COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM/TEMPLEOGUE-TERENURE AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, September 08, 2015

QUESTION NO. 4

QUESTION: Councillor D. O'Donovan

"To ask the Chief Executive what is the update with the tree pruning and removal requests for the Castleside Estate in Rathfarnham.  Residents met with SDCC officials who promised works would be carried out, but have yet to hear back as to what works will be delivered and when?"

REPLY:

Castleside Drive is listed for tree maintenance works on the 2015 Tree Maintenance Programme which remains ongoing.  The trees at this location are a very significant element in the aesthetic and amenity character of Castleside Drive and there is considerable divergence of local opinion and concern in regard to the potential visual and other impacts of tree maintenance works in the area.  Council officials have met with representatives of the residents association and a list of potential tree pruning and removal works was identified.  The visual impact of these potential tree works is likely to be quite severe. 

The Council subsequently requested a survey of the trees on Castleside Drive by a consultant arborist to confirm and prioritise trees which require to be removed in the interest of public safety and to identify remedial actions, to be agreed with the Council's Roads Maintenance section, that would minimise the removal of healthy trees that may be associated with trip hazards on the pedestrian paths in the area.  The tree survey was undertaken in recent weeks and receipt of the consultant arborist's report by the Council is imminent.  It is the Council's intention to engage in a process of open consultation with the residents of Castleside Drive in regard to the findings of this report in order to agree a programme and timeframe for tree pruning and removals in the area.