COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN MEETING

Monday, May 16, 2016

MOTION NO. 16

MOTION: Councillor P. Gogarty

Motion Cllr P Gogarty, Cllr L O'Toole, Cllr G O'Connell

Insert E2 Objective 8 to read: To ensure, where feasibly practical and viable, the provision of green roofs for all new public buildings (Council buildings, school buildings, hospitals, community centres, sports facilities, libraries, Garda stations etc), to assist in flood alleviation, insulation and improved biodiversity, and to actively promote these measures where appropriate in new commercial and industrial buildings.

REPORT:

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.

It is noted that ensuring the provision for green roofs for all new public buildings will impact on the viability and effectiveness of rainwater harvesting systems particularly for public buildings that will have a high water demand such as schools, hospitals and sports facilities. The use of green roof measures may, therefore, not be appropriate or viable for all public building developments in the County.

Furthermore, it is considered that there are a range of options for flood alleviation for each development proposal and on a case by case basis. It is considered that to ensure the provision of green roof technologies on all public buildings is overly prescriptive and may limit the range of flood alleviation and climate change mitigation measures that are both viable and practical on each site.

Recommendation

It is recommended that this motion is adopted with amendment:

Additional Objective, E2 Objective 8, to be inserted and to read as follows:

‘To support, where feasibly practical and viable, the provision of green roofs for all new public buildings (Council buildings, school buildings, hospitals, community centres, sports facilities, libraries, Garda stations etc), to assist in flood alleviation, insulation and improved biodiversity, and to actively promote these measures where appropriate in new commercial and industrial buildings’.