Development plan · Kildare County Council
Kildare County Development Plan 2023–2029 — Chapter 12: Biodiversity and Green Infrastructure
One part of the council's development plan written statement, which the council publishes in parts. Variations adopted since are not in this text.
Kildare County Council · 2023–2029 · 60 pages
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- BI O56 Ensure that development proposals or activities that may impact on sensitive water habitats, in particular wetlands (identified as part of the County Kildare Wetland Survey 2012-2014, (See Table 12.6), shall not be permitted without the introduction of mitigation measures agreed in writing with the Council to eliminate negative environmental impacts. BI O57 Support the implementation of the recommendations of the National Peatlands Strategy 2015, as they relate to County Kildare. Actions It is an action of the Council to: BI A23 Review and update the County Kildare Wetland Survey 2012-2014 during the lifetime of the plan. BI A24 Run a public awareness campaign related to the diverse and valued wetland resource of the county, to include, inter alia, the provision of important ecosystem services. BI A25 Provide training for Local Authority staff on wetland issues when assessing development proposals and planning applications. 12.12 Invasive Species and Noxious Weeds Invasive species, both invertebrate and plants, can represent a major threat to local, regional, and national biodiversity. Terrestrial and aquatic habitats can be negatively affected, resulting in significant damage to the environment and economic interests, such as agriculture, forestry and civil infrastructure. Prohibitions are in place in relation to the introduction or dispersal of certain invasive species as set out in the Third Schedule of the European Communities (Birds and Habitats Regulations 2011 (S.I. 477/2011) and as set out in EU Regulations 1143/2014 on the Prevention and Management of the Introduction and Spread of Invasive Alien Species. Thistle, Ragwort, Dock, Common Barberry, Male Wild Hop plant & Wild Oat are scheduled as noxious weeds under the Noxious Weeds Act, 1936. Noxious weeds, most of which are native plants of disturbed ground, impact adversely on agriculture. They may compete for space, harbour pests or diseases, or be injurious to livestock or human beings. It is important to note that, as native species, noxious weeds (some noxious weeds are native species), and as such, are part of our natural biodiversity and are utilized by a range of invertebrate and bird species. The management objective for these native species should be control and not complete eradication. The loss of such species will also result in the loss of species that depend on them as a food source. Creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense) for example, is a food plant for over twenty species of butterfly and moth, with four species of moth depending on the genus Cirsium as their sole food pant. Thistle seed is also an important food resource for goldfinch. Ragwort (Senecio jacobea) has four species of moth dependant on it including the day-flying cinnabar moth.419
- Policy It is the policy of the Council to: BI P9 Implement and support measures for the prevention and/or eradication of invasive species within the county and the control of noxious weeds. Objectives It is an objective of the Council to: BI O58 Require all development proposals to address the presence or absence of invasive alien species on proposed development sites and (if necessary) require applicants to prepare and submit an Invasive Species Management Plan where such species exist, in order to comply with the provisions of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011-2015. BI O59 Encourage, through Citizen Science, the public’s awareness in the identification and eradication of invasive species and to provide training with respect to potential threats caused by invasive species, particularly their methods of dispersal and appropriate control and removal measures in association with relevant authorities. Actions It is an action of the Council to: BI A26 Prepare a programme of mapping of invasive species in the county and explore the development of a web portal to allow residents of County Kildare to report invasive species in the County, during the lifetime of this Plan. BI A27 Determine, as a priority, whether there is a potential threat of invasive species to the protected sites within the County, and to begin a dedicated programme of eradication, beginning with the Natura 2000 sites. BI A28 Begin a dedicated campaign to build awareness of invasive species amongst all residents of the county. Additionally, this programme will provide training to Community Groups on appropriate control and removal measures for responsive species. 12.13 Geology The Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI), in partnership with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, is seeking to identify geological and geomorphological sites of national significance for statutory designations as Natural Heritage Areas. Other geological sites of national or local importance are being identified as Sites of Geological Importance and by virtue of their recognition in Development Plans will be protected from potentially damaging development. An audit of the Geological Heritage of County Kildare was carried out in 2005, which identified 22 geological sites of interest in the county. The list of Sites of Geological Importance is set out in Table 12.7420
- Site Name Geological Interest Location Chair of Kildare Precambrian - Devonian Palaeontology Carrickanearla, Conlanstown, Cannonstown. Dunmurry Hill Precambrian - Devonian Palaeontology Dunmurry Hill of Allen Cambrian-Silurian Barnacrow Slate Quarries Cambrian-Silurian Slate Quarries Ballysax Ballysax Quaternary Curragh Glen Ding Quaternary Blessington, Athgarrett, Newtown Great, Newtown Park Pollardstown Fen and Springs Quaternary Scarlettstown, Roseberry, Rathbride, Cornelscourt Moorhill Quaternary Kilcullen The Curragh Quaternary St. Ledgers Bottoms Ballykane Hill Lower Carboniferous Kilrainy Carbury Castle Lower Carboniferous Carbury Carrick Hill, Edenderry Lower Carboniferous Carrick Liffey Oxbow Fluvial/Lacustrine Geomorphology Celbridge Liffey Valley Fluvial/Lacustrine Geomorphology Ballymore Eustace - Kilcullen Kilbrook Spring Hydrogeology Kilbrook Louisa Bridge Springs (Cold) Hydrogeology Leixlip Louisa Bridge Springs (Warm) Hydrogeology Leixlip Rathcore Spring Hydrogeology Herbertstown St. Brigid’s Well - Japanese Gardens Hydrogeology Kildare St. Patrick’s Well (1) Hydrogeology Barrettstown, Naas St. Patrick’s Well Hydrogeology Ardrass Lower St. Peter’s Well Hydrogeology Dunmurraghill Table 12.7 - Sites of Geological Importance421
- Policy It is the policy of the Council to: BI P10 Maintain and protect the conservation value of geological sites of national or local importance and seek the sustainable management of the county’s geological heritage resource as listed in Table 12.7. Objectives It is an objective of the Council to: BI O60 Consult with the Geological Survey of Ireland regarding any development proposals within or likely to have an impact on Sites of Geological Importance set out in Table 12.7. BI O61 Contribute towards the protection from inappropriate development of Geological Natural Heritage Areas that become designated during the lifetime of this Plan. BI O62 Promote, encourage, and support the provision of access to geological and geo-morphological features of interest in cooperation/consultation with landowners (where appropriate/practicable). BI O63 Where appropriate support the restoration of Sites of Geological Importance (identified in Table 12.7). 12.14 Green Infrastructure (GI) 12.14.1 EU Policy Responding to the Biodiversity Strategy, the EU published ‘Building a Green Infrastructure for Europe’ (2014) and ‘Green Infrastructure: Enhancing Europe’s Natural Capital’ Strategy (2013), which sets out to promote the deployment of Green Infrastructure in the EU in urban and rural areas. The strategy aims to promote and facilitate Green Infrastructure (GI) projects. The EU GI strategy is made up of the following four main elements: • Promoting GI in the main EU policy areas; • Supporting EU-level GI projects; • Improving access to finance for GI projects, • Improving information and promoting innovation. 12.14.2 National Policy In August 2010, Comhar - The Sustainable Development Council, published ‘Creating Green Infrastructure for Ireland: Enhancing Natural Capital for Human Wellbeing’. This document proposes an approach and a set of principles that should be followed in Green Infrastructure planning.422
- 12.14.3 Green infrastructure general The environmental and heritage resources are vital for our county and can be described as the county’s ‘Green Infrastructure’. Green Infrastructure is broadly defined as “a strategically planned and managed network featuring areas with high quality biodiversity (uplands, wetlands, peatlands, rivers and coast), farmed and wooded lands and other green spaces that conserve ecosystem values which provide essential services to society” (Comhar, 2010). Green Infrastructure planning involves a holistic approach and should be provided as an integral part of sustainable development. GI planning promotes a multifunctional and spatially connected land use perspective in contrast to the ‘grey’ (man-made, constructed) infrastructure approaches that serve one single objective. An area of land can perform several functions and offer multiple benefits if its ecosystems are in a healthy state. GI aims to enhance nature's ability to deliver multiple valuable ecosystem goods and services, potentially providing a wide range of environmental, social, climate change adaptation and mitigation benefits – including water purification, air quality, carbon sequestration, space for biodiversity, recreation and amenity. Strategic Green Infrastructure planning will assist in meeting statutory obligations under EU directives and national legislation, such as the Water Framework Directive, Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), Floods Directive and Birds and Habitats Directives. Policy It is the policy of the Council to: BI P11 Identify and map the key elements of the green infrastructure network in Kildare; and seek to protect, enhance, and expand the County’s green infrastructure network, through informed, evidence-based methods, which do not threaten the integrity of existing native biodiversity. Action It is an action of the Council to: BI A29 Map tree canopy coverage in urban areas in conjunction with the preparation of statutory Local Area Plans with a view to increasing same by, where possible, 30%, as a minimum. 12.14.4 Green Infrastructure approach to spatial planning Green Infrastructure comprises an interconnected network of natural, semi-natural and artificial habitats, green spaces and ecological areas that traverse our urban and rural areas. GI can include parks, open spaces, rivers, farmland, playing fields, woodlands, allotments and private gardens which surround and intersperse our towns and villages. Individually, each Green Infrastructure site has an important role and benefit in both urban and rural areas which can be strengthened and enhanced when the sites are linked together into a network of Green Infrastructure. Many social, economic and423
- environmental benefits can be achieved especially when the Green Infrastructure is proximate to where people live and work. Existing areas of green infrastructure mostly coincide with important areas for biodiversity and in the main these areas should be avoided, where possible. An intention of route selection should be to examine alternatives to the use of existing Green Infrastructure. Any new walking and cycling trails within existing areas of Green Infrastructure will require environmental assessments to be carried out. Transport infrastructure (including walking and cycling trails) provides potential opportunities to act as new Green Infrastructure corridors. The benefits of Green Infrastructure include the following: • Attracting businesses and inward investment by creating an attractive environment; • Access nature, outdoor recreation and for social interaction; • Space for nature and wildlife to flourish; • Recreational, tourism and cultural roles; • Climate change adaptation - for example flood alleviation and cooling urban heat islands, • Forestry, crop production, agriculture and energy development; • Local food production - in allotments, gardens and through agriculture; • Provides green buffers /green wedges between built up areas; • Improves air quality; • Environmental education • Improves health and well-being; • Creating a sense of place and local distinctiveness • Encouraging physical activity and improved health and well-being by providing quality green spaces for walking and cycling and other physical activity. Policy It is the policy of the Council to: BI P12 Recognise the importance of Green Infrastructure in Kildare and protect this valued biological resource, the ecosystem services it provides and the contribution to climate resilience. Objectives It is an objective of the Council to: BI O64 Ensure the protection, enhancement and maintenance of Green Infrastructure in Kildare. BI O65 Support the development of a Regional Green Infrastructure Strategy and the identification, management, development and protection of strategic GI connections in co-operation with Kildare’s neighbouring counties and the Midland and Eastern Regional Assembly.424
- BI O66 Develop a strategy, to identify a series of greenbelt/green spaces (in addition to those identified in this CDP) to retain and protect between the growing settlements within Kildare during the lifetime of the Plan with particular attention to the undeveloped areas between Celbridge, Leixlip and Maynooth and to collaborate with South Dublin County Council, where appropriate. BI O67 Require that all Local Area Plans protect and manage the Green Infrastructure network in an integrated and coherent manner and add additional local Green Infrastructure corridors where possible. BI O68 Provide for the incorporation of underpasses and/or Green Bridges at ecologically sensitive locations on the county’s road and rail corridors (including those along disused railway corridors) that will facilitate the free movement of people and species through the urban and rural environment. BI O69 Promote a network of paths and cycle tracks to enhance accessibility to the Green Infrastructure network across the County, while ensuring that the design and operation of the routes respect, and where possible, enhance the ecological potential of each site. Actions It is an action of the Council to: BI A30 Complete the mapping of Green Infrastructure for each town and village in County Kildare and to develop specific policies and objectives for each town specifically by incorporating green infrastructure policies and objectives into the various Local Area Plans as they are being prepared. BI A31 Work with Bord Na Mona and other stakeholders to prepare a Green Infrastructure Masterplan that will inform the delineation of core areas, stepping stones and corridors (long distance peatways) as identified in Sections 12.14.6, 12.14.7 and 12.14.8, that may inform the designation of an interconnected Bog of Allen Nature Reserve, Special Amenity Area Order and/or National Peatlands Park. 12.14.5 Kildare County Council’s Green Infrastructure Strategy There are three key components to Kildare’s Green Infrastructure Strategy: 1. Core Areas: These are large geographical areas of influence and importance, for reasons of ecology, landscape, designation, heritage, environmental management and ecosystem services. 2. Stepping Stones: These are smaller geographical areas but either critically important because of their environmental quality (i.e., local native woodlands, intact bogs/peatlands, wetlands), local amenity value (i.e., urban parks) or because of their scale as undeveloped areas, such as Coillte forestry plantations. 3. Corridors: These are the connectors providing vital linkages in the networks, for example, canals, stream/river corridors and the associated riparian corridors or valleys, disused railway lines, etc.425
- 12.14.6 The Core Areas Lying within the centre of the County close to Kildare, Newbridge and Milltown lies the Curragh, Pollardstown Fen and Maud’s Bog – each of which are individually distinct, with their own unique habitats. To the south of the Curragh, lies both disused and operational sand and gravel pits with some distinctive environmental characteristics and on the edge of these sites site the Royal Site of Dun Ailinne – an impressive heritage and hilltop location with a large enclosed circular ditch; and south of this again is the Old Kilcullen Hill (heritage site). The sites are in relative proximity to each other, with just 1.5 kilometres separating the larger three sites from each other (the Curragh, Pollardstown and Mouds Bog). Collectively, these areas represent an important Core Area of the GI Strategy. Other Core Areas in or adjoining the plan boundary are identified in 12.14.6.4 and 12.14.6.5. 12.14.6.1 The Curragh The Curragh is a relatively flat open plain of almost 2,000 Hectares of common land situated between Newbridge and Kildare Town. The Curragh Aquifer is a very important aquifer that feeds the nearby Pollardstown Fen. The good drainage of sandy soil is noted for its open aspect, rare plant species and a history of horse training and sheep grazing. 12.14.6.2 Pollardstown Fen The Fen is a National Nature Reserve located approximately 3km west of Newbridge. It is the largest remaining calcerous spring-fed fen in Ireland, extending over 220 hectares a large proportion of which is State owned. It comprises important fen ecosystem with unique and endangered plant communities. 12.14.6.3 Mouds Bog Mouds Bog is an important and largely intact raised bog and Special Area of Conservation. 12.14.6.4 Poulaphouca Reservoir While only a small portion of the Blessington Lakes/Poulaphouca Reservoir lies within the Kildare County boundary, this is a part of a large Special Protection Area in County Wicklow and is fed by the River Liffey and the adjoining Wicklow Mountains. 12.14.6.5 Bog of Allen Bog of Allen this is a very extensive area that extends from Monasterevin, Rathangan, Allenwood and Prosperous in the south northwards to Johnstown Bridge, Moyvalley and Broadford in the north and it extends further west into County Offaly (south of Edenderry). Due to the intensive industrial scale turf cutting operations of Bord Na Mona over the past 70 years, the remnants of intact raised bog habitat throughout its former range has greatly diminished yet there are still a number of important areas such as Ballynafagh Bog (SAC), Ballynafagh Lake (SAC), Carbury Bog (NHA), Hodgestown Bog (NHA), Staplestown Bog (pNHA) and Ballina Bog (pNHA) in addition to a number of smaller ‘left over’ areas of prime bogland habitat. The area also includes426
- the Lullymore Heritage and Discovery Park, the Irish Peatland Conservation Council (which manages Lodge Bog, a Butterfly Reserve at Lullymore West and that Bog of Allen Nature Centre in Lullymore). Even where intensive scale peat extraction has occurred, many areas are characterised as wetlands, important in regulating water runoff and these and other areas have demonstrated a certain natural resilience and are naturally re-wilding and forming very important habitat in the form of species rich open areas or first generation woodland (scrub-woodland comprised of birch, sally, alder, buckthorn including purging buckthorn and pine) that are very rich in species diversity – wildflowers, moths, butterflies, insects, birdlife and mammals. In 2020, Bord Na Mona announced an end to peat extraction throughout its estate of some 86,878 hectares nationally and in line with Environmental Protection Agency measures it is required to prepare a plan for the permanent rehabilitation of the cutaway boglands within its licensed area. Rehabilitation may comprise of stabilisation of bogs, with natural colonisation with or without targeted management. Bord Na Mona has also embarked on a programme of Peatlands Enhanced Decommissioning, Rehabilitation and Restoration Scheme (also known as Peatlands Climate Action Scheme – PCAS) – supported by the Climate Action Fund, administered by the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC), while the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) will act as the Scheme regulator. To date, 6 bogs within County Kildare have been selected for the programme of Peatlands Enhanced Decommissioning, Rehabilitation and Restoration – including parts of Timahoe North, Timahoe South, Ummeras Bog, Lodge Bog, Ticknevin and Ballydermot Bog. The works planned will create large areas of new and semi-natural habitats, such as reed swamp, poor fen, wet woodland, heath, scrub and embryonic sphagnum rich raised bog peatland. While Bord Na Mona has clear intentions of developing extensive areas to meet government renewable targets – in the form of wind and solar farms - nonetheless, the Bog of Allen represents a unique opportunity for nature based solutions on a grand scale to address the national biodiversity crisis and climate change mitigation. Within the Bord Na Mona landownership complex there will be a need to develop a separate masterplan that will identify its own Core Areas, Stepping Stones and Connections/Corridors. This masterplan should, at a minimum, include the following ‘core areas’ with appropriate buffer zones of scale designed to protect their special interest and setting – one should centre around Lullymore Heritage Park, Lullybeg Wetlands, Butterfly Reserve, Lodge Bog – a second core area would focus on Ballynafagh Bog, Ballynafagh Lake and Hodgestown Bog; a third area would focus on Killinthomas Wood (Coillte owned), Ballydermot Bog East; a fourth would focus on Ummeras. Each of these would be connected either through the Grand Canal Greenway or the Barrow Blueway/Slate River and/or new and broad Peatway Corridors (the Connectors) and elsewhere there will be other ‘stepping stones’ in the form of key wetlands, intact raised bogs, woodlands, etc. A number of proposed long distance peatways that could connect the Royal Canal with the Grand Canal/Barrow Blueway are listed below in Section 12.14.8.8.427
- 12.14.6.6 Kilberry Bog Although this is an industrially harvested peatland, it is geographically more isolated than the Bog of Allen peatlands and has commenced a natural regeneration process. While other new uses like energy production may be sought on the site, it is important that a substantial are of the site is retained open, natural and free from development in the future (i.e., 50% or more). 12.14.6.7 Narraghmore Bog Similar to Kilberry Bog, this is a Bord Na Mona owned bog that is currently a Nature Reserve; given its smaller size and geographical isolation, it should be maintained free from development. 12.14.6.8 Ummeras Bog This area is proposed to form part of the National Peatlands Park, which is supported by the Council. 12.14.6.9 The Six Hills North of Kildare Town and east of Rathangan there are six distinctive elevated hill-top areas that provide panoramic views north across the Bog of Allen and southwards over the Curragh, Pollardstown Fen, Moud’s Bog and countryside beyond. These hills comprise of: • Crosspatrick Hill • The Hill of Allen • Boston Hill • Grange Hill • Dunmurray Hill, and • Red Hill. Given their close proximity and their elevated nature, there is an opportunity to link these areas as a Green Infrastructure Core Area, maintaining relatively free from development and ensuring any future development proposals are carefully considered and managed as with all areas identified as part of the overall GI network. 12.14.6.10 The River Barrow The River Barrow SAC is very large and is the most extensive SAC within County Kildare. The River Barrow is the 2nd longest river in Ireland, and this SAC extends over 192 km from the Slieve Bloom Mountains SPA/NHA through 5 counties to the Waterford Estuary SAC. It has significant migrations of a number of fish species between the marine and freshwater habitats and 23 separate habitats/species listed as qualifying interests. It is the only SAC within County Kildare that is specifically designated for salmon, lamprey species and otter.428
Source Kildare County Council: Kildare County Development Plan 2023–2029 — Chapter 12: Biodiversity and Green Infrastructure (2023–2029) · Licence the publisher's termsText read from the publisher’s PDF; tables, maps and drawings do not survive as text, and page numbers are the PDF’s (its first page is 1). Check the original before relying on a passage.