LEVEL 6 SMALL TOWN PLANS (TYPE 2)
I have specific comments on the area designated RD2 on the plan. I would be entirely in favour of the criteria in 5.3 Roundwood Specific Development Objectives9.
The 3 points are excellent and in keeping with the character of the village particularly Point 2.
In point 2 the idea of open space for pedestrians between the mainstreet and the eastern edge of the boundary at the reservoir buffer is commendable. A ‘village green’ with a minimum width of 15m with hard and soft landscaping, located between the nearer edge of the footpath of the main street to the eastern edge of the plan boundary at the reservoir buffer. No more than 50% of the lands within the objective boundary shall be developed prior to the provision of the ‘village green’.
However, this ideal is not what will happen. Lukal Limited (Planning Ref 20/1087) has been granted. This does not incorporate this linear ‘village green’view. Their planning application was under consideration at the point in time the Draft Wicklow County Development Plan 2021-2027 was being prepared.
I am unable to understand how such anomalies are permitted to occur, as 9 point 2 was also in the previous Wicklow County Development Plan.
I do hope that 9 Point 3. Vehicular/pedestrian/cycle access/links from the main street to the primary development lands to the south (RD3) will be reviewed as even more vehicular access on to the Main street in zone RD2 from RD3 will cause further congestion on the main street with the approved Lukal development for retail and commercial units and 55 houses.
A solution to reduce the congestion on the Main Street is to have a one-way system.
Divert traffic coming on the R755 from the north at Synotts Corner on to the R765, turning right through Knockatemple round the reservoir, to join with the R764. At the R764 and R755 junction back on the Mainstreet, 2 way traffic south on the R755 to Laragh and Glendalough; to the north access to the Main Street.
The precedent for such a similarly large roundabout has been in existence in central Dublin. When instigated in the 1960s, it was considered a crazy concept, but is now a key element of Dublin traffic management. The roundabout is actually Trinity College. An earlier Wicklow County Development Plan had suggested a similar concept but it involved major road development to the west of the village above Ashtown.