COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

MOTION NO. 6

MOTION: Councillor L. O'Toole

 "Further to my SLO included in the County Development Plan 2016

(G4 SLO 1: To facilitate the provision of an apiary colony within Waterstown Park, Palmerstown subject toappropriate location and design and regard to public amenity.) and an onsite I arranged between the Heritage Officer and a member of the Bee Keeper Federation of Ireland, at Watertown park, to assess the possibility of introducing an apiary in the area this committee asks the Heritage Officer to outline the benefits and feasibility of an apiary and also requests the Chief Executive to support the set-up of this apiary and to provide funding to the Heritage department as required."

REPORT:

"An apiary is an area where several beehives are placed. It can be constructed for harvesting honey, pollinating plants and crops, or both. A properly managed apiary will ensure that bees remain in the area and will in turn carry out pollination activities which is beneficial to the fruits, vegetables and general flora in the area where it is located.

Following an assessment of Waterstown Park and lands along the Liffey Valley the most suitable site identified for the provision of an apiary is at the allotment site in Mill Lane.  The site is considered to be safe and secure and an ideal southerly facing area which is removed from the allotment plots has been identified.  

One/two bee hives will be introduced initially on a pilot basis and subject to all going well consideration will be given to expanding the set up to include more hives.  The level of investment which extends to the provision of a small section of fencing is not considered to be extensive and will be funded out of the existing Public Realm revenue budget."