COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN MEETING

Wednesday, January 27, 2021

MOTION NO. 244

MOTION: Councillor Peter Kavanagh

To include the following as strategic direction for the plan: Natural Heritage and Biodiversity · To protect areas currently zoned as other than recreational that have become habitats for biodiversity through natural processes

REPORT:

The County Development Plan process requires an evidence based Core Strategy, Housing Strategy and Settlement Strategy in line with the requirements of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) and consistent with the objectives of the NPF, RSES and the MASP.

A Green Infrastructure Strategy is being prepared for the Draft Plan which will inform the delivery of an integrated green network and the strategy will identify areas which are critical as green corridors and which have biodiversity, social, environmental and economic value. Policies and objectives relevant to the motion subject will be informed by the Green Infrastructure Strategy.

The objective proposed by the motion 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 several CE Recommendations.

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 Recommendations:

‘Prepare a Green Infrastructure Strategy as an integral part of the draft Plan preparation, to ensure that the ecological, economic, and social benefits to the County can be integrated into relevant policy and objectives through natural solutions’;

‘Develop policies and objectives within the Draft Plan that reflect the objectives of the National Biodiversity Action Plan 2017-2021, or subsequent plans’; and

‘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’.