This significant residential development is located in the Clonburris SDZ Area. Clonburris SDZ Planning Scheme is a blueprint for a new town in West Dublin. This project comprises of 569 dwellings, a creche, innovation hub and a series of connected public and communal open spaces. The SDZ Planning Scheme (2019, South Dublin Co. Council) is a blueprint for a new town and sets out the masterplanning objectives and policies for the area. A Parks and Landscape Strategy was also prepared by SDCC and DFLA and further guides the development of the parks and open spaces for the new town.
The site adjoins the Grand Canal, a proposed Natural Heritage Area, which is elevated several metres above the site lands. A linear park is proposed parallel to the canal, and two other significant local parks are proposed. Communal spaces of approximately 4000sq.m are also provided, more than 50% over the minimum requirement. Within the urban infrastructure, SuDS, ‘green streets’ and biodiversity enhancements have also been incorporated, making this a connected, permeable, resilient, sustainable and biodiversity positive project.
Seven Mills: Phase 1a creates an inclusive, supportive, resilient and biodiverse environment for residents. The site layout design proposes an urban design and landscape infrastructure that is permeable in terms of pedestrian movement, with a hierarchy of open spaces, flowing from local streets and pocket spaces into larger focal spaces and connecting to the primary parks, the Canal Linear Park, and by introducing SuDS measures and biodiversity enhancements as a fundamental principle of the design.
The design responds strongly to its location, with the Grand Canal dominating the adjoining landscape. The Linear Park follows the east-west axiality and the design of the park is sensitive to the proposed Natural Heritage Area designation of the Grand Canal and environs, so large areas of retained willow scrub and other riparian and wet meadow habitats are retained and protected and a seasonal wetland was also integrated into the design. Concrete pavements, remnants of a demolished farmyard, were integrated into the design of a plaza on the western side of the park.
