COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

MOTION NO. 9

MOTION: Councillor E. Tuffy

"That this Committee welcomes the fact that positive discussions have taken place between the new owners of the St Edmundsbury lands, Lucan and requests the Manager to present to the meeting an outline report on the discussions and interaction between the Council and the new owners, around the intentions of the owners to actively farm parts of the lands, and related matters such as the conservation of buildings and measures to promote bio-diversity."

REPORT:

The new owners of the St Edmundsbury property took possession on 1st November.  They had not engaged any land management consultants before acquiring the property.

Regarding Protected Structures on the property, the Councils Architectural Conservation Officer was contacted by the new owners of St. Edmundsbury Lands, Lucan during the middle of November 2013 requesting advice with regard to the current condition of the buildings on site.  A site meeting was arranged between the Councils Architectural Conservation Officer and the new owners which took place on the 22nd November 2013.

All structures on site were inspected and advice was provided on matters discussed.  The Architectural Conservation Officer agreed that based on the discussions held at the site meeting that she would email the owner with a list of immediate works that could be carried out to ensure the structures are made safe (i.e. removal of corrugated sheeting where these have come loose and are in a dangerous state).   It was considered these works will not materially affect the character of the Protected Structures or its curtilage.  The new owners were advised that a Conservation Architect should be engaged so that proper surveys and condition assessments can be carried out of all structures. It is the owner's intention to carry out essential repairs and conservation works to the existing gate lodge and farmhouse so that these buildings can be re-used and occupied.   This is very much welcomed.   Once a Conservation Architect has been engaged they will meet with the Councils Architectural Conservation Officer to discuss things further and to clarify if planning permission or a Section 5 or Section 57 declaration is required for the proposed works.

At the time of the site meeting the Councils Architectural Conservation Officer was informed by the owners that certain works to the lands were required under agricultural maintenance and to provide safe vision splays for safe transportation of heavy farm machinery from the fields to the sheds etc.   The Councils Architectural Conservation Officer advised the owners that the removal of trees and hedgerows does not come under the remit of the Councils Architectural Conservation Officer as the works being undertaken would not directly impact on the setting of the Protected Structures.   The owners were advised to contact the Council's Heritage Officer for advice regarding the removal of trees and biodiversity issues and to confirm if there were any requirements under National Parks and Wildlife.

The Councils Architectural Conservation Officer was subsequently informed by the owners on the 6th of December that a conservation architect has been engaged and is currently surveying the buildings and completing a conservation report for proposed works.  Once all the required information and survey drawings have been complete the owners will contact the Architectural Conservation Officer to arrange another meeting to progress matters.

Regarding agricultural maintenance works on the property, the new owners made contact with the Council's Heritage Officer in mid-November and arranged an on-site meeting.  The intent of the new owners to farm the land was set out.   In progressing these intentions, a number of health and safety issues were identified.    Subsequently when informed in early December of the removal of some trees and hedgerow trimming at the St. Edmundsbury lands the Council's Heritage Officer rang the owner's Land Manager to check the details and was informed that diseased and unstable trees were being removed for health and safety reasons and for traffic visibility reasons.

A section of a drain along a hedgerow was also being cleared of rubbish and overgrown vegetation to prevent the reoccurrence of flooding on the road.

A subsequent phone call from the Land Manager in mid-December informed the Council's Heritage Officer that, following an assessment of a further number of trees, they were planning to remove more diseased and unviable specimens. The Heritage Officer was also informed that other hedgerows which had become overgrown onto the arable fields were to be cut back. One particular hedgerow was deemed to be so far encroached with briars that they would be removing it completely. The Heritage Officer was assured that it would be replanted this winter with bare rooted hedgerow whips and with some up-standing specimens such as oak dispersed along the hedge line. An appropriate replanting list was discussed both for the hedgerow and also for other semi mature tree specimens which are to replace the diseased and dangerous trees which were to be removed.   Officials from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food are aware of the works undertaken.

It would appear that any works being undertaken relate to agricultural maintenance for health and safety reasons of land last used for agricultural purposes.  In the new landowners attempt to bring the recently unmanaged vegetation under some form of agricultural management, the need to retain and rejuvenate hedgerows and viable tree populations in the river valley landscape was discussed in the context of reinforcing the protected status of the area.

The Heritage Officer has kept the position under review.