929 in his ... Sillogue/Sandyhill Action Area Plan for Neighbourhood and Community