COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, November 11, 2019

QUESTION NO. 6

QUESTION: Councillor Peter Kavanagh

To ask the Chief Executive what actions SDCC are undertaking to measure and record the presence, population, distribution and location of protected species and protected habitats within its jurisdiction to ensure no further habitats and species are accidentally destroyed, with particular reference to woodlands in the county and areas earmarked for future development.

REPLY:

There are various ways of protecting habitats through the planning system. Information on habitats and species is a requirement for large planning applications through the Environmental Impact Assessment process. Furthermore, all planning applications are appropriately assessed under the Habitats Directive to ensure no detrimental impact to the objectives set out for designated Special Protection Areas and Special Areas of Conservation. In addition to statutory requirements, ecological assessments may be provided or sought for applications where there is concern over specific flora and/or flora. 

Occasional ecological studies and surveys are also commissioned by the Council's Heritage Officer under the County Heritage Plan or as part of co-operative projects with other Council Departments or local community groups.  Whenever requested, the Heritage Officer advises on known records of habitats and species.

Outside the planning process, there are many environmental protection procedures undertaken by the Council, for instance through waste management.

Ideally, to avoid unforeseen or accidental environmental impacts beyond those processes outlined above, detailed baseline data on the distribution and abundance of habitats and species in the County would be collated.  

The forthcoming County Biodiversity Plan which is currently being drafted, will include a focus on the gathering of ecological data as part of a wider objective relating to a Green Infrastructure Strategy for the County.  The objective of this Green Infrastructure Strategy is to identify, develop and sustain green corridors throughout the County that will serve to protect interconnectivity for wildlife and habitats.  This action will also serve to address objectives in the current County Development Plan relating to Green Infrastructure.