COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN, NEWCASTLE, RATHCOOLE, SAGGART AND BRITTAS AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, November 16, 2022

QUESTION NO. 15

QUESTION: Councillor Eoin Ó Broin

To ask the Chief Executive if it is possible for him to require all new multi floor buildings that receive planning permission to install boxes for Swifts or Swallows?

REPLY:

The provision for swift or swallow boxes is one of the options facilitated in the County Development Plan as a GI intervention as part of the green space factor required of all developments – ‘‘The provision of bird boxes (as building façades for nesting sparrows or swift bricks), bat boxes, hedgehog passes, and other wildlife interventions as required in landscape settings’. Further supporting policy for biodiversity is included in the Development Plan in the Natural Heritage section including objectives such as NCBH5 Objective 1: ‘To ensure that development does not have a significant adverse impact on biodiversity, including known rare and threatened species, and that biodiversity enhancement measures are included in all development proposals.’

In addition, the Council’s Climate Change Action Plan contains an objective re Swifts: E.22 In all building projects, new build or retrofit, Swift Bricks or other nesting sites for swifts will be provided where practicable. The presence of swift breeding sites will be identified to ensure that known breeding sites are not lost as a result of construction work.
While it may not be appropriate for all multi floor buildings to be required to install swift or swallow boxes, there is sufficient policy support to require them in appropriate locations by way of condition.