COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF CLONDALKIN, NEWCASTLE, RATHCOOLE, SAGGART AND BRITTAS AREA COMMITTEE
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
MOTION NO. 8
MOTION: Councillor F. Timmons
Cathaoirleach’s Business
That this Area Committee acknowledges that we are in a biodiversity and climate emergency and requests that following the awful destruction of hedgerows and trees at Alymer Road - Castlebaggot that SDCC do everything possible to save future hedgerows and trees.
REPORT:
In relation to the protection of hedgerows across the county; the County Development Plan has several Policies and Objectives that specify the requirement to protect and enhance hedgerows. These policies and objectives are implemented particularly when land is subject to development that requires planning permission.
Each planning application is assessed on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the County Development Plan, national and regional policy, ministerial guidelines and the Planning and Development Act. All planning applications are subject to a statutory public consultation process, and there is a right of appeal to An Coimisiún Pleanála, with the exception of applications within Strategic Development Zones (SDZs), which are assessed under a separate statutory framework.
In some cases, objectives to protect hedgerows must be balanced against other objectives of the County Development Plan which support various types of development and other obligations, such as road safety. In such cases the Planning Authority requires mitigation or compensatory measures for the loss of biodiversity.
There is planning permission (PRR No. SD24A/0107W) in place on part of Aylmer Road for, in summary, road upgrades, road widening, safety measures and dedicated pedestrian and cyclist paths. The surrounding lands are zoned for 'EE - Enterprise and Employment' and the proposed development would provide sufficient safe access to the zoned lands. The Applicant was required to prioritise the existing green infrastructure assets and submit detailed landscaping proposals. Condition No. 4 of the grant of permission required: “A GI plan is to be submitted showing the measures taken to protect and enhance the existing GI corridor. Prior to the submission the applicant is required to contact the public realm section. REASON: To ensure Green Infrastructure Assets are protected and enhanced on site.” The Green infrastructure (GI) measures included:
- setting the shared pedestrian/cyclist path off the road, behind the hedgerow so as to avoid the need to remove it,
- retention and enhancement of long lengths of the existing hedgerow,
- new hedgerow to be planted where the existing one is to be removed to facilitate development, and
- the provision of two surface water attenuation ponds to the south of the widened road.
Based on the above, the planning process has sought to retain the existing hedgerows as much as possible as part of the proposed development to improve Aylmer Road for safety, pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles. Where removal of parts of hedgerows is necessary, these will be subsequently replaced with native hedgerow planting as part of the GI plan for the site.
In general, in relation to a permitted development, a developer is required to carry out the development in accordance with the plans and particulars permitted. If it is alleged that a developer carries out works contrary to a grant of permission, this can be raised with the Council’s Enforcement Section and will be investigated.