COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN MEETING

Thursday, June 17, 2021

MOTION NO. 238

MOTION: Councillor F. Timmons

That this Council has an Objective that rivers and river beds in the County are to protected and that SDCC work in co-operation with Irish Waterways and Friends of the Camac and other interested/relevant groups in the County on this.

REPORT:

GI Policy 3 states- ‘Protect and enhance the natural, historical, amenity and biodiversity value of the County’s watercourses. Require the long-term management and protection of these watercourses as significant elements of the County’s and Regions Green Infrastructure Network.

- Accommodate flood waters as far as possible during extreme flooding events and enhance biodiversity and amenity through the designation of riparian corridors and the application of appropriate restrictions to development within these corridors.’

GI 3 Objective 2  states - ‘To require development proposals that are within riparian corridors to demonstrate how the integrity of the riparian corridor can be maintained and enhanced having regard to flood risk management, biodiversity, ecosystem service provision, water quality and hydromorphology. ‘

GI 3 Objective 3 states- ‘To promote and protect native riparian vegetation along all watercourses and ensure that a minimum 10m vegetated riparian buffer from the top of the riverbank is maintained/reinstated along all watercourses within any development site.’

It is considered that the intent of the motion is reasonable. Rivers and river-beds in the County are protected to the greatest extent possible through existing policy and objectives in the Draft Plan and SDCC as part of its function will continue to liaise and work with relevant authorities and stakeholders on matters pertaining to waterways/rivers such as Waterways Ireland and Inland Fisheries.

It is recommended that the wording of GI Policy 3 is amended to reflect this.

Recommendation

It is recommended that this motion is adopted with amendment, resulting in GI Policy 3 being revised to state the following:

GI Policy 3 - Protect and enhance the natural, historical, amenity and biodiversity value of the County’s watercourses. Require the long-term management and protection of these watercourses as significant elements of the County’s and Regions Green Infrastructure Network and liaise with relevant Prescribed Bodies where appropriate.