Kildare County Development Plan 2023–2029 — Chapter 13: Landscape, Recreation and Amenity

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   Aim: To provide for the protection, management, and enhancement of the landscape of Kildare to ensure that development does not disproportionately impact on the unique landscape character areas, scenic routes or protected views; and to support the provision of high quality and accessible recreational facilities, amenities and open spaces for residents and visitors to the County, in recognition of the contribution of all forms of recreation to quality of life, personal health and wellbeing. Chapter 13 Landscape, Recreation and Amenity 13.1 Introduction Landscape embraces all that is visible when one looks across an area of land. As well as being an important part of people’s lives, giving individuals a sense of identity and belonging, landscape is the context in which all changes take place. The landscape of County Kildare comprises a central plain bound to the east by the Kildare uplands, which lie at the foothills of the Wicklow and Dublin Mountains. The Curragh, the boglands of north-west Kildare and the fertile lowlands of the south all comprise part of the central plain. The plain lands are interrupted by two groups of isolated hills, the Chair of Kildare and the Newtown Hills. The location of these hills within the central plain has a considerable impact on the landscape of Kildare. Inland waters comprise the River Liffey, River Barrow, River Slate, River Boyne, Royal Canal, Grand Canal and Rye Water River traverse the county, providing important landscape features. The natural diversity of the landscape, coupled with human interaction in the form of introduced features such as hedgerows, woodlands, archaeological monuments, settlements and buildings, all serve to give Kildare its distinctive characteristic landscape. All development which takes place has the ability to impact on this landscape, positively and negatively. Any new development or building has the ability to either enhance or detract from the environment. It is essential therefore that the landscape is protected and managed in a sustainable and coherent manner. 13.2 Policy Context 13.2.1 Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) The importance of landscape and visual amenity and the role of planning in its protection are recognised in the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). This requires that development plans include objectives for the preservation of landscape, views and prospects and the amenities of places and features of natural beauty. It also provides for the designation of Landscape Conservation Areas (LCA), Areas of Special Amenity (ASA) and the assessment of landscape character.440

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   13.2.2 National Landscape Strategy of Ireland (2015-2025) In 2015, the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government issued ‘A National Landscape Strategy (2015-2025)’, which states that: “Landscape Character Assessments will be prepared at local and intra-local authority level, building on the National Landscape Character Assessment, using Landscape Character Assessment Guidelines. These regional and local landscape character assessments will inform and guide landscape policy, action plans and local authority development plans.” The Council will undertake a review of its Landscape Character Assessment on foot of any actions arising from the forthcoming National Landscape Character Assessment. 13.2.3 National Outdoor Recreation Strategy A National Outdoor Recreation Strategy is currently being developed by Comhairle na Tuaithe (The Countryside Council) in conjunction with the Department of Rural and Community Development. The strategy will provide a vision and an overarching framework for the growth and development of outdoor recreation in Ireland, creating a shared approach for the many strategies, programmes, agencies and elements in Ireland’s outdoor recreation sector. 13.2.4 National Play Policy ‘Ready, Steady, Play, Department of Health and Children (2004)’ The Council acknowledges the overarching role of the National Play Policy and supports the following objectives contained therein: • To improve the quality and safety of playgrounds and play areas; • To ensure that children’s play needs are met through the development of a childfriendly environment; • To give children a voice in the design and implementation of play policies and facilities; and • To maximise the range of public play opportunities available to all children, particularly children who are marginalised, disadvantaged or who have a disability. The Council acknowledges the Ready, Steady, Play: National Play Policy (2004) and the TeenSpace: National Recreation Policy for Young People of the Department of Health and Children and the objectives identified therein. 13.2.5 TeenSpace - The National Recreation Policy for Young People (2007) The TeenSpace - The National Recreation Policy for Young People (2007) seeks to address the recreational needs of young people between the ages of 12 and 18. The policy’s core objectives are to: • Give young people a voice in the design, implementation and monitoring of recreation policies and facilities; • Promote organised activities for young people and examine ways to motivate them to be involved; • Ensure that recreational needs of young people are met through the development of youth friendly and safe environments;441

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   • Maximise the range of recreational opportunities available for young people who are marginalised, disadvantaged or have a disability; • Promote relevant qualifications /standards in the provision of recreational activities; • Develop a partnership approach in developing and funding recreational opportunities across statutory community and voluntary sectors; and • Improve information on recreational provision for young people in Ireland, including evaluation and monitoring. 13.3 Landscape Character Assessment In 2004, a Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) of the county was undertaken. The LCA focused on characterisation i.e. the discernment of the character of the landscape based on its land cover and landform, but also on its values, such as historical, cultural, religious and other understandings of the landscape. It concentrates on the distinctiveness of different landscapes and on the sensitivity of that landscape to development. Map V1 - 13.1 outlines the indicative Landscape Character Areas of the county. Landscape Character Areas are areas that generally share the same characteristics. Minor or very small distinctive features that arise from localised topographic circumstances are outcrops, rivers, bogs, fens which are mapped [see Map V1 - 13.1] as Subordinate Landscape Areas. Table 13.1 indicates the dominant sensitivity of each Landscape Character Area. It is important to note that within each of these areas there can be a wide variety of local conditions that can significantly increase or decrease sensitivity. Notwithstanding this, it is possible to identify a dominant sensitivity within each area – as highlighted in Table 13.1. This is determined by examining the presence/absence or dominance of sensitivity factors within each area by using landscape sensitivity. The resulting classification is then used to produce an evidenced–based Landscape Sensitivity Map [see Map V1 - 13.2].442

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   Ordnance Survey Ireland data reproduced under OSi Licence number 2022/CCMA/KildareCountyCouncil. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Ordnance Survey Ireland and Government of Ireland copyright. Landscape Character Areas Stage This drawing is to be read in conjunction with the written statement Date Description Kildare County Boundary Landscape Character Areas Mouds Bog Central Undulating Lands Dún Ailinne Chair of Kildare Eastern Transition Eastern Uplands North-western Lowlands Northern Hills Northern Lowlands Pollardstown Fen River Barrow River Liffey South-eastern Uplands Southern Lowlands The Curragh Western Boglands Legend Scale: N.T.S. County Development Plan 2023-2029 Map Ref: V1-13.1 Drawn By: M O'Loughlin Date 28/01/2023 County Development Plan 28/01/2023 Drawing No.: 200/22/1354Date: January 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 28/01/2023443

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   13.3.1 Landscape Sensitivity Based on the findings of the Landscape Character Assessment a landscape sensitivity rating was developed for each of the Landscape Character Areas. Landscape sensitivity is a measure of the ability of the landscape to accommodate change or intervention without suffering unacceptable effects to its character and values. It is determined using the following factors: slope, ridgeline, water bodies, land use and prior development. The Landscape Character Areas have been mapped according to their landscape sensitivity (Tables 13.1, 13.2 and Map V1 - 13.2 refer). Sensitivity of Principal Landscape Character Assessment (Dominant Sensitivity Outlined) Class 1 Low Sensitivity Class 2 Medium Sensitivity Class 3 High Sensitivity Class 4 Special Sensitivity Class 5 Unique Sensitivity North Western Lowlands Class 1 Northern Lowlands Class 1 Central Undulating Lands Class 1 Western Boglands Class 3 Southern Lowlands Class 1 Eastern Transition Class 2 Eastern Uplands Class 3 South-Eastern Uplands Class 2 Sub-ordinate Landscape Areas Northern Hills Class 4 Chair of Kildare Class 4 The Curragh Class 5 Pollardstown Fen Class 5 Dun Ailinne Class 5 Allen Bog Class 4 River Liffey Class 4 River Barrow Class 4 Table 13.1 - Landscape Sensitivity Classification to Landscape Character Areas444

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   Sensitivity Landscape Character Area Location Description Class 1 Low Sensitivity North-Western Lowlands Northern Lowlands Central Undulating Lands Southern Lowlands Areas with the capacity to generally accommodate a wide range of uses without significant adverse effects on the appearance or character of the area. Class 2 Medium Sensitivity Eastern Transition Lands South- Eastern Uplands Areas with the capacity to accommodate a range of uses without significant adverse effects on the appearance or character of the landscape having regards to localized sensitivity factors. Class 3 High Sensitivity Western Boglands Eastern Uplands Areas with reduced capacity to accommodate uses without significant adverse effects on the appearance or character of the landscape having regard to prevalent sensitivity factors. Class 4 Special Chair of Kildare Northern Hills River Liffey River Barrow Mouds Bog Significant adverse effects on the appearance or character of the landscape having regard to prevalent sensitivity factors. Class 5 Unique The Curragh Pollardstown Fen Dun Ailinne Areas with low capacity to accommodate uses without significant adverse effects on the appearance or character of the landscape having regard to special sensitivity factors. Table 13.2 - Landscape Sensitivity Classification to Landscape Character Areas445

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   Landscape Sensitivity Areas 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: V1-13.2 County Development Plan 2023-2029 Drawing No.: 200/22/1356 Drawn By: M O'Loughlin Date 28/01/2023 County Development Plan 28/01/2023 Date: January 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 Legend Areas of Sensitivity Class 5 - Unique Class 4 - Special Class 3 - High Sensitivity Class 2 - Medium Sensitivity Class 1 - Low Sensitivity Kildare County Boundary River Barrow and Liffey Ridgelines Mixed Forest Broad Leaved Forest Natural Grassland Agri Land with Natural Vegetation Peat Bogs Water Bodies NHA pNHA SAC SPA Scenic Routes Scenic Viewpoints Hilltop Views Legend - Sensitivity Factors446

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   13.3.2 Impact of Development on Landscape In order to determine the likely perceived impact of a particular development on the landscape, the potential impact of the development must be viewed having regard to the sensitivity of the area. Table 13.3 below provides guidance on the likely compatibility between a range of land-use classes and the principal landscape areas of the county classified by sensitivity. Table 13.4 identifies the likely compatibility between a range of land-uses and proximity of less than 300m to the principal Landscape Sensitivity Factors. It should be noted that all developments are unique and at micro / local level, landscapes vary in terms of their ability to absorb development and each site should be assessed on its individual merits. Compatibility Key Sensitivity Class Agriculture and Forestry Housing Urbanisation Infrastructure Extraction Energy Most High Medium Low Least Principal Landscape Character Areas Agriculture Forestry Rural Housing Urban Expansion Industrial Projects Tourism Projects Major Powerlines * Sand & Gravel Rock Windfarm Solar North Western Lowlands 1 Northern Lowlands 1 Southern Lowlands 1 Central Undulating Lands 1 Western Boglands 3 Eastern Transition 2 Eastern Uplands 3 South-Eastern Uplands 2 Sub-ordinate Landscape Areas Northern Hills 4 Chair of Kildare 4 The Curragh 5 Pollardstown Fen 5 Allen Bog 4 River Liffey 4 River Barrow 4 Dun Ailinne 5 Table 13.3 - Likely compatibility between a range of land-uses and Principal Landscape Areas.447

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    5 - Likely to be very compatible in most circumstances. Agriculture and Forestry Housing Urbanisation infrastructure Extraction Energy 4 - Likely to be compatible with reasonable care. 3 - Likely to be compatible with great care. 2 - Compatible only in certain circumstances. 1 - Compatible only in exceptional circumstances. 0 - Very unlikely to be compatible. Proximity within 300m of Principal Landscape Sensitivity Factors. Agriculture Forestry Rural Housing Urban Expansion Industrial Projects Tourism Projects Major Powerlines Sand and Gravel Rock Windfarm Solar Major Rivers and Water bodies 5 5 2 2 2 3 2 1 0 1 0 Canals 5 5 2 2 2 3 2 1 0 1 1 Ridgelines 5 5 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 2 0 Green Urban Areas 4 5 2 0 0 4 3 3 3 2 2 Broad-Leaved Forestry 3 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 3 1 2 Mixed Forestry 3 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 3 1 2 Natural Grasslands 5 2 2 1 1 4 2 1 1 2 2 Moors and Heathlands 2 2 1 0 0 1 2 1 0 2 1 Agricultural Land with Natural Vegetation 5 5 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 4 2 Peat Bogs 0 0 0 0 0 3 2 0 0 2 1 Scenic View 5 5 2 1 1 5 1 3 0 0 2 Scenic Route 5 5 2 1 1 5 1 3 0 0 2 Table 13.4 - Likely compatibility between a range of land-uses and proximity to Principal Landscape Sensitivity Factors. Policy It is the policy of the Council to: LR P1 Protect and enhance the county’s landscape, by ensuring that development retains, protects and, where necessary, enhances the appearance and character of the existing local landscape.448

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