COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN MEETING
Thursday, February 04, 2016
MOTION NO. 206
MOTION: Councillor F.N. Duffy
That on page 143 Policy 1 Replace Objective 1 with:Protect, conserve, preserve, manage, enhance, safeguard and, where appropriate restore, natural, built and cultural heritage features the quality and character of the environment and natural amenity assets as non-renewable resources and in particular, National sites designated, proposed for designation and any future designations and maintain/develop linkages between them, for the benefit for current and future generations in association with stakeholders while maximising their recreational, amenity and tourism potential for the present generation by resisting development that may have a negative impact. Create opportunities in suitable locations for active recreation and the provision of visual relief from the built environment. Avoid unnecessary harm and reduce the effect of harm where it cannot be avoided. Implement the provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2000(as amended) which protects the natural heritage. Engage with local communities and other relevant stakeholders in the protection of the natural heritage.
REPORT:
HCL Policy 1 is an overarching policy that introduces the Heritage, Conservation and Landscape Chapter of the Draft Development Plan. The policy relates to the protection, conserve and enhancement of natural, built and cultural heritage features within the County and provides support the objectives and actions of the County Heritage Plan. As an overarching policy it is considered it is appropriately clear, succinct and precise in relation to drawing together, safeguarding and enhancing the various aspects of heritage.
The Chief Executive agrees with the sentiment of the motion, however, the proposed wording is unstructured and complex and is not consistent with policy contained with ‘Taking Steps to be a Literacy Friendly Local Authority’ (SDCC and National Adult Literacy Agency, 2012) in relation to the use of simple, plain and clear language that is literacy friendly.
Furthermore the wording of the motion, as a proposed overarching policy statement, is excessive, imprecise and not appropriate to Chapter 9 in that it attempts to cover a multitude of elements that are either:
- already covered by other more appropriate policies contained in Chapter 9 of the Draft Plan (national sites);
- covered by other chapters contained in the Draft Plan (non-renewable resources, recreation, amenity, tourism); or
- are not relevant or actionable through the Draft Plan (public consultation on matters relating to natural heritage).
The wording of the proposed motion would therefore hinder and detract from the quality, structure and implementation of the overarching policy on heritage as contained in the Draft Development Plan.
Recommendation
It is recommended that this motion is not adopted