COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

QUESTION NO. 3

QUESTION: Councillor B. Bonner

To ask the Manager is there a ban on pigeon lofts in the Clondalkin electoral area because of the proximity of Casement Aerodrome?  If so, what is the extent of the exclusion zone,  how many planning applications have been refused because of this ban, and what is the rationale for this ban? 

REPLY:

In general proposals for pigeon lofts are assessed under Section 1.2.59 of the the County Development Plan 2010-2016. There is no specific ban on pigeon lofts, all applications are dealt with on a case by case basis. Where such proposals fall within the approach zones for Casement Aerodrome they are referred to the Department of Defence for comment. This is to ensure safe air navigation and to avoid the creation of hazards to aircraft movement. With respect to pigeon lofts this relates to the possibility of bird strikes on aircraft during landing or taking off from the runway at Casement Aerodrome. Such comment, where made by the Department, is taken as an essential part of any assessment of the proposed development.

Applications for pigeon lofts are rare. To the knowledge of the reportee, to date,  two applications for pigeon lofts have been refused on the grounds of endangering or interfering with the safety of aircraft or the safe and efficient navigation thereof,  one application SD12B/0295 located in the Clondalkin area was recently refused. This decision may be appealed to An Bord Pleanála.