COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SDZ, LAPS AND PLANNING PROJECTS

Friday, January 26, 2018

MOTION NO.230

MOTION: Councillor P. Gogarty

In section 2.9 amend panel Key Principles to read:

REPORT:

Response

This motion relates to the Key Principles of Section 2.9 Services, Infrastructure and Energy Framework. The motion provides for additional text with regard to sufficient water pressure, water conservation, solar energy and gas infrastructure. These text changes are broadly acceptable and consistent with the strategic recommendations of the Clonburris Energy Masterplan. It is considered that the proposed text changes with regard to green roofs should be amended for the reasons outlined below.

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 Section 2.9.5 of the Draft Planning Scheme states, ‘Roof water runoff should be captured and treated within the curtilage of each site, for example through use of Blue and/or Green Roofs. Such measures should be prioritised for larger/mixed use developments within the Kishoge and Clonburris urban centres’.

In consideration of the motion wording ‘to mitigate the risk of flooding by installing Green Roofs in all apartment buildings’ such a mandatory requirement will impact on the viability and effectiveness of rainwater harvesting systems for apartment and other high density mixed use developments. The use of green roof measures may, therefore, not be appropriate or viable for all apartment developments on the SDZ lands.

Furthermore, in accordance with Section 2.9.5 of the Draft Planning Scheme, 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 apartment buildings is overly prescriptive and may limit the range of flood alleviation and climate change adaptation measures that are both viable and practical on each site.

Having regard to the Government’s commitment to addressing the need for new residential development in Ireland and the implementation of ‘Rebuilding Ireland’ (2016), it is considered that the viability of new development and residential supply on the SDZ lands, would be placed at risk by insertion of unreasonable or excessive requirements in relation to the standard of housing or ancillary services and facilities that, in turn, impact adversely on the economic viability of commercial investment in and deliverability of new housing development over the lifetime of the SDZ Planning Scheme.

Having regard to mitigation of the risk of flooding by installing Green Roofs in all apartment buildings; it is considered that this proposed wording should be amended as follows:

‘To mitigate the risk of flooding by promoting installing Green Roofs in all apartment buildings, by integrating a comprehensive and high quality Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUD) into the design of new developments and maximising opportunities to incorporate rainwater attenuation measures into public realm, parks and open spaces;

Recommendation

It is recommended that this motion is adopted with amendment.

Amend the text of the Key Principles of Section 2.9 Services, Infrastructure and Energy Framework on page 67 as follows:

The infrastructure, services and energy framework is based on a number of key principles:

To set out a comprehensive evidence based approach to services, infrastructure and energy requirements and opportunities at Clonburris;

To ensure that infrastructure and services optimise connection to existing on site water main, foul and surface water pipe networks and resources and to ensure that sufficient water pressure is maintained at all times through the provision of pumps;

To ensure that water conservation is built into the infrastructure through the provision of intelligent systems;

To co-ordinate the delivery of infrastructure into key routes and corridors and the sharing of trenches to common infrastructure, to optimise road space, and to minimise potential impacts on the public realm arising from ongoing maintenance works;

To mitigate the risk of flooding by promoting installing Green Roofs in all apartment buildings, by integrating a comprehensive and high quality Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUD) into the design of new developments and maximising opportunities to incorporate rainwater attenuation measures into public realm, parks and open spaces;

To promote demand management and sustainable supply systems for all services;

To progress and actively promote a range of low carbon and renewable energy opportunities at Clonburris, particularly solar PV and demonstrate leadership in their development and realisation, from strategic site options to individual block level technologies, in accordance with the recommendations of the Clonburris Energy Masterplan;

To enable connection and high quality use of telecommunications infrastructure by a range of parties, promoting Clonburris as a connected place;

To provide for gas infrastructure requirements in partnership with energy providers and other stakeholders should no cost effective and lower carbon energy source be available at the time of any sector being developed;

To maximise best practice for waste minimisation, reuse and recycling during demolition, excavation, construction and occupation of development; and

To explore the use of pneumatic waste collection system for new developments, in particular higher density development areas at Clonburris and Kishoge.

Strategic Environmental Assessment of Chief Executive’s Recommendation

No interaction with Strategic Environmental Objectives.

Appropriate Assessment Screening of Chief Executive’s Recommendation

No likely significant effects on European sites within the SDZ’s zone of influence are predicted.