COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM / TEMPLEOGUE / FIRHOUSE / BOHERNABREENA AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, October 12, 2021

MOTION NO. 12

MOTION: Councillor Alan Edge

That the Chief Executive carries out a biodiversity survey of all the green areas of Woodstown estate, Knocklyon, including the triangular wilded area between Woodstown and Stocking Well estates, informing and supporting the work being done by the biodiversity committee set up by local residents after consultation with the Heritage Officer.

REPORT:

There has been some engagement with the local community in 2021 in the park and open spaces highlighted in this Motion. Some agreement was reached in relation to grass and meadow management and it is noted that populations of bats have also been recorded to occur at particular locations.

A survey of this area of Woodstown/ Stocking Well would be the first step in determining the precise nature and extent of the biodiversity resource present. Such as study could assist with developing appropriate habitat management and open space maintenance options that would maximise and enhance this resource as part of the Council’s Green Infrastructure Strategy, Biodiversity Action Plan, and Climate Change Action Plan.

As the appropriate season for most biodiversity surveys is drawing to a close for this year, any surveys would be postponed until 2022. It is a prerequisite for all proposed community projects located in parks and open spaces, that communities register their projects with Public Realm. This is to ensure appropriate agreements are in place before any work or activity commences.