COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

MOTION NO. 23

MOTION: Councillor E. O'Brien

To ask the Chief Executive to clear away bushes/shrubbery located between trees on the green adjacent to Earlsfort Lawn, Lucan to assist the Gardaí in dealing with repeated and dangerous incidents of anti-social behaviour in this area.

 

REPORT:

It is the policy of the Council to protect and promote the conservation of biodiversity outside of designated areas and to ensure that species and habitats are adequately protected. HCL15 Objective 3 in the Heritage, Conservation and Landscapes section of the County Development Plan 2016-2022 states as follows “to protect existing trees, hedgerows, and woodlands which are of amenity or biodiversity value and/or contribute to landscape character and ensure that proper provision is made for their protection and managements in accordance with Living with Trees: South Dublin County Council’s Tree Management Policy 2015-2020.”

An initial inspection of the location showed that some works are required in the vicinity of 12 Earlsfort Lawn where a limb has fallen from a tree. There was significant dumping of rubbish and items identified on site included a child’s scooter, toy car, carpet, BBQ, paint pot, plastic draining board tray, pieces of pallet, bricks, concrete blocks, section of PVC door/window frame, 3 footballs, green waste, soft drink bottles/cans, sweet wrappers. The items identified appear to be of local origin and there was no evidence of anti-social activity taking place.

At the time of inspection the area was being used by children at play with one child in the process of removing a rope swing from a tree.

In light of the Councils Policy and the absence of evidence to suggest the presence of anti-social activity, there are no current proposals to remove the hedgerow. The hedge will be cleaned and pruning works opposite No 12 will be undertaken.

Should further details of anti-social activity be made available, the hedge can be reviewed having regard to the Councils policy and any works considered necessary will carried out accordingly.