South Dublin County Development Plan 2022–2028 – Written Statement

1. Page 81

   Cite this pagePDF p. 81 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022-202878Core Strategy and Settlement Strategy (CS) CS11 SLO 1: To restrict development to low density, 1 or 2 storey residential in keeping with the existing character of the surrounding houses whilst having regard to airport restrictions.

2. Page 82

   Cite this pagePDF p. 82 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022-202879Core Strategy and Settlement Strategy (CS) 2.8 Climate Action Audit Climate Action Audit Source of Green House Gases (GHGs) Measure to Address Climate Impacts The potential sources of GHGs from development in the absence of a Core Strategy and Settlement Strategy for the plan principally arises from: à Development of greenfield edge of city / town sites to accommodate population and employment growth. à Uncoordinated development and public transport infrastructure provision. à Facilitating inefficient and mono-use land use in urban areas, à Increased distances between homes and jobs. à Locating development within or close to flood zones, SACs, SPAs and sensitive Ecological Corridors. à Increased impact on the wider environment and biodiversity through urban sprawl and increased land take. This Chapter of the Development Plan contains policies and objectives which promote measures that have the potential to reduce our negative climate impact in the following ways: à 99.9% of all population and housing growth will take place within or contiguous to the urban settlement boundary [1]; à 92% of population and 93% of housing growth will occur within and / or contiguous to the Dublin City and suburbs settlement boundary; à 71% of new housing and population growth is within the MASP strategic development areas; à The location of people and jobs in close proximity is promoted, especially when close to high-capacity public transport; à The development of brownfield sites / infill and regeneration is supported; à The Core Strategy and Settlement Strategy align with the Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy 2022-2042; à By promoting compact growth the Plan prevents urban sprawl and the resultant impact on the environment biodiversity, allowing for greater potential for nature based solutions to flooding and other ways of working with nature to the benefit of humans; à The Plan supports and incorporates the ecosystems approach to development. 1] Defined by Census 2016.

3. Page 83

   Cite this pagePDF p. 83 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   80Natural, Cultural and B uilt H eritage (NCBH)

4. Page 84

   Cite this pagePDF p. 84 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022-202881Natural, Cultural and Built Heritage (NCBH) Vision Protect and enhance the key natural, cultural and built heritage assets which have shaped South Dublin County and continue to create a sense of place and local distinctiveness, including our diverse landscapes, our varied flora and fauna, our historic buildings and streetscapes, and our rich archaeological history, for current and future generations to appreciate and enjoy. Natural, Cultural and Built Heritage

5. Page 85

   Cite this pagePDF p. 85 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022-202882Natural, Cultural and Built Heritage (NCBH)82 3.0 Introduction The term ‘heritage’ refers to everything that we have inherited from previous generations. This inheritance can be both tangible and intangible, and it is reflected in both our natural and in our built environments. Our tangible heritage includes our natural landscape with its rich diversity of habitats and species. It includes our built environment which is composed of every-day homes, streetscapes, agricultural and industrial buildings, and highly distinctive examples of ornate architecture. It also includes our rich archaeological history, reflected in both the visible above ground monuments and the below ground records. Heritage can also be intangible, or less obvious. This reflects our unique traditional customs, music, crafts, skills, oral history, local beliefs, myths and folklore. These are the human elements of our heritage which have built up over generations and which give us a sense of shared identity. These tangible and intangible aspects of our heritage are not separate entities. They are very closely inter-linked, and they work together to create our distinctive cultural heritage. As we interact with our natural, built, and historical heritage, we are shaping our view of the world. We create an identity, and we build a sense of place for ourselves and for future generations. Our cultural heritage assets are not static, however. Cultural heritage is a growing, ever-changing concept from generation to generation. Not everything can, or should be, preserved and what we retain, create, and build now will be our legacy for future generations, shaping their cultural identity. The changes that are likely as a result of biodiversity loss and climate change will also bring challenges to our heritage assets, potentially altering our landscapes and affecting the integrity of our built and our historic features. The challenge therefore is to manage the varied, inter-linking elements of our important cultural heritage resource in a truly sustainable manner, so that we can protect our heritage assets while promoting a quality of life and a sense of identity and pride in a vibrant, thriving County. 3.1 Heritage in South Dublin County The landscape and its natural resources have shaped the economic development and the cultural identity of South Dublin County. Since prehistoric times, the wide, flat, fertile, plain between the River Liffey to the north, and the hills of the Dublin Mountains to the south, offered many opportunities for settlement and agriculture. This is reflected today in the abundant archaeological heritage that is recorded from the low-lying plains to the tops of the Dublin Mountains, where a rich record of prehistoric tombs and other archaeological records point to the importance of this area in early cultures.

6. Page 86

   Cite this pagePDF p. 86 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022-202883Natural, Cultural and Built Heritage (NCBH) As communities developed around important ecclesiastical sites and key village centres, agriculture, trade, and industry blossomed. This brought a legacy of distinctive farm and estate architecture, ecclesiastical structures, industrial mills, streetscapes and residential buildings. Today these villages still hold strong cultural heritage identities and include Tallaght, Clondalkin, Lucan, Palmerstown, Templeogue, Rathfarnham, Saggart, Rathcoole, and Newcastle. The County’s underlying geology also contributed to the County’s economic and industrial development by providing ample supplies of sand and gravel for construction purposes. Alongside this industry, the County’s rivers provided the power for the numerous mills and other businesses that brought economic development to the County. The County’s rich built heritage assets contribute to our understanding and appreciation of the past and make a valuable contribution to the character and visual amenity of the County as well as to sustainability and climate action through their continued use and adaptation. It is therefore essential to review and safeguard for future generations the many and varied components of our built heritage including our protected structures, architectural conservation areas, country houses and estates and vernacular buildings. South Dublin County Council recognises the value of the County’s natural, built and cultural heritage, and is committed to ensuring that these assets continue to contribute to the future sustainable cultural and economic development of the County. A key challenge for the Development Plan is to balance the protection of these assets with the management of change, in a manner that enhances rather than diminishes both our tangible and our intangible heritage identity. The Council supports the implementation of the County Heritage Plan and the County Biodiversity Action Plan. These Plans, through partnership with a wide range of agencies, groups and individuals, aim to protect and promote the County’s heritage resources, so that they continue to contribute to the future sustainable development of the County. 3.2 Heritage and Climate Action Our natural and built heritage plays a vital role in the reduction and absorption of carbon and consequently has a significant positive climate impact. Natural landscapes, areas of high amenity, trees and hedgerows and wildlife habitats make a significant contribution to carbon sequestration. Boglands also play an important role in embedding carbon. The provision of greenways offers opportunities for active travel and a shift away from car-based transport. Similarly, the re-use, adaptation and upgrading of our older and historic building stock will support a move towards a low-carbon society. Together, these measures will assist South Dublin County in achieving its climate action targets.

7. Page 87

   Cite this pagePDF p. 87 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022-202884Natural, Cultural and Built Heritage (NCBH) Policy NCBH1: Overarching Protect, conserve and enhance the County’s natural, cultural and built heritage, supporting its sensitive integration into the development of the County for the benefit of present and future generations. NCBH1 Objective 1: To protect, conserve and enhance natural, cultural and built heritage features, seeking opportunities to identify, retain, protect, and incorporate heritage assets into plans and development. NCBH1 Objective 2: To support the objectives and actions of the County Heritage Plan and the County Biodiversity Action Plan in the promotion and protection of natural, built and cultural heritage, and to take full cognisance of the County’s Landscape Character Assessment and the County Geological Audit in the sustainable management of development. NCBH1 Objective 3: To carry out an audit and assessment, based on an initial pilot study of the County’s natural and built heritage assets including Council owned protected structures and archaeological features; to identify and safeguard these assets from the potential impacts of climate change; and to explore possible uses as part of climate change mitigation. 3.3 Natural Heritage The County’s natural heritage and biodiversity is of local, national and international importance. It provides the base layer and foundations upon which the built environment, transport network, and sustainable communities evolve. Consequently, protecting and conserving our biodiversity and landscapes is pivotal to the health, wellbeing and quality of life of all our citizens. The term ‘biodiversity’ is used to describe all the different types of life that makes up our environment, including plants (flora), animals (fauna), and micro-organisms which work together to create ecosystems which maintain balance and support life. The importance of natural heritage and biodiversity is apparent from the wide-ranging EU and statutory protections in place in addition to conventions signed up to by the State.

8. Page 88

   Cite this pagePDF p. 88 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022-202885Natural, Cultural and Built Heritage (NCBH) 3.3.1 Statutory Context and Planning Policy Guidance for Natural Heritage There is a significant amount of EU and national legislation and many plans, policies and guidelines governing the area of natural heritage. The key legislation relating to this section of natural heritage has been indicated in the objectives and text as it arises. Natural heritage is embedded in planning policy at national and regional levels through the National Planning Framework (NPF) and the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES). National Planning Framework, 2040 One of the aims of the National Planning Framework (NPF) is to protect, conserve and value our habitats, natural heritage and landscapes. It highlights the importance of the symbiotic relationships between natural heritage, cultural heritage, biodiversity and green infrastructure. The NPF includes National Policy Objectives (NPOs) relevant to the area of natural heritage including: à NPO 59 to ‘Enhance the conservation status and improve the management of protected areas and protected species’; and à NPO 60 to ‘Conserve and enhance the rich qualities of natural and cultural heritage of Ireland in a manner appropriate to their significance’. The Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy The RSES sets out Regional Strategic Outcomes which are aligned with International, EU and national policy and specifically identifies biodiversity and natural heritage as one of these outcomes. It recognises the need to conserve and enhance biodiversity through the protection of habitats and species and ensure the sustainable management of our natural resources, to promote climate resilience and support the transition to a low carbon economy by 2050. The RSES contains a number of Regional Policy Objectives (RPOs) which are particularly relevant to natural heritage and form the basis for a number of specific policies and objectives set out in this chapter: à RPO 7.15 states ‘Local authorities shall take opportunities to enhance biodiversity and amenities and to ensure the protection of environmentally sensitive sites and habitats, including where flood risk management measures are planned’; à RPO 7.16 states ‘Support the implementation of the Habitats Directives in achieving an improvement in the conservation status of protected species and habitats in the Region and to ensure alignment between the core objectives of the EU Birds and Habitats Directives and local authority development plans’; à RPO 7.17 states ‘Facilitate cross boundary co-ordination between local authorities and the relevant agencies in the Region to provide clear governance arrangements and coordination mechanisms to support the development of ecological networks and enhanced connectivity between protected sites whilst

9. Page 89

   Cite this pagePDF p. 89 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022-202886Natural, Cultural and Built Heritage (NCBH) also addressing the need for management of alien invasive species and the conservation of native species’. 3.3.2 Biodiversity South Dublin County has a rich biodiversity of flora and fauna, including insects, birds, fish and micro-organisms and their habitats in which they live and interact, such as grasslands, woodlands, streams, hedgerows, boglands, public parks and private gardens. All communities are part of nature and everything in nature is connected. Ireland is a signatory to the Convention of Biological Diversity and has developed its National Biodiversity Action Plan in line with EU and International Biodiversity strategies and policies. In 2019 the Dáil and South Dublin County Council separately declared a climate and biodiversity emergency. The EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 sets out measures to protect 30% of EU land and sea territory with 10% of this ‘strictly protected’ and sets out measures aimed to achieve this. The importance of biodiversity and landscape in Ireland is underpinned by National Strategic Outcome 7 ‘Enhanced Amenity and Heritage’ of the National Planning Framework and associated strategic investment priorities in the implementation of the National Biodiversity Action Plan (2017-2021). The 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan is due to be published in 2023. NPO 59 of the National Planning Framework and RPO 7.15 and 7.16 of the RSES reinforce the need to ensure protection and enhancement of environments and habitats. The role of biodiversity is further strengthened with the adoption of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan (2021-2025) providing for natural management measures to protect native species. Policy NCBH2: Biodiversity Protect, conserve, and enhance the County’s biodiversity and ecological connectivity having regard to national and EU legislation and Strategies. NCBH2 Objective 1: To support the implementation of the National Biodiversity Action Plan (2017- 2021) and the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan (2021-2025) and to support the adoption and implementation of the South Dublin County Biodiversity Action Plan (2020-2026) and Pollinator Action Plan (2021-2025) and any superseding plans. NCBH2 Objective 2: To ensure the protection of designated sites in compliance with relevant EU Directives and applicable national legislation. NCBH2 Objective 3: To protect and conserve the natural heritage of the County, and to conserve and manage EU and nationally designated sites and non-designated locally important areas which act as ‘stepping stones’ for the purposes of green infrastructure and Article 10 of the Habitats Directive.

10. Page 90

    Cite this pagePDF p. 90 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
    SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022-202887Natural, Cultural and Built Heritage (NCBH) NCBH2 Objective 4: To protect our rivers and in particular to avoid overdevelopment which could have an adverse effect on the biodiversity and ecosystems of the river. 3.3.3 Designated Areas for Nature Protection and Conservation South Dublin County has a rich and varied natural heritage that includes a number of unique habitats, areas of natural interest and species that are designated for conservation under national and European legislation. Protected sites located within the County under European legislation include Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) under the Habitats Directive and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) under the Birds Directive, known collectively as Natura 2000 sites. The Wildlife Acts underpin nature conservation and biodiversity in Ireland and provide for Natural Heritage Areas and proposed Natural Heritage Areas (pNHAs). These areas host a rich variety of rare, protected and vulnerable habitats and species and areas of geological interest. Wildlife networks and areas located outside of protected sites can also host a diverse and rich variety of rare, protected and vulnerable habitats and species. Natura 2000 Sites Directive 92 / 43 / EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (the Habitats Directive) and Directive 2009 / 147 / EC on the conservation of wild birds (the Birds Directive) underpin biodiversity and nature conservation at a European level. Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) under the Habitats and Birds Directives are known as ‘European Sites’ and collectively form part of a Natura 2000 network of protected areas across Europe. The main aim of the Habitats Directive is to achieve and maintain favourable conservation status for habitats and species that are considered to be at risk. The Habitats Directive has been transposed into Irish law through the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations, 2011. SACs are designated areas for habitats listed in Annex I and for species listed in Annex II of the EU Habitats Directive. SPAs are designated areas for wild birds listed in Annex I of the EU Birds Directive. These areas are legally protected under the Habitats Directive and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations, 2011 and are therefore afforded European and National protection. It is a requirement under the Planning and Development Act, 2000 (as amended) for a Development Plan to include objectives for the conservation and protection of Natura 2000 and other sites. Development within the County has the potential to impact on the integrity of European Sites located both within and outside of the County, including those located in the Wicklow Mountains and Dublin Bay. A Planning Authority must have regard to any European Site when making a decision in relation to any plans or projects. In accordance with Appropriate Assessment of Plans and projects in Ireland, Guidance for Planning Authorities (2009), any plans or

Source South Dublin County Council: South Dublin County Development Plan 2022–2028 – Written Statement (2022–2028) · 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.