COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, July 11, 2022

QUESTION NO. 21

QUESTION: Councillor F. Timmons

To ask the Chief Executive for a report into, given the climate changes expected the next few years, how can we protect historical structures in SDCC?

REPLY:

As part of project delivery and the protection of our historic built environment there are on-going conservation and repair works being carried out by the Architectural Conservation Section and Architectural Services of which are included as work being done to deliver Climate change actions supporting SDCCs CCAP and National Climate Change Policy and actions by way of on-going maintenance and repair works.

By way of direct and indirect actions the following has been delivered to date under the Architectural Conservation, LUPT Capital Fund a number of conservation and repair projects have been completed – i.e., Kilinniny Towner (ruin), Ballymount Gate House (ruin), King Johns Bridge, Esker, Rathfarnham Church and Graveyard, St. Finian’s Church, Esker, Kiltalown House (roof repairs) and there are other projects proposed for 2022. These project works were emergency remedial repairs and conservation work to the original built fabric to prevent any further deterioration to buildings in use and ruinous structures which otherwise would be lost through weathering and conditions brought about by climate change. 

Other Architectural Conservation Projects being funded under Community Department or Economic Development have been completed or are in progress include; Court of Petty Sessions, Rathcoole and Former St. Marys Primary School, Saggart which includes energy efficiency and thermal upgrading works. 

As part of the National Architectural Conservation grant schemes funded by the Department and administered by SDCC.  Both the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and Historic Structures Fund include funding opportunities for Local Authorities and Private Owners of Protected Structures and properties within Architectural Conservation Areas to apply for funding for energy efficiency works, upgrading or works to tackle climate change all of which are available under both schemes.

The County Development Plan (2022-2026) includes a number of new policy objectives under the Architectural Conservation Section which includes energy upgrading works and adaptive reuse of buildings which adhere to government policy and best practice. Policies of which will be implemented when assessing proposed developments for Historic/Protected Structures and within ACAs.  

The DHLGH Architectural Policy and Protection Unit are currently working on new guidance (Improving the energy efficiency of traditionally built buildings) under Action 50d of the Climate Action Plan 2019.  The purpose is to provide clear and robust advice to the professional users while being accessible to a wide audience and will include modelled case studies.

As part of SDCC Climate Change Action Plan, the following Actions are included:

E26 Develop maintenance and condition survey programmes for Council owned historic and ancient monuments that are informed by climate change impacts and;

E27 Conduct research and seek to develop Council based case studies on appropriate and sensitive retrofitting/energy upgrading of traditional buildings to inform works both to Council owned properties and to guide private owners.

The Councils Architectural Conservation Officer and Architects Department will be jointly working on the above actions as part of the Building and Energy Working Group.  These actions are both very specific and specialised areas of work; therefore, the engagement of specialist consultants will be required to support the necessary research and surveys. 

The direct and most proactive way of protecting our historic buildings within our County is to ensure continued maintenance and to support and fund the necessary repair and conservation works required in order to address any specific issues, thereby ensuring the existing built fabric withstands any possible damage from climate change.