COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN MEETING

Thursday, February 04, 2016

MOTION NO. 171

MOTION: Councillor F.N. Duffy

On page 135  Replace Objective 1 with:Design, provide, conserve, enhance, facilitate, manage, protect, improve and promote the establishment of a coherent and evolving Green Infrastructure,including natural heritage, protected areas, landscape and environment in recognition of its economic value and its  importance as a non-renewable resource, toencourage, promote, develop, enhance and facilitate physical activity and improved health and well-being by providing green spaces for walking, cycling and other active recreational activities and by providing attractive and safe routes linking key green space through parks, hedgerows, rivers, streams, woodlands, open spaces and heritage and landscape features, where feasible and appropriate. Protect the green infrastructure network by resisting development that would damage, degrade, fragment, or prejudice it. All planning proposals must provide for the protection of green infrastructure and, where appropriate, for the provision of new green infrastructure.

REPORT:

It is considered that the intent of the proposed motion is provided for under the following policies and objectives  in the Draft Development Plan 2016 – 2022;

Policy G1:

‘It is the policy of the Council to protect, enhance and further develop a multifunctional Green Infrastructure network by building an interconnected network of parks, open spaces, hedgerows, grasslands, protected areas, and rivers and streams that provide a shared space for amenity and recreation, biodiversity protection, flood management and adaptation to climate change’. Objective under Policy G1 are as follows;

Policy G1 Objective:

‘The establishment of a coherent and evolving Green Infrastructure network across South Dublin County with parks, open spaces, hedgerows, grasslands, protected areas, and rivers and streams forming the strategic links’.

Policy G1 Objective 2:

‘To prepare and implement a South Dublin County Green Infrastructure Strategy during the lifetime of this plan that will form the basis for the identification, protection, enhancement and management of the Green Infrastructure Network within the County’.

Action under Policy G1:

‘South Dublin County Council will develop a Green Infrastructure Strategy for the County in consultation with key stakeholders and the public during the lifetime of the Development Plan. The Green Infrastructure strategy will form the basis for the identification, protection and promotion of Green Infrastructure and provide a structure for the long term management, enhancement and expansion of the Green Infrastructure network across urban and rural areas. The strategy will include a spatial framework on which priorities and actions can be based and a delivery framework’.

As the intent of the proposed motion is provided for under the policies / objectives above, it is considered that the wording of the proposed motion is not warranted within the Draft Plan. The wording of the proposed motion is not succinct and may lead to difficulties and confusion in the application of the Plan. Therefore the proposed wording cannot be supported.

Recommendation

Ammendments to the Draft Development Plan 2016 – 2022 are not necessary and not recommended.