COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM AREA COMMITTEE
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
MOTION NO. 12
MOTION: Councillor E. Coburn
"That this Committee discuss with the aid of a report the cutting of trees in Westbourne Lodge along the boundary with Ballyboden GAA and to outline what impact this will have on the residential ammenity and its relationship with the skills wall in Ballyboden GAA."
REPORT:
Tree removal and thinning work was undertaken on the 26th February 2013 on the woodland/shrubbery at the interface between the Ballyboden St Endas playing pitch and the open space at Westbourne Lodge.
The trees and shrubbery were planted approximately 15 years ago. In ideal circumstances the trees should have been thinned out at 5, 10 and 15 year intervals to allow for the best of them to become the final tree canopy. Trees in a woodland situation are generally initially planted tightly together to allow them to thrive and to reduce the competitive effect of weed growth that – tight planting limits the light at ground level available to weeds.
At the stage that they were at it would be considered prudent to undertake the work as soon as possible. However, in considering the current Arboricultural Works Programme for 2013 it was not considered necessary to include this area as there were other pressing issues in relation to street trees elsewhere in the Rathfarnham Electoral Area.
The Council had also received communication from Ballyboden St Endas GAA whose grounds adjoin the open space and who were concerned about the overhanging trees and also the effects of shading on the pitch. Again, this issue was not considered to be critical enough for the work to be undertaken in the current 2013 Arboricultural Works Programme.
Following a recent inspection of the trees it was noticed that many of them were growing close to the palisade fence separating the pitch and the woodland area and that some were leaning against the fence. There was also a particular concern that if children climbed the trees that they might fall onto this fence. It was therefore considered that all of the trees within a 2m distance of the fence should be removed and that the remainder should be thinned out as described above. Since the restriction on undertaking work on hedgerows and shrubberies to allow for the bird nesting season came into effect on the 1st of March the work was requested to be undertaken prior to that date.
One of the Council Arboricultural crews was already working in the area and had the necessary hoist and equipment to undertake the work and this is what was carried out on the 26th February 2013.
The Council has already apologised for the lack of communication with the local residents – there is usually a very good line of communication from the local depot in Rathfarnham with the residents but the crew that undertook the work was not from that depot and the liaison with the residents unfortunately did not happen.
The Council was in communication with the Residents Association on the 26th February and explained the background to the work and agreed to meet the committee to explain at first hand the reasons for and the sequence of events that led to the work.
This meeting took place on the 6th March 2013. The meeting was attended by Michael Hannon, Senior Executive Parks Superintendent, the Elected Members for the Rathfarnham Electoral Area and the Residents Association Committee and other residents.
Following a discussion on the matter is was agreed that:
1. The Council will plant a Beech and Holly hedge adjacent to the palisade fence (the residents will view the existing Beech and Holly hedge on the Green Route to acquaint themselves with what is proposed). It was proposed by the Council that this work will be undertaken in the Autumn of 2013 but following a discussion it was agreed to consider undertaking it in March 2013. A decision on this, based on the logistics of the work, will be provided to the Rathfarnham ACM on the 12th March 2013.
2. Where there are substantial gaps in the tree cover, generally greater than 10m distance, Birch trees will be planted in Autumn 2013 and with the participation of local children from the estate if possible.
3. The tree understory will be sown with woodland wildflower mix and with the participation of local children if possible.
4. Woodland bulbs will be planted in the tree understory in Autumn 2013 and with the participation of local children if possible.
It is acknowledged by the Council that both the residents and the Elected Members are understandably upset about the sequence of events and in particular about the lack of communication from the Council but it should also be acknowledged that the work was undertaken for good reasons. It is to be hoped that the incident and the measures now proposed will in time lead to an ultimate improvement in the relationship with the residents and to the local environment of Westbourne.