Kildare County Development Plan 2023–2029 — Chapter 12: Biodiversity and Green Infrastructure

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   12.14.7 Nodes/Stepping Stones: The key nodes in the County include the following features: • Wetlands • NHAs, pNHAs, SPAs and SACs outside of the ‘Core Areas’ (above) • All native and mixed woodlands, such as those in State/Coillte ownerships (such as Donadea Wood, Mullaghreelan, Moore Abbey, etc.); • Protected demesne landscapes such as Carton and Castletown House and attendant demesnes – including the avenues/vistas towards the Wonderful Barn and the Conolly Folly, Obelisk. • Coillte Forestry Areas (commercial plantations); • Larger public parks (existing and proposed), such as St. Catherine’s Park, Kerdiffstown Park, Sallins Amenity Park, and Oldtown Demense/DeBurgh’s. • Racecourses (such as Punchestown, the Curragh and Naas); and • Disused and abandoned quarry pits where re-wilding and natural regeneration has occurred or may form part of a remediation plan in line with this plan. 12.14.8 The Corridors (Connections) 12.14.8.1 The River Liffey Corridor The River Liffey Corridor enters Kildare County Council via the Poulaphouca Reservoir (a designated Special Protection Area – a core area just outside the plan area in County Wicklow) – it runs eastwards to Ballymore Eustace and into Kilcullen, before meandering northwest into Newbridge and from there it heads northeast immediately west of Sallins, north to Clane and northeast through Straffan, Celbridge and Leixlip and into Dublin City. It serves 8 towns and villages in the County. 12.14.8.2 The River Barrow Corridor The Slate and Figile Rivers start in County Kildare and join in County Offaly to form the Barrow River which flows along the eastern County boundary through Monasterevin, Athy and south to Carlow eventually leading joining the Nore River north of New Ross. 12.14.8.3 The Grand Canal The Grand Canal runs southwest from Dublin City (South) to Sallins, where it splits with its main line heading westwards to Edenderry and beyond and a second arm that runs from Sallins south to Naas and ending at Corbally Harbour (approx. 8km south of Naas). From Robertstown the Grand Canal splits again with another southern arm that runs from Lowtown (Robertstown) south to Rathangan and Monasterevin where it links up with the Barrow waterways. 12.14.8.4 The Royal Canal The Royal Canal runs from Dublin (North) westwards serving Leixlip, Maynooth and Kilcock and continues to Mullingar and Longford.429

2. Page 52

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   12.14.8.5 The Lyreen & Rye Rivers The Lyreen River in the north of the County flows through Maynooth and joins the Rye River that commences east of Kilcock and runs east to Leixlip before joining the River Liffey. 12.14.8.6 The Blackwater This river commences c. 9 kilometres south of Enfield and runs north towards Longwood and feeds the River Boyne. 12.14.8.7 The Morel River This river commences near Punchestown and runs east of Naas and Kerdiffstown and north to join the River Liffey just south of Straffan. For the Rivers Liffey and Barrow, the GI River Corridor should, generally, be kept free from development (unless it is a proposal of significant public benefit in terms of utilities or recreational amenities) and as such a minimum set-back is proposed of 250m for any future development proposal (or greater if the areas are within a recognised floodplain/OPW CFRAMs Maps) for areas outside of zoned areas. For the other river and canal corridors, the GI River Corridor should, generally, be kept free from development (unless it is a proposal of significant public benefit in terms of utilities or recreational amenities, or an appropriate tourism initiative as determined by the Planning Authority) and as such a minimum set-back is proposed of 50m for any future development proposal (or greater if the areas is within a recognised floodplain/OPW CFRAMs Maps) for areas outside of zoned areas. 12.14.8.8 Peatways As part of the Green Infrastructure Strategy, it is proposed to provide a number of ‘Peatway Corridors’ that would seek to maintain some degree of connectivity and continuity throughout the Bog of Allen and would seek to connect natural areas of raised bog with naturally regenerating areas and in so doing it would provide for long distance amenity and recreation routes with very significant tourism potential. A number of routes have been selected – based on the route of Bord Na Mona private roads, but mostly on the former industrial railway lines that criss-cross the Bog of Allen but with the intention of establishing broader Countywide Green Infrastructure links to connect the Royal Canal with the Grand Canal. Rather than just developing a singular ‘peatway trail’ for walkers, it is envisaged that these would be substantial landscape corridors of c. 1 - 2 kilometres wide (i.e. 500m - 1000m either side of the railway or pedestrian trail), that will provide connections for amenity, ecology/ecosystem services. The Peatway Trails and Corridors will provide a strategically planned network of natural and semi-natural areas (bogs and rewilded areas) with other environmental features (such as re-wetted peatlands, wetlands, lakes and ponds) designed and managed to deliver a wide range of ecosystem services such as air quality, space for recreation and climate mitigation and adaptation. They will also provide important wildlife corridors and will be free for energy infrastructure such as solar farms and wind turbines.430

3. Page 53

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   There are three primary Peatway Corridors proposed: 1. From Rathangan Town/Killinthomas Wood north to Ticknevin (where it will meet the Grand Canal Corridor) – with an option for a link to Edenderry via the Derries (subject to co-operation and consideration with Offaly County Council). 2. From Rathangan/Killinthomas to Lullymore (linking the Grand Canal Corridor) and from there to Allenwood North (Allenwood Community Development Association Ltd.) and continuing north via Timahoe Bog (Timahoe West) and onto the townland of Doogary/Cooltree a few kilometres south of Johnstown Bridge/Enfield and the Royal Canal Greenway. 3. From Edenderry to Carbury Bog following the path of the former disused railway line and from there north to Martinstown/Blackwater Aquaduct on the Royal Canal Greenway. 12.14.8.9 The East Kildare Uplands Corridor This corridor builds on the South Dublin County Council corridor (refer to the South Dublin County Development Plan 2022-28) that runs south to Saggart Hill (close to the Kildare County border) and continues it southwards to Blessington and the Poulaphouca Reservoir – following the ridge line that generally divides parts of Kildare to the west and Wicklow to the east. It includes some of the most elevated areas of the County with significant views over the plains of Kildare to the west and views of the Wicklow Mountains and Poulaphouca Reservoir to the east. This proposed GI Corridor includes, for example Cupidstown Hill - Kildare’s highest point, Rathbane, Caureen (public right of way along the ridge line) and leads southwards to incorporate the Red Bog SAC (including ponds – a wildlife hotspot) and links up with the Glending Wood/Deerpark (County Wicklow). Subject to the cooperation of Wicklow County Council, the GI Corridor could then follow the local stream and associated ponds that run to the east of Blessington, through Kilmalum (Kildare) before entering Poulaphouca Reservoir (SPA). From Glending Wood, the corridor so is proposed to run through the elevated townlands of Newtown Park, Slieveroe, Glenmore, Carrigeen, Russborough Demense and reconnecting again with Poulaphouca Reservoir. In addition to the features highlighted above, this GI Corridor includes a number of woodland and commercial forestry areas as well as a significant number of active and disused quarries, where after use activity should promote uses compatible with Green Infrastructure Strategy. 12.14.8.10 Disused Tullow Railway Line This corridor extends from south of Naas to Grangebeg/Tober Lower just north of Dunlavin (County Wicklow).431

4. Page 54

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   Green Infrastructure Concept Map Stage This drawing is to be read in conjunction with the written statement Date Description Scale: N.T.S. Ordnance Survey Ireland data reproduced under OSi Licence number CYAL50250173 © Ordnance Survey Ireland/Government of Ireland/Kildare County Council Map Ref: V1-12.3 Drawing No.: 200/22/1357 County_Boundary Core Areas Stepping Stones Green Corridors Peatways Blueways / Greenways Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) Special Protection Areas (SPA) Proposed Natural Heritage Areas (pNHA) Natural Heritage Areas (NHA) Legend County Development Plan 2023-2029 Drawn By: M O'Loughlin Date 28/01/2023 County Development Plan 28/01/2023 Date the Plan comes into effect Checked By: L Crawford Date 28/01/2023 County Development Plan 09/12/2022 Plan adopted by Elected Members Approved By: C O'Donnell Date 28/01/2023 Date: January 2023432

5. Page 55

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   County Development Plan 2023-2029 Green Infrastructure Kildare North Stage Drawn By: M O'Loughlin Date 21/01/2023 This drawing is to be read in conjunction with the written statement Date Description County Development Plan 28/01/2023 Scale: N.T.S. Ordnance Survey Ireland data reproduced under OSi Licence number CYAL50250173 © Ordnance Survey Ireland/Government of Ireland/Kildare County Council Date the Plan comes into effect Checked By: L Crawford Date 21/01/2023 Map Ref: V1-12.4 Date: January 2023County Development Plan 09/12/2022 County Boundary Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) Natural Heritage Area (NHA) Proposed Natural Heritage Area (pNHA) Special Protection Areas (SPAs) Bryophytes Location (NPWS) National Survey of Native Woodlands (NPWS) Ancient Long Established Woodland (NPWS) Commonage Areas (NPWS) Equine Sites Coillte Woodland Kildare County Council Parks Castletown House OPW Peat Bogs / Wetlands Quarries (active and disused) NIAH Survey of Historic Gardens and Designed Landscapes Bord na Móna Rail Network Important Hills Tree Preservation Orders River Buffer Areas Canal River Lake Legend Plan adopted by Elected Members Drawing No.: 200/22/1357 Approved By: C O'Donnell Date 21/01/2023433

6. Page 56

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   Green Infrastructure Kildare Middle Stage This drawing is to be read in conjunction with the written statement Date Description Scale: N.T.S. Ordnance Survey Ireland data reproduced under OSi Licence number CYAL50250173 © Ordnance Survey Ireland/Government of Ireland/Kildare County Council Map Ref: V1-12.5 County Boundary Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) Natural Heritage Area (NHA) Proposed Natural Heritage Area (pNHA) Special Protection Areas (SPAs) Bryophytes Location (NPWS) National Survey of Native Woodlands (NPWS) Ancient Long Established Woodland (NPWS) Commonage Areas (NPWS) Equine Sites Coillte Woodland Kildare County Council Parks Castletown House OPW Peat Bogs / Wetlands Quarries (active and disused) NIAH Survey of Historic Gardens and Designed Landscapes Bord na Móna Rail Network Important Hills Tree Preservation Orders River Buffer Areas Canal River Lake Legend County Development Plan 2023-2029 Drawn By: M O'Loughlin Date 28/01/2023 County Development Plan 28/01/2023 Date the Plan comes into effect Checked By: L Crawford Date 28/01/2023 Date: January 2023County Development Plan 09/12/2022 Plan adopted by Elected Members Drawing No.: 200/22/1357 Approved By: C O'Donnell Date 28/01/2023434

7. Page 57

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   Green Infrastructure Kildare South Stage This drawing is to be read in conjunction with the written statement Date Description Scale: N.T.S. Ordnance Survey Ireland data reproduced under OSi Licence number CYAL50250173 © Ordnance Survey Ireland/Government of Ireland/Kildare County Council Map Ref: V1-12.6 County Boundary Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) Natural Heritage Area (NHA) Proposed Natural Heritage Area (pNHA) Special Protection Areas (SPAs) Bryophytes Location (NPWS) National Survey of Native Woodlands (NPWS) Ancient Long Established Woodland (NPWS) Commonage Areas (NPWS) Equine Sites Coillte Woodland Kildare County Council Parks Castletown House OPW Peat Bogs / Wetlands Quarries (active and disused) NIAH Survey of Historic Gardens and Designed Landscapes Bord na Móna Rail Network Important Hills Tree Preservation Orders River Buffer Areas Canal River Lake Legend County Development Plan 2023-2029 Drawn By: M O'Loughlin Date 21/01/2023 County Development Plan 28/01/2023 Date the Plan comes into effect Checked By: L Crawford Date 21/01/2023 Date: January 2023County Development Plan 09/12/2022 Plan adopted by Elected Members Drawing No.: 200/22/1357 Approved By: C O'Donnell Date 21/01/2023435

8. Page 58

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   12.14.9 Urban Green Infrastructure Green Infrastructure within urban areas provides valuable connections from the urban centres to the wider countryside thereby strengthening the Green Infrastructure Network. Urban Green Infrastructure potentially includes residential gardens, the parkland settings of enterprise parks and employment areas, street verges, open spaces and parks, woodlands, hedgerows, cemeteries and allotments. All of these areas collectively contribute to a strengthened Green Infrastructure network and to the benefits afforded to urban areas such as the greening of our urban areas, the creation of attractive open spaces, providing local distinctiveness and better health and human well-being. Biophilia is that innate love and genetically determined affinity of human beings with the natural world. The biophilia hypothesis proposes that we long for nature and without connecting to it, our health would suffer. Biophilic design is an applied solution to appease this desire for nature by integrating natural elements and processes into the built environment. Policy It is the policy of the Council to: BI P13 Recognise the importance of Urban Green Infrastructure in addressing a broad range of urban challenges, such as connecting people with nature, adapting to climate change, supporting the green economy and improving social cohesion and to seek to protect and enhance this resource, particularly existing semi-natural areas, or habitats (such as hedgerows, canals, rivers, ponds). Objectives It is an objective of the Council to: BI O70 Ensure that the Green Infrastructure Strategy and Network identified in this County Development Plan and Local Area Plans is used to inform the development management process to ensure that new residential areas, business/ industrial development tourism and other relevant projects contribute towards the conservation and protection of Kildare’s habitats and species, and the protection, management and enhancement of the existing Green Infrastructure in terms of design, layout and landscaping. BI O71 Identify existing Green Infrastructure at the initial stages of the planning process and to use this information to guide the overall design of an appropriate site layout which is reflected in the developments landscaping plan. The landscaping plan submitted with an application should clearly illustrate how existing Green Infrastructure, and opportunities to create more linkages, have informed and been incorporated into the development, layout and, if appropriate, management proposals BI O72 Ensure that the design of new development does not cause fragmentation of the Green Infrastructure network. BI O73 Encourage the use and incorporation of Biophilic design into all new development schemes, increasing proximity of and/or views to nature, landscape and landscape features, in the interests of public health.436

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   12.14.10 Green Infrastructure within Public Open Spaces and Parks Local networks of high quality, well managed and maintained open spaces, sports and recreational facilities help to enhance the urban environment, contribute to a highquality living environment and strengthen the Green Infrastructure network in the county. These areas provide habitats for ecological processes, a focal point for active and passive recreation, promote community interaction and help mitigate the impacts of climate change. The Kildare Open Space Strategy was prepared to inform this Plan and has identified a hierarchy of open space within the county (See Chapter 13 and Appendix 3). Policy It is the policy of the Council to: BI P14 Protect and enhance the Green Infrastructure network throughout the county Objectives It is an objective of the Council to: BI O74 Strengthen ecological networks between urban areas to create greater linkages to Natura 2000 sites, proposed Natural Heritage Areas, parks and open spaces and the wider regional Green Infrastructure network. BI O75 Require multifunctional open space provision within all new developments; this includes provision for ecology and sustainable water management. 12.14.11 Green Infrastructure and Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) drain surface water in an environmentally friendly way by replicating natural systems in managed environments. SuDS systems seek to collect, store and release surface water back to the environment using natural systems in a slow and controlled way, thereby reducing the risk of fluvial and pluvial flooding. SuDS represents a critical move away from the conventional practice of piping all surface water directly to the nearest watercourse or river towards an approach where water is either infiltrated or conveyed more slowly to water courses via constructed wetlands, permeable surfaces, filter strips, ponds, swales and basins, all of which contribute to more environmentally friendly and aesthetically pleasing methods of controlling surface water. A Nature Based solutions approach to SuDS (or Natural Water Retention Measures) has come more into prominence, in response to the water, climate and biodiversity crisis. The benefits of taking a nature-based approach includes not just flood risk management benefits, but also improved water quality (e.g. can filter out >80% heavy metal pollutants), biodiversity (e.g., provide habitat for range of species) and Climate adaptation and mitigation (resilience, micro-climate cooling, carbon sequestration, etc.). Nature-based solutions are critical in climate change adaptation; they can play an important role not only for biodiversity and ecosystems, flood prevention and carbon437

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    sequestration, but also in temperature regulation, water quality, erosion prevention, and filtering pollutants from the air and water. Nature-based solutions are used in a smart, ‘engineered’ way to provide sustainable, cost-effective, and adaptable measures that support climate resilience. Kildare County Councils Climate Change Adaptation Strategy 2019-2024; Climate Resilient Kildare identifies a number of objectives and actions for which green infrastructure and nature-based solutions have a role to play. This includes the incorporation of green infrastructure, including urban greening into the design, planning and construction of roads, community, and public realm projects, and as a mechanism to promote biodiversity, reduce habitat fragmentation, and for carbon offset. Policy It is the policy of the Council to: BI P15 Promote and support the development of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) to ensure surface water is drained in an environmentally friendly way by replicating natural systems. Objectives It is an objective of the Council to: BI O76 Promote and support the development of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) such as integrated constructed wetlands, permeable surfaces, filter strips, ponds, swales and basins at a site, district and county level and to maximise the amenity and bio-diversity value of these systems. BI O77 Integrate nature-based solutions and climate change considerations into the design, planning, and implementation of infrastructure provision/ works and development proposals at the earliest possible stage of the design process. BI O78 Actively promote and encourage nature-based approaches and green infrastructure solutions as viable mitigation and adaptation measures to surface water management. BI O79 Promote the provision of Green Roofs and/ or Living Walls in developments where expansive roofs are proposed. Action It is an action of the Council to: BI A32 Showcase good examples of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) which maximise amenity and biodiversity through the use of systems such as (but not limited to) swales, rain gardens as part of local authority developments.438

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.