COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN MEETING

Thursday, June 17, 2021

MOTION NO. 245

MOTION: Councillor T. Gilligan, Councillor C. O'Connor , Councillor D. O'Donovan, Councillor E. O'Brien, Councillor E. Murphy, Councillor Yvonne Collins, Councillor T. Costello, Councillor Shane Moynihan

This motion is submitted as a group motion in the names of Councillors E. O'Brien, C. O'Connor, E. Murphy, T. Gilligan, D. O'Donovan, T.Costello, Y.Collins, S. Moynihan That this Development Plan commits actively encouraging the incorporation of Green Roofs (additions made to the roof of existing buildings for growing flora) on all new Apartment / Industrial builds where possible

REPORT:

Section 4.2.2 Sustainable Water Management highlights the role of green roofs as a feature of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems.

Section 4.2.3 dealing with Climate Resilience addresses the value of green roofs. This section also highlights the potential role of green roofs and walls in the development of a ‘greening factor’ for the County.

Section 13.9.1 requires that ‘In general, all new developments will be required to incorporate Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS).

− Sustainable Drainage Systems include devices such as swales, permeable pavements, filter drains, storage ponds, constructed wetlands, soakways and green roofs.’

It is considered that the CE Draft Plan should make a more direct reference to Green Roofs and other appropriate GI interventions in new development and include requirement for evidence based green roof policy to be prepared as part of the preparation of the Council’s ongoing SuDS Guidance document. It is recommended that the motion be adopted with the following amendment.

RECOMMENDATION:

It is recommended that the motion is adopted with amendment to insert a new objective in Policy 5: Climate Resilience as follows:

Require the provision of green roofs and green walls, providing benefits for biodiversity and as an integrated part of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) and Green Infrastructure, in apartment, commercial, leisure and educational buildings, wherever possible and develop an evidence base for specific green roof requirements as part of the Council’s ongoing SuDs strategy development.