Swords Masterplan - Fingal County Council

■ Introduction
Swords is identified as a Metropolitan Consolidation Town within the Regional
Planning Guidelines for the Greater Dublin Area and has an important role as a
developing town within the Dublin City Region. In 2006, the Government
launched ‘Transport 21’, whereby commitment was given for the development of
a high quality public transport system, ‘Metro North’ connecting Dublin City
Centre to Swords via Dublin Airport. Swords will therefore be supported by a
high quality public transport network by 2013, facilitating its economic growth
and expansion in line with the Regional Planning Guidelines.
The Fingal Development Plan 2005-2011 identified the need for a Masterplan for
Swords Town Centre to guide its future growth and development. The Masterplan
will address issues relating to the historical core and role of the town, which is
evolving and changing against the background of a growing population, economic
expansion and opportunities arising from the arrival of Metro North. It is key to the
future success of Swords as a multi-functional high quality Major Town Centre
within the Dublin-City region, that the traditional Town Centre extend in a compact
manner to the south and south west, within the Pavilions 1 and Barrysparks2 development areas respectively, and integrate fully with Metro North.
The expansion of the Town Centre, in conjunction with the regeneration of the
historical Main Street and North Street areas, presents a unique opportunity to bring
a new dynamic and cohesiveness to the Town Centre and to sustain its vibrancy and
attractiveness through the sustainable provision of an appropriate mix of uses,
including modern retailing formats, and quality urban environment appropriate
to the function of a successful Major Town Centre within the Dublin-City Region.
■ Masterplan Area
The focus of the Swords Masterplan area relates to the MC (Major Town Centre),
zoned lands within the Main Street and North Street areas, Pavilions development
area, and Barrysparks development area. The boundary for the Masterplan
extends beyond these areas and guidance and proposals are considered within
this context. The GI and ST1 zoned lands within the Masterplan boundary are
considered strategic in nature, given their proximity to Metro North, and have been
considered in more detail in the documents ‘Your Swords, An Emerging City,
Strategic Vision 2035’. These lands may be considered for rezoning as MEC/MEC1
and further guidance will be developed as part of the proposed Swords LAP.
The Swords Masterplan, which is in compliance with Fingal Development Plan
Objective U01, is set within the timeframe 2008-2020, and shall be reviewed after
6 years, 2014, post arrival of Metro North.
1 ‘Pavilions Development Area’ refers to the area incorporating the Pavilions Shopping Centre, Penneys/
Residential Development and link mall, and the existing Garda Station. This area extends to and is
bound by the R132, Malahide Road, Dublin Street/Road and Carlton Court Residential Development.
2 ‘Barrysparks Development Area’ refers to the MC zoned lands to the east of the R132. The County
Development Plan refers to this area as ‘Crowcastle/Barrysparks’, but for ease of reference will be
hereafter referred to as Barrysparks development area.
■ Vision
S W O R D S M A S T E R P L A N
Introduction
The consolidation and strengthening of Swords historic Town Centre is required to
enable its continued development as a high quality, vibrant and multi-functional
sustainable urban centre. This consolidation will be encouraged through the
densification and growth of appropriate retail, commercial, residential, civic,
cultural and leisure developments, taking into account the historical character
of the town and its urban fabric.
The creation of public nodes within the new and expanding Town Centre will be
encouraged resulting in the creation of high quality well-designed, wellconnected,
focal public spaces which will attract people between the different
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character areas within the existing and expanding Town Centre and aid in the
enlivening of different areas within the Town Centre. These nodes are the Civic
Quarter, Cultural Quarter and Metro Quarter.
In association with the strengthening of the traditional Town Centre, Swords
must also grow and extend its retail, cultural, residential and commercial offer
within the Pavilions and Barrysparks development areas. These development
areas must be successfully integrated with the traditional core area and public
nodes though the creation of streets, a pedestrian priority environment, public
urban spaces, and integration with Metro North and the public transport system,
aiding in the delivery of a quality urban environment which will enhance the
quality of life for residents, visitors and workers alike.
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Swords Masterplan Area