COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN MEETING
Thursday, February 04, 2016
MOTION NO. 215
MOTION: Councillor P. Gogarty
Motion: Cllr P. Gogarty Cllr L. O’Toole, Cllr G. O’Connell
Given that we need to reduce water runoff and given that green roofs have numerous social, economic and environmental benefits and can contribute positively to issues surrounding climate change, flooding, biodiversity and declining green space in urban areas - Add in E2 Objective 6 to read: "To ensure all new commercial, industrial and public buildings include green roofs and/or solar panels or a mix of the two for flood alleviation, insulation and the supply of low carbon renewable energy and/or heating alternatives."
REPORT:
Having regard to the requirement for solar panels on all new commercial, industrial and public buildings, it is noted that the energy efficiency and renewable energy requirements for the construction of new non-residential buildings are currently addressed in the Building Regulations Part L (2008) and relevant national policy and guidelines. In consideration of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) and the Planning and Development Amendment Act 2010, it is considered that the function of County Development Plan policies and objectives in this regard, is to support incremental changes to the Building Regulations Part L, national guidelines and other guidance, that may occur over the lifetime of the Development Plan, without duplicating or introducing specific requirements on energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies that may conflict with or impede the implementation of the Building Regulations on any specific site for development.
It is recommended that the Draft Plan 2016-2022 policies and objectives continue to support any future changes to the Building Regulations and national guidance, such as for example, Towards Nearly Zero Energy Buildings in Ireland: Planning for 2020 and Beyond, Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, (2012).
Having regard to the above, it is considered that the energy performance of new buildings is sufficiently addressed in Energy (E) Policy 4 and Chapter 11 Implementation, of the Draft Plan.
Under Energy (E) Policy 4, the Council aims to ensure that all new development is designed to take account of the impacts of climate change, and that energy efficiency and renewable energy measures are considered in accordance with national building regulations, policy and guidelines.
As such it is considered that the Draft Plan adequately addresses the energy performance of new buildings in South Dublin County.
The inclusion of green roofs in new developments can make significant contributions to managing and draining surface water in an environmentally friendly way, and as part of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS). In this regard Green Infrastructure (G) Policy 5 – Objective 2 of the Draft Plan, states: ‘to promote the provision of Green Roofs and/or Living Walls in developments where expansive roofs are proposed such as industrial, retail and civic developments. Furthermore, having regard to Development Management implementation standards, Section 11.6.1 (iii) states that: ‘in general all new developments will be required to incorporate Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS)’. Green roofs are listed in this section as devices that can be included in a Sustainable Urban Drainage System. As such it is considered that the Draft Plan adequately addresses the opportunities for the inclusion of green roofs in new buildings in South Dublin County.
In consideration of the motion proposal to ensure that all new commercial, industrial and public buildings include green roofs and/or solar panels or a mix of the two, such a mandatory requirement would increase the cost of constructing commercial development, and as such would place South Dublin County at a competitive disadvantage in attracting and generating employment growth across the County.
Recommendation
It is recommended that this motion is not adopted.