Draft Old Connaught Local Area Plan 2025
Draft Plan Public Consultation
What is a Local Area Plan?
A Local Area Plan (LAP) is a statutory document prepared by the Local Authority in accordance with the requirements of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). The LAP will consist of a suite of policies and objectives to guide the development of the area for a period of 6 years. As set out in the Act, a local area plan may be prepared for:
“those areas which require economic, physical and social renewal and for areas likely to be subject to large scale development within the lifetime of the plan”.
The Section 28 'Local Area Plans – Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2013)' states that:
“Local Area Plans are intended to provide more detailed planning policies for areas that are expected to experience significant development and change.”
Chapter 2 of the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Development Plan, 2022-2028 lists Old Connaught as an area for which a local area plan is to be prepared.
Context & Location
Old Connaught identified as a 'new residential community' in the Core Strategy in the County Development Plan 2022-2028 .
The Old Connaught area is located in the southeast of dlr adjacent to the environs of Bray.
Boundary Change
On foot of the pre-draft consultation process and work on the draft LAP, the boundary of the Draft plan has been extended northwards towards Crinken Lane.
The map below shows:
- On the left side of the bar is the boundary for the Draft LAP, and,
- On the right side of the bar is the indicative boundary, as set out in the dlr County Development Plan, 2022-2028.
What is in the Draft Plan?
The Draft Old Connaught LAP consists of the following:
- The Draft Plan document which is split into 12 chapters and 5 appendices:
- Chapter 1: Introduction and Local Area Context
- Chapter 2: Strategic Planning Framework
- Chapter 3: Climate Action
- Chapter 4: Spatial Strategy and Site Development Frameworks
- Chapter 5: Sustainable Urban Village
- Chapter 6: Transport and Movement
- Chapter 7: Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity
- Chapter 8: Open Space, Parks and Recreation
- Chapter 9: Heritage and Conservation
- Chapter 10: Infrastructure, Utilities and Flood Risk
- Chapter 11: Phasing and Implementation
- Chapter 12: Monitoring and Evaluation
- Appendix 1: Draft Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA)
- Appendix 2: Statutory Planning Context
- Appendix 3: List of Draft Policies and Objectives
- Appendix 4: Acronyms and Glossary
- Appendix 5: Built Heritage
- Two standalone environmental reports:
- Draft Strategic Environmental Assessment - Environmental Report
- Draft Natura Impact Report
Vision for Old Connaught
The Vision for Old Connaught is to support the growth of the area as a sustainable urban village with a strong sense of place and integrating both the existing and planned new communities. It is to incrementally grow the area to attract a variety of residents and families, providing opportunities to avail of good access to neighbourhood facilities, transport options, social infrastructure and recreational and amenity assets.
10-Minute Neighbourhoods
At the heart of the Draft Old Connaught LAP is the “ten-minute neighbourhood” concept which incorporates the principles of a sustainable urban village in terms of being able to walk, cycle or use high quality public transport to access the various services, facilities and amenities.
Old Connaught - Mapped
Chapter 4 of the draft LAP - Spatial Strategy and Site Development Frameworks – sets out the overall spatial strategy for the future development of Old Connaught and identifies Character Areas within the Draft Plan area.
The interactive map below identifies these areas within the Draft LAP.
What can I comment on now?
The LAP preparation process can involve three stages of public consultation:
- Pre-Draft Local Area Plan stage (completed in Summer 2023)
- Draft Local Area Plan stage (the stage we are at now) and, potentially,
- Material Alteration’s stage (only if required).
We are now at Draft stage of the plan making process.
The Draft Old Connaught LAP will be on public display for 6 weeks from Thursday, 6 th March 2025 – Thursday, 17 th April 2025.
You are invited to submit your views on the Draft Old Connaught Local Area Plan and the future of Old Connaught.
Public Consultation
The remaining stages of the public consultation process for the Draft Old Connaught Local Area Plan are set out below.
Stage 2: Draft 'Have Your Say' Public Consultation:
Consultation Commences Thursday, 6ᵗʰ March 2025
The consultation period is from March 6 th 2025 to April 17 th 2025.
Public Information Webinar: Thursday, 20ᵗʰ March 2025
The Planning Authority will be holding a public information webinar on 20 th March 2025, 7pm - 8pm. During this event, there will be a presentation of Draft Old Connaught LAP followed by a Q&A. Click here to register for the webinar.
Drop-in Days: Tuesday, 25ᵗʰ March 2025 & Tuesday, 8ᵗʰ April 2025
dlr staff will be available to assist with your queries during our drop-in days at St. Gerard’s School, Old Connaught on Tuesday 25 th March 2025: 4pm - 8pm and Tuesday 8 th April 2025: 4pm – 8pm.
Submissions / Observations
Submissions / observations may be made in writing during the 6 week consultation period, either online or by post to:
Senior Executive Officer
Planning and Economic Development Department,
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council,
County Hall, Marine Road, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin A96K6C9
Consultation ends: Thursday, 17ᵗʰ April 2025
All submissions / observation must be made no later than the 17 th April 2025. Late submissions / observations will not be accepted.
Preparation of Chief Executive's Report on Submissions Received - 6 weeks
The Chief Executive of dlr will prepare a report on issues raised in submissions / observations received and make recommendations as required. This report will then be issued to the Elected Members of dlr for their consideration.
Consideration of the Chief Executive's Report and Draft LAP - spring / summer 2025
The Elected Members of dlr have 6 weeks to consider the Chief Executive Report and the Draft LAP.
Draft LAP is made or amended
The Plan will be made or amended by resolution at a Council meeting. If made, the plan comes into effect 6 weeks from the day it is made.
Stage 3: Material Alterations to Draft Plan (If Any)
This stage will only occur if the draft plan is materially amended.
What happens next?
The Chief Executive's report will be published on our webpage .
Further Details
For further details please visit the Draft Old Connaught Local Area Plan webpage.
