Waterford City and County Development Plan 2022–2028 — Chapter 9

1. Page 21

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   WATERFORD CITY & COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028264 Trees & Woodlands Policy Objectives BD 21 We will preserve and enhance the amenity and biodiversity value of the County and City by preserving as far as possible trees, woodlands and hedgerows and will consider Tree Preservation Orders in order to protect trees of significance throughout the City and County. Existing TPOs are listed in Appendix 11. Trees of Special Amenity Value are also listed in Appendix 11. BD 22 To implement the Waterford City and County Tree Management Strategy 2021 and review as appropriate. BD 23 Where development proposals require felling of mature trees a comprehensive tree survey carried out by a suitably qualified arborist shall be submitted assessing the condition, ecological and amenity value of the treestock proposed for removal and mitigation planting and management scheme. We will seek in all cases to ensure when undertaking development or when permitting development that the loss of or damage to existing trees is minimised. BD 24 To ensure when planning to undertake development or when considering the approval or authorisation of development that adequate information to assess the impact of the proposed development on existing trees, including tree surveys and planting and management schemes, is provided and that the protection, preservation and management of existing trees of amenity value, and the implementation of a planned planting and management scheme, are provided for. BD 25 We will continue to enhance our public realm and general amenity of the City and County through the continued maintenance and provision of trees in the urban environment with a view to providing continuity of tree cover where possible throughout our urban centres and promoting the use of native species where possible, with varied species and age distribution. BD 26 We will carry out an audit of all trees of special amenity value and TPOs, as listed in Appendix 11, with a view to updating same. 9.14 Forestry Forestry provides benefits for the local economy, amenity and carbon sequestration which is significant at a time where reduction of carbon emissions is a priority. Approximately 22% of County Waterford is covered by coniferous forest plantations. Coillte manage 15% of the County while the remainder is in private ownership. National Forestry policy is based on The Forest Strategy published in 2022 under Project Woodland established in 2021 to bring a new impetus to woodland creation in Ireland and building on the previous strategy Growing for the Future (1996). The National target is to establish a forestry cover of 17% or 1.2 million ha by 2030. The 2000 CAP Rural Development Plan set the target of broadleaf planting of total afforestation to 30%, a target which is also supported by the National Biodiversity Plan 2002. Currently, Ireland has approximately 10.5 % of land cover devoted to forestry compared to the EU average of approximately 40% and where on average 60% of all trees planted are broadleaves. Afforestation is carried out in accordance with Sustainable Forest management and 15% of all afforestation areas must be managed with particular regard to Biodiversity. Coillte manage 5 forest amenity areas in the County: Colligan, Dromana, Faithlegg, Glenshelane and Kilclooney. Given the need to restructure agricultural practices, the Council will support the development of forestry, particularly deciduous forestry and Biomass as an alternative agricultural land use.

2. Page 22

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   WATERFORD CITY & COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028265 Forestry Policy Objectives F 01 We will encourage the replanting and extension of woodland cover, in particular mixed forests and broadleaf forests, in order to ensure the preservation and enhancement of the arboreal landscape in the County F 02 We will support the economic, recreational and carbon sequestration potential of forestry. Forestry as a land use and its ancillary development will be encouraged in appropriate locations subject to such development not impacting on biodiversity/protected species such as Freshwater Pearl Mussel, interfering with significant views or prospects or being unduly obtrusive in the landscape. F 03 We will promote a greater mix of species in Forestry Plantations and to encourage greater structural and spatial diversity in plantation design and enhanced biodiversity and habitat value. We will facilitate afforestation in appropriate locations in co-operation with the Forest Service and Coillte and in accordance with the principles of Sustainable Forest Management codes of best practice and the Waterford Climate Adaptation Strategy and updates of these. F 04 We will co-operate with landowners, Coillte and the Forest Service in promoting greater public access and recreational use of state and privately owned forests in Waterford. F 05 To ensure that linear felling of trees is not encouraged in exposed or scenic areas and also promote phased rather than clear felling.

3. Page 23

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   WATERFORD CITY & COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028266 9.15 Invasive Species Many species of flora and fauna have been introduced to Ireland and pose a serious threat to native vegetation, wildlife and their ecosystems. Problematic species in Waterford include Grey Squirrel, Japanese Knotweed and Himalayan Balsam. Advice on the distribution, threat status and control of invasive species is available on the National Biodiversity Data Centre’s Website3. A useful guidance document relating to the management of invasive species is the NRA’s Guidance on The Management of Noxious Weeds and Non-Native Invasive Plant Species on National Roads (2006)4. 3 https://species.biodiversityireland.ie/?keyword=Invasive%20Species%20Of%20Union%20Concern 4 https://www.tii.ie/technical-services/environment/construction/Management-of-Noxious-Weeds-and-Non-Native-Invasive-Plant-Species-on- National-Road-Schemes.pdf Invasive Species Policy Objectives BD 28 We will support, as appropriate, the National Parks and Wildlife Service’s efforts to seek to control and manage the spread of non-native invasive species on land and water. Where the presence of non-native invasive species is identified at the site of any proposed development or where the proposed activity has an elevated risk of resulting in the presence of these species, details of how these species will be managed and controlled will be required. Where development is approved for sites containing known invasive species, we will consider, where appropriate, the use of conditions for control and removal of invasive species. BD 29 We will promote awareness of invasive species and appropriate management, and work with other agencies to address the issue.

Source Waterford City and County Council: Waterford City and County Development Plan 2022–2028 — Chapter 9 (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.