Local Fine Gael Councillor Neale Richmond has called on Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council to involve Councillors in the Event Licensing process for concerts in Marlay Park.

Speaking at a meeting of the Dundrum Area Committee Councillor Richmond called on the Council to hold formal discussions with Councillors in advance of and following the Marlay Park concerts.

“As it stands local Councillors benefit from an excellent informal relationship of discussion with Council officials and local Gardai with regard to the large scale summer concerts in Marlay Park. However, the current situation is not sufficient and Councillors, as public representatives, should be allowed make formal contributions in relation to proposed performance dates, possible acts and audience profile.

“I remain 100% supportive of the Marlay Park concerts as a revenue generating & cultural exercise and I am grateful to Council officials for the manner in which they run the concerts but I feel we should define to a greater extent what type of concerts are suitable for performance in this largely residential area.

“Last year I think the choice of acts and the nature of the shows were wholly inappropriate. The day-long line up of acts on Saturday and Sunday brought back bad memories of the early disasters associated with the FM104 summer in the park series of some years ago.

“I am delighted that the only confirmed concert for this year will take place on a Wednesday as this will discourage many concert-goers from showing up early at the venue early, causing all manner of anti-social behaviour.

Meeting of Dundrum Area Committee

1 February 2010

Marlay Park Concerts

Motion: Councillor Neale Richmond

“That the Manager provides a full report into all discussion with MCD in relation to planned concerts for Marlay Park this summer, including what acts are scheduled to perform, what dates the concerts are to be held on and if any changes will be made to the security & traffic provisions compared to previous years.”

Report:

In October 2009 the promoter sought approval, as per condition of contract, for various acts to perform in marlay Park in 2010. Consent was given for a number of specific acts, however, to date, only one act – Green Day – has been confirmed for Wednesday June 23rd. The promoter has indicated that there may be one other date within this series and that it is unlikely that there will be any concerts later in the summer.

Issues surrounding security and traffic management will be discussed as part of the Event Licensing process. Arrangements vary depending on the act and audience profile and is generally determined by other Statutory Agencies.

The Council has begun a Public Consultation for the construction of a new sports facility in Marlay Park at the south-western corner of the park, adjacent to the College Road entrance on the site of the old cricket pitch. The proposed development comprises a new two storey pavilion containing changing rooms, a small café and three large adjustable gym/exercise rooms. Adjacent to the pavilion it is proposed to construct a full-sized all-weather pitch with a running track.

Following representations made by me, the Council has pruned the many overgrown trees along Brehon Field Road; particular attention was paid to the trees surrounding the 16 bus stop at the entrance to Kingston as well as the hedges that are currently protruding from Marlay View. The three trees uprooted along Brehon Field Road during the Marlay Park concerts will also be reinstated in November.

The Council’s Traffic Section proposes to undertake a speed and volume count shortly on the section of the Ballinteer Road between the roundabout at Ballinteer Avenue and the roundabout at Brehonfield Road to determine the full extent of traffic issues on this section of roadway. Possible solutions include the erection of a digital speed display, repeater speed limit signage and greater Gardaí enforcement of the existing speed limit, which should aid vehicles exiting from College Park and Delbrook estates.

The Council has also agreed to replace the outdated black gate which leads from Grange Road into Pine Valley Park with a new kiss gate within the next three months.

As I informed you before, work has begun on the new regional playground in Marlay Park. The new playground is located on the site of the old BMX track near the existing playground. Work is proceeding on schedule and it is hoped that it will be completed before Christmas.

A new playground was opened in Ballawley Park in recent weeks; it is located on the site of the old tennis courts. The facility consists of a number of pieces of equipment and is surrounded by a wooden fence & gated; it will cater for children up to 12 year olds. Work will soon begin on a second play lot.

Over the winter months the Council will also carry out a major refurbishment of the laneway leading from Sandyford Road into Ballawley Park. They will cut back all the protruding branches and remove the lower vegetation near the wall altogether.

Grangefield Estate has been taken in charge by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council; the Council will now be responsible for the maintenance, up keep and development of the estate.

Following the need to uproot existing screen plating so as to install a new drain, the Council will soon erect a 4m high Environmental noise barrier to the rear of College Park, this will help to mitigate for the loss of screening which the trees had provided will reduce noise levels to the houses in College Park.

With the evenings drawing in, many people have been in touch with me in relation to faulty street lights. If there is a street light near you out of order, please contact me and I will have the Council remedy this.