COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN MEETING

Wednesday, January 27, 2021

MOTION NO. 239

MOTION: Councillor Yvonne Collins

Natural Heritage and Biodiversity: That this Council considers planting "pocket forests" in tracts of open grassland. These are mini urban forests of native woodland which act as an oasis for biodiversity.

REPORT:

The County Development Plan will contain policies and objectives relating to all aspects of the County’s Green Infrastructure and these will incorporate eco-systems services and benefits from the County’s natural resources, of which woodlands and forestry will form part.  A Green Infrastructure Strategy is being prepared as part of the County Development Plan review, which will look at integrating the ecological, economic and social assets of the County through relevant policies and objectives. This type of objective is too detailed at this strategic stage of the plan process, but could be considered as part of the draft plan preparation on foot of the strategic direction provided under the CE Recommendation: ‘Ensure that the Development Plan provides for appropriate protection of trees and hedgerows, where possible, recognising their value to our natural heritage, biodiversity and climate action and encourage tree planting in appropriate locations’. 

Recommendation: It is recommended that this motion is adopted with amendment to recognise that this type of objective is overly detailed for this strategic stage but could be considered as part of the draft plan preparation on foot of the strategic direction provided under the CE Recommendation:  

‘Ensure that the Development Plan provides for appropriate protection of trees and hedgerows, where possible, recognising their value to our natural heritage, biodiversity and climate action and encourage tree planting in appropriate locations’.