COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN MEETING

Thursday, June 17, 2021

MOTION NO. 232

MOTION: Councillor Carly Bailey

SLO: To provide more tree cover across the county, in particular to areas that are lacking trees such as in the Dublin 12 area of the County.

REPORT:

The value of trees in delivering carbon sequestration is undisputed. Section 3.3.6 of the Plan acknowledges their visual, historic (marking ancient field and townland boundaries) and landscape value. The Plan also acknowledges their ecological value and their role in combatting pollution and their role in combatting climate change through carbon sequestration. Tree canopy cover in the County has been assessed based on data provided by UCD, see Fig 4.1. It is highly desirable that the extent of this canopy should be extended during the lifetime of the plan.

GI 5 Objective 3 addresses tree canopy cover as follows:

To ensure compliance with the South Dublin Climate Change Action Plan and the provisions of the Council’s Tree Management Strategy.

-           Increase the County’s tree canopy cover by promoting annual planting, maintenance, preservation and enhancement of trees, woodlands and hedgerows within the County using locally native species and supporting their integration into new development.

-           Identify suitable sites for new urban trees.

-           Support the  implementation of a co-ordinated regional approach to the maintenance of trees and support the work of the Regional Steering Group on Tree Management to which South Dublin County Council is a participant.

-           Promote the establishment of tree trails in public parks across the County

 It is considered that the subject of the motion is adequately addressed through Objective GI 5 Objective 3 in the CE Draft Plan and that an SLO is not required for a particular area.

Recommendation:  It is recommended that this motion is adopted with amendment to reflect that the existing Policy GI 5 Objective 3 of the CE Draft Plan addresses the motion.