Development plan · South Dublin County Council
South Dublin County Development Plan 2022–2028 – Written Statement
The council's development plan written statement: its strategy, policies, objectives and development standards. Variations adopted since are not in this text.
South Dublin County Council · 2022–2028 · 584 pages
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- SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022-202888Natural, Cultural and Built Heritage (NCBH) projects that are likely to have a significant effect on a Natura 2000 site, either individually or in combination with other plans or projects, are subject to a screening for Appropriate Assessment unless they are directly connected with or necessary to the management of a Natura 2000 site. Where it has been determined that Appropriate Assessment is necessary then a full Natura Impact Statement or Stage 2 Appropriate Assessment is required. Permission for a development can only be granted where the Council is satisfied that the proposal would not adversely affect the integrity of a Natura 2000 site unless it has been determined that there are among other things, imperative reasons of overriding public interest (IROPI), subject to the requirements of Article 6(4) of the Habitats Directive. (See also Chapter 12: Implementation and Monitoring). The boundaries of protected areas may change and / or new sites may be proposed for designation during the lifetime of the Development Plan. Current information on boundaries of designated sites and conservation objectives can be found on the National Parks and Wildlife Service website, at: www.npws.ie There are a total of three European sites located within the County. Table 3.1 provides details of such sites and these are also identified on the Development Plan Land-Use Zoning maps that accompany this written statement. Table 3.1: Natura 2000 Sites Site Code Site Name European Site Type 001209 Glenasmole Valley SAC 002122 Wicklow Mountains SAC 004040 Wicklow Mountains SPA Policy NCBH3: Natura 2000 Sites Conserve and protect Natura 2000 sites and achieve and maintain favourable conservation status for habitats and species that are considered to be at risk through the protection of the Natura 2000 network from any plans or projects that are likely to have a significant effect on their coherence or integrity. NCBH3 Objective 1: To prevent development and activities that would adversely affect the integrity of any Natura 2000 site located within or adjacent to the County and promote the favourable conservation status of the habitats and species integral to these sites.
- SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022-202889Natural, Cultural and Built Heritage (NCBH) NCBH3 Objective 2: To ensure that plans, including land use plans, will only be adopted, if they either individually or in combination with existing and / or proposed plans or projects, will not have a significant adverse effect on a European Site, or where such a plan is likely or might have such a significant adverse effect (either alone or in combination), South Dublin County Council will, as required by law, carry out an appropriate assessment as per requirements of Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive 92 / 43 / EEC of the 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora, as transposed into Irish legislation. Only after having ascertained that the plan will not adversely affect the integrity of any European site, will South Dublin County Council adopt the plan, incorporating any necessary mitigation measures. A plan which could adversely affect the integrity of a European site may only be adopted in exceptional circumstances, as provided for in Article 6(4) of the Habitats Directive as transposed into Irish legislation. NCBH3 Objective 3: To ensure that planning permission will only be granted for a development proposal that, either individually or in combination with existing and / or proposed plans or projects, will not have a significant adverse effect on a European Site, or where such a development proposal is likely or might have such a significant adverse effect (either alone or in combination), the planning authority will, as required by law, carry out an appropriate assessment as per requirements of Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive 92 / 43 / EEC of the 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora, as transposed into Irish legislation. Only after having ascertained that the development proposal will not adversely affect the integrity of any European site, will the planning authority agree to the development and impose appropriate mitigation measures in the form of planning conditions. A development proposal which could adversely affect the integrity of a European site may only be permitted in exceptional circumstances, as provided for in Article 6(4) of the Habitats Directive as transposed into Irish legislation. Proposed Natural Heritage Areas Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs) are designated to conserve and protect species and habitats of national importance in Ireland and are established under the Wildlife Acts. NHAs normally relate to habitats that are considered to be ecologically important or host flora and fauna species whose habitats are considered to need protection. These can include species listed under the European Habitats and Bird Directives. In South Dublin County there are seven proposed NHAs (pNHAs), which were originally identified on a non-statutory basis but have not been formally designated. A process is underway by the National Parks and Wildlife Service to resurvey and formally designate some pNHA sites as NHAs on a country-wide basis. In the meantime, a degree of protection is afforded to pNHAs under County Development Plans and other environmental protection schemes. All pNHAs in the County are shown on the Development Plan maps which accompany this written statement. Brittas Ponds, which are part of the Slade of Saggart and Crooksling Glen proposed Natural Heritage Area (pNHA), are a Wildlife Sanctuary, Code WFS-18, where the shooting of
- SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022-202890Natural, Cultural and Built Heritage (NCBH) game birds is not allowed due to their exclusion from the Open Season Order under the Wildlife Acts, 1976 to 2018. The two SACs within the County were initially identified as pNHAs and retain both designations. The following seven pNHAs are identified within the County, with those at Glenasmole Valley and Wicklow Mountains also being Natura 2000 sites: Table 3.2: Proposed Natural Heritage Areas in South Dublin County Site Code Site Name Also Natura 2000 Site 000991 Dodder Valley No 000128 Liffey Valley No 002104 Grand Canal No 001212 Lugmore Glen No 000211 Slade of Saggart and Crooksling Glen No 001209 Glenasmole Valley Yes (SAC) 002122 Wicklow Mountains* Yes (SAC and SPA) * The Wicklow Mountains pNHA extends into South Dublin County. Policy NCBH4: Proposed Natural Heritage Areas Protect the ecological, visual, recreational, environmental and amenity value of the County’s proposed Natural Heritage Areas and associated habitats and species. NCBH4 Objective 1: To ensure that any proposal for development within or adjacent to a proposed Natural Heritage Area (pNHA) is designed and sited to minimise its impact on the biodiversity, ecological, geological and landscape value of the pNHA particularly plant and animal species listed under the Wildlife Acts and the Habitats and Birds Directive including their habitats. NCBH4 Objective 2: To restrict development within or adjacent to a proposed Natural Heritage Area to development that is directly related to the area’s amenity potential subject to the protection and enhancement of natural heritage and visual amenities including biodiversity and landscapes. Such developments will be required to submit an Ecological Impact Assessment prepared by a suitably qualified professional. NCBH4 SLO1: To promote opportunities to improve the habitat relating to the Lugmore Glen pNHA and to ensure that any proposals for development have full regard to the sensitivities of the area within the pNHA and along the Tallaght Stream.
- SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022-202891Natural, Cultural and Built Heritage (NCBH) Protection of Habitats and Species Outside of Designated Areas The County supports a range of flora and fauna, and their habitats which are not protected under European or Irish legislation. In other cases, whilst the species themselves are protected, such as in the case of all wild bird species and many mammal species under Wildlife Acts, 1976 to 2018, their habitats are not. The habitats of rare species in particular have an important natural heritage and ecological value for the County and should be protected. Such species include rare plants listed in the Red Data Lists of Irish Plants and especially those covered by the Flora Protection order, 2015, (or other such orders). All bat species and the otter are subject to a system of strict protection under the European Habitats Directive (92 / 43 / EEC), which includes protection of their resting and breeding places, and it would be desirable where possible to protect their foraging habitats as well. A number of habitats and species listed in Annex 1 and Annex 2 of the Habitats Directive are also known to occur at locations outside of protected sites. Strict protection is afforded under Annex IV of the Habitats Directive to some of these species, for example all bat species and otter. The planning process will seek to protect rare and threatened species, including species protected by law and their habitats. Applicants must demonstrate that proposals will not have a significant adverse impact on such species and their habitats. The Planning Authority will take account of the views of the Prescribed Bodies and any licensing requirements in relation to protected species. Wildlife habitats that are not nationally designated may still be important at a County level by acting as Green Infrastructure stepping-stones within the wider ecological network. This is encapsulated by Article 10 of the Habitats Directive which encourages the management of features of the landscape which are of major importance for wild plant (flora) and animals (fauna) and which are essential for the migration and dispersal of species. Policy NCBH5: Protection of Habitats and Species Outside of Designated Areas Protect and promote the conservation of biodiversity outside of designated areas and ensure that species and habitats that are protected under the Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2018, the Birds Directive 1979 and the Habitats Directive 1992, the Flora (Protection) Order 2015, and wildlife corridors are adequately protected. NCBH5 Objective 1: To ensure that development does not have a significant adverse impact on biodiversity, including known rare and threatened species, and that biodiversity enhancement measures are included in all development proposals. NCBH5 Objective 2: To ensure that an Ecological Impact Assessment is undertaken for developments proposed in areas that support, or have the potential to support, protected species or features of biodiversity importance, and that appropriate avoidance and mitigation measures are incorporated into all development proposals.
- SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022-202892Natural, Cultural and Built Heritage (NCBH) 3.3.4 Areas of Significant Amenity Value The County contains many key natural assets including: the Dublin Mountains within the Wicklow Mountains National Park, the Liffey River Valley, the Dodder River Valley, the Grand Canal, and a number of smaller river corridors including the Griffeen, Camac, and Owendoher Rivers. These natural assets are considered to: à Support nationally and regionally unique habitats, biodiversity, and fragile ecosystems; à Have important recreational, tourism and cultural roles; à Provide or support forestry, agriculture and carbon sequestration; à Provide green buffers / green wedges between built up areas; à Improve air quality and provide for natural flood plains and riparian corridors. The Dublin Mountains within the Wicklow Mountains National Park, the Grand Canal, and the valleys of the River Liffey and Dodder are areas of important heritage and significant amenity value, not just for South Dublin County but for the Greater Dublin Area as a whole. These areas are also identified as significant green corridors and landscape features within the South Dublin County Green Infrastructure (GI) Strategy set out under Chapter 4: Green Infrastructure and Appendix 4: Green Infrastructure, Local Objectives and Case Studies. The GI Strategy guides the principles of protection for key ecosystem services and mitigation for climate change in the County Development Plan. This section of the chapter should be read in conjunction with Appendix 9: South Dublin Landscape Character Assessment. Dublin Mountains The Dublin Mountains and their associated upland areas occupy the southern part of the County, extending into the adjoining administrative areas of Dún Laoghaire- Rathdown and Wicklow. The diverse topography and landcover of the Dublin Mountains include areas of natural beauty and landscape character, a diverse archaeological record with a long cultural heritage of human settlement and land use that extends to the present day, a long geological history, and an ecological importance that includes three of the County’s protected Natura 2000 sites. The Landscape Character Assessment of South Dublin County highlights the sensitivity and high value of the Dublin Mountains landscape. The area is recognised as a key element of Green Infrastructure in the County’s Green Infrastructure Strategy, offering many opportunities for communities and individuals to engage with natural and cultural heritage and tourism, and with active recreational opportunities such as orienteering, climbing, walking, running, hiking and mountain bike trails. The mountain habitats that include bogs, moorlands, and woodlands also assist with climate mitigation measures by sequestering (capturing and storing) carbon and managing rainwater run-off. Achieving a balance that facilitates enjoyment of the recreational and tourism opportunities presented by the Dublin Mountains with the protection of the
- SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022-202893Natural, Cultural and Built Heritage (NCBH) landscape’s sensitive ecological sites, its ecosystem services, its cultural heritage, and support for its rural communities, is a priority of this Development Plan. Policy NCBH6: Dublin Mountains Protect and enhance the visual, environmental, ecological, geological, archaeological, recreational and amenity value of the Dublin Mountains, as a key element of the County’s Green Infrastructure network. NCBH6 Objective 1: To support the Dublin Mountains Partnership in conjunction with other stakeholders in the delivery of co-ordinated and sustainable amenity initiatives for the wider Dublin Mountains, recognising and protecting the ecological, geological, archaeological, and cultural heritage of the Mountain landscape. NCBH6 Objective 2: To restrict development within areas designated with Zoning Objective ‘HA- DM’ (To protect and enhance the outstanding natural character of the Dublin Mountains Area) and to ensure that new development: à does not significantly impact on sensitive habitats, species, or ecosystem services; à is related to the area’s amenity potential or to its use for agriculture; mountain or hill farming; and à is designed and sited to minimise environmental and visual impacts. NCBH6 Objective 3: To ensure that development proposals within the Dublin Mountains protect existing ecological and geological features and archaeological landscapes. NCBH6 Objective 4: To ensure that any permitted development supports the principles and protections included in the South Dublin County Green Infrastructure Strategy, recognising the significant value for amenity and ecosystem services provided by the Dublin Mountains for the Greater Dublin Area. NCBH6 Objective 5: To ensure that any development above the 350-metre contour in the Dublin Mountains will seek to protect the open natural character of mountain heath, gorselands and mountain bogs. NCBH6 Objective 6: To enhance and protect our rural traditions by preserving traditional common grazing grounds in Bohernabreena and Glenasmole Valley and to encourage the grazing of such areas by local farmers and support alternative methods of stock control on the commonage. NCBH6 Objective 7: To support the re-routing of the Dublin Mountains Way away from public roads by improving access to publicly owned lands and investigating additional opportunities for permissive access paths, wherever possible.
- SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022-202894Natural, Cultural and Built Heritage (NCBH) Liffey River Valley and Special Amenity Area Order From the Ice Age to the present day, the River Liffey has profoundly influenced the development of the landscape and the cultural heritage of the communities that have settled along its banks, from its origins in the Wicklow Mountains, through the lowlands of County Kildare, through South Dublin County and Fingal, to where it enters the sea in Dublin City. Today, the Liffey River generally forms the administrative boundary between South Dublin County and Fingal, passing through a picturesque landscape of open parkland settings and wooded slopes overlooking the meandering river. Village settlements at Lucan and Palmerstown represent the long interaction between local communities and the river. This is demonstrated in the range of built heritage features throughout that give these villages their unique identities, recalling a history of habitation, industry, and architectural styles from vernacular to splendid estates and ecclesiastical structures. A Special Amenity Area Order (SAAO) was made for the Liffey Valley by Dublin County Council in 1990 and now straddles the administrative boundaries of South Dublin County Council and Fingal County Council. The extent of the area covered by the SAAO is from Lucan Bridge to Chapelizod; the area within the County is identified on the County Development Plan Land-Use Zoning maps that accompany this written statement. An SAAO is primarily used to protect areas of outstanding natural beauty or areas with special recreational value, having regard to any benefits for nature conservation. The Liffey Valley SAAO, which runs along the northern boundary of the County, is an exceptional asset for the Greater Dublin Area with its rich scenic landscape setting and added ecological, cultural and built heritage. The SAAO includes an objective to preserve and enhance the character or special features of the area and objectives to limit development within the SAAO. The strict High Amenity zoning of the Development Plan ensures that the SAAO objectives can be met. A section of the river valley is designated as a proposed Natural Heritage Area (pNHA) and the whole river valley is a key element of South Dublin County’s Green Infrastructure Strategy. Being for the most part undeveloped, the banks of the river valley offer a natural and dark corridor between the urban areas of South Dublin and Fingal Counties which extends from Dublin City into County Kildare. This corridor is important for protected species such as light-sensitive bats, and for otter, kingfisher, and a range of other waterfowl, fish, and small mammals. Rare species of plants and insects occur in the woodlands and along the riverbank. The Landscape Character Assessment for the Liffey River Valley identifies this area as having a Medium to High Landscape Value and Sensitivity. While Council parks that facilitate access to the river are located at Palmerstown in the east (Waterstown Park) and at Lucan in the West (Lucan Demesne), public access to the remaining river valley is limited. Opportunities to strengthen this public amenity by creating additional appropriate access to the river and improving
- SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022-202895Natural, Cultural and Built Heritage (NCBH) permeability to adjacent counties is an objective of the Development Plan. The protection and enhancement of the sensitive river valley landscape and its associated natural and built heritage features is also a Development Plan priority. Policy NCBH7: Liffey River Valley and Special Amenity Area Order Protect and enhance the special amenity value of the Liffey Valley, including its landscape, visual, recreational, ecological, geological, and built heritage value, as a key element of the County’s Green Infrastructure network and implement the provisions of the Liffey Valley Special Amenity Area Order (SAAO). NCBH7 Objective 1: To restrict development within areas designated with Zoning Objective ‘HA-LV’ (To protect and enhance the outstanding character and amenity of the Liffey Valley) and to ensure that new development: à does not significantly impact on built or cultural heritage assets, on sensitive habitats, species, or ecosystem services; à is related to the area’s amenity potential; à is designed and sited to minimise environmental and visual impacts; and à enhances the County’s green infrastructure network. NCBH7 Objective 2: Within areas designated ‘High Amenity – Liffey Valley’ (‘HA-LV’), nonresidential development will only be permitted where it: à relates to the area’s amenity potential or to its use for agriculture or recreational purposes, including recreational buildings; or à comprises the redevelopment of or extensions to existing commercial or civic uses or development of new commercial or civic uses within an existing established area of commercial or civic activity; and à preserves the amenity value of the river valley including its biodiversity value, its landscape value, and views or vistas of the river valley. NCBH7 Objective 3: To improve and extend the Liffey Valley Special Amenity Area Order along the Liffey Valley area in South Dublin from the border with Dublin City administrative area to Kildare County and promote its tourism potential subject to the protection of its biodiversity and ecological value.
- SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022-202896Natural, Cultural and Built Heritage (NCBH) NCBH7 Objective 4: To facilitate and support the development of the Liffey Valley (Zoning Objective ‘HA-LV’) as an interconnected green space and park in collaboration with Dublin City Council, Fingal County Council, Kildare County Council, the OPW and other State agencies, existing landowners, community groups and sectoral and commercial interests in accordance with the Ministerial Order for the Liffey Valley SAAO by: à Carrying out a study of the lands that comprise Liffey Valley inclusive of the Special Amenity Area Order (SAAO) and adjacent lands; à Investigating and determining, as part of the study, viable and appropriate uses to support and facilitate the development of a Regional Park (Liffey Valley Park), with particular emphasis on enhancing the recreation, amenity value and accessibility of the area while protecting the valley’s biodiversity and enhancing the green infrastructure network; à Identifying and designating, as part of the study, possible future new pedestrian routes and footbridge locations in accordance with ‘Towards a Liffey Valley Park’ (2007) or any superseding plan, including potential permissive access routes. Universal accessibility for all should be balanced with ensuring that environmental and built heritage sensitivities are not negatively impacted upon. NCBH7 Objective 5: To ensure that development proposals within the Liffey Valley, including local and regional networks of walking and cycling routes à avoid impacts on the Valley’s sensitive landscape character and ecological network; à maximise opportunities for enhancement of existing features; à protect and incorporate natural and built heritage features as part of the County’s Green Infrastructure network; à do not prejudice the future creation and development of interconnected public parklands. NCBH7 Objective 6: To actively pursue the extension of publicly owned lands, either by direct purchase or land swap within and adjacent to the Liffey Valley Special Amenity Area to create a linked series of park land and open spaces. NCBH7 Objective 7: To work in collaboration with the owners of lands along the length of the river to seek to provide appropriate public access.
- SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022-202897Natural, Cultural and Built Heritage (NCBH) NCBH7 Objective 8: To facilitate the development of Council owned lands adjacent to the Hermitage Clinic and elsewhere within the Liffey Valley as publicly accessible parkland and Green Infrastructure links, as appropriate. NCBH7 Objective 9: To facilitate the reuse of an appropriate existing building in Lucan and Palmerstown as a tourist amenity and educational / interpretive centre. NCBH7 SLO 1: To investigate the potential of collaborating with Fingal County Council for the re-use of Shackleton’s Mill as a tourism destination given its location in proximity to Lucan Village. NCBH7 SLO 2: To work in collaboration with the owners of St Patrick’s Hospital lands at St Edmundsbury, Lucan in the preparation of a Masterplan to examine the potential for the future provision of mental health services and accommodation on the existing hospital campus lands. The Masterplan will have full regard to the setting and integrity of the Protected Structures on the lands, the highly sensitive environmental characteristics of the site in relation to the Liffey Valley and Green Infrastructure principles and the need to provide appropriate public access including an area of accessible public realm within the lands and connectivity to adjacent lands to further the overall objective of developing a Liffey Valley public park. Dodder River Valley The Dodder River Valley extends in a north-easterly direction from the Dublin Mountains, passing through the urban environments of South Dublin County, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, and Dublin City, before entering the sea at the Grand Canal Basin at Ringsend. In effect, the River Dodder connects the High Amenity area of the Dublin Mountains to Dublin Bay, creating a corridor of national importance through the city of Dublin for key species and habitats and for the residents of Dublin City. A section of the river between Old Bawn Bridge and the City Weir at Firhouse / Balrothery is recognised as a proposed Natural Heritage Area (pNHA). The Dodder Valley Linear Park comprises a series of mostly interconnected public parks along the river, stretching from Kiltipper Park at the river’s upper reaches to the Lower Dodder Road at the County boundary in Rathfarnham. The open nature of the landscape along much of this linear park provides scenic views back up into the Dublin Mountains, while also offering glimpses of shady stretches of riverbed through riverbank woodland in other locations. The River Dodder holds significant historical, archaeological, and cultural importance also, being the backdrop for centuries of habitation and industry along its route. Today, its natural character and accessibility is of significant importance to local residents, who value the opportunities it offers for engagement with nature in the urban landscape and for active and passive recreation. The Dodder Greenway facilitates a walking and cycling route along much of its length.
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.