COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, November 12, 2018
MOTION NO. 10
MOTION: Councillor P. Foley
That the Council treat the trees in public parks that border estates differently in the next review of the Living with Trees policy. Trees in parks are planted with no restrictions on size. While large and exotic trees can enhance a public park, the planting of such trees has a negative impact on the residential houses that they border and overlook. Residents located next to parks with large trees often live in constant shade and fear that that their property could be damaged in high winds.
REPORT:
The Council's Tree Management Policy 2015-2020 'Living With Trees' was adopted at a meeting of the Council in July 2015.
The Tree Management Policy provides a framework to inform and support decisions made by the Council on the management and development of a sustainable tree population in the County.
The objectives of the policy are:
- Improve tree management and create a safer, healthier tree population
- Implement a proactive, planned programme of cyclical tree maintenance
- Maximise the use of the Council’s resources to provide a better service and give better value for money.
This is a 5-Year management policy which is now into its third year and is scheduled for an interim review during 2018
The aim of the review is to:
- Review and assess progress to date on the implementation of the Action Plan
- Confirm whether the vision established by the policy is the right focus
- Provide an updated snapshot of our current tree stock and how the Council manages them
- Reassess aspects of the policy on particular issues that continue to generate ambiguity
- Look at emerging issues
- Assess consistency of relevant policies and actions of the Tree Management Policy with the Council’s Climate Change Action Plan
- Make new policy recommendations as necessary from review process
Included in the specific policy issues proposed for review are trees in conflict with built structures – a clear protocol is required for resolving issues where trees are in conflict with the built environment. Specific locations include public footpaths, private boundary walls and driveways. Tree planting locations and species type will also be discussed.