Services Department Report- Senior Centre, Park Close, Sallynoggin

Services Department Report- Senior Centre, Park Close, Sallynoggin

Architects & Culture

The development as proposed to construct a multi-function Senior Citizen Centre on the site of the previously removed Senior Citizen Centre adjacent to the existing Sallynoggin Youth Centre. The existing entrance to the site remains as the entrance to the new facility.

Site & Location:

The site is located off Park Close Road beside the road junction with Pearse Road, Sallynoggin. Opposite the site to the North is a church. The existing Youth Centre is to the East further East within easy walking distance of the site are the shops and a school.

Site Zoning:

The site is located on lands zoned Objective ‘A’- To protect and /or improve residential amenity. The surrounding land is also zoned ‘Objective ‘A’

Description of the proposed Part 8 Development

This is a one storey new building linked to the existing Youth Centre to create a combined facility for use by all or for standalone use as a Senior Citizen Centre with its own entrance and facilities.

These facilities include a large multifunction hall with sprung floor, an entrance hall and storage space, one disabled WC, a kitchen, office, external relaxation area and closed in bin storage shed. The south facade opens up to the external relaxation area. The west façade connects to the Youth Centre via a link corridor connection both facilities.

The total area of the building is 158 square meters.

Parking:

There are six proposeddisabled parking bayson this site and5/8 bicycle stands located at the entrance to the site.

Landscaping:

It is important that the proposal included for good quality landscaping, paving and to include for planting and semi-mature trees incorporating bench seating to the front and seating to the south facing rear relaxation area to maximize the open amenity area of the users for realization and social interaction.

Planning and Enterprise Department

Proposal to construct a multi-functional Senior Citizen Centre on the site of the previously removed Senior Citizen Centre immediately adjacent to the existing Sallynoggin Community Centre. The site is zoned “Objective A”, ‘to protect and/or improve residential amenity’. The proposed use is considered acceptable since a Community Facility is ‘Open for Consideration’ under this land use objective, the proposed development replaces a like centre use, and the facility will provide a valuable service to the local community.

The Planning Department provided comments on an earlier design proposal in June 2014. The building design has now been slightly amended with regard to its area (reduced from 175m2 to 158m2), number of W.C.’s (reduced from two to one) and finishes.

The proposed building (a stated 158m2 in extent) is 5.9 meters (m) in height with a 2.4m high corridor linking to the Youth Centre. It will comprise of an office, accessible toilet, kitchen, store and multi-functional hall (122m2). The annotated proposed external finishes include: Render or cement panel finish (white/cream colour to match the existing building, which will be appointed the same colour) for the walls, thermally broken double glazed windows and a profiled sheeted eaves/roof finish with the insertion of solar panels. While the Youth Centre is not particularly distinctive, regard is had to designing a structure which attempts to ‘marry’ the two buildings. It is important that the proposed finishes and colours for the new build contributes to creating a cohesiveness of sorts.

It is considered that given the positioning of the proposed development on the site, the proposed height and extent of the building, the proposed Centre will not have a negative impact on the residential amenities in the area and is in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

Transportation Department