MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
MOTION NO.6
MOTION: Councillor F. Timmons
Cathorleach’s Business
In order to ensure continuing protection and appropriate development of the Grand Canal’s Built, Natural and Cultural Heritage, with regard to the Canal itself and also the lands in its environs. this committee proposes that…
1) It is proposed to continue the work that has been carried out by South Dublin County Council, Waterways Ireland, the Irish Wildlife Trust, the NPWS, Clondalkin Area Partnership and local community groups such as Loc Canail in protecting the natural, built and cultural heritage of the Grand Canal.
2) To protect and appropriately develop the amenity through on-going engagement and partnership with relevant bodies at local, national and international level,
3) To commission a biodiversity study to identify and afford protection to the rich wildlife previously identified on the Grand Canal and environs, particularly the land between the Canal and the railway line in Clondalkin. To assess the status of the rich biodiversity and protected species such as the five species of bats, the white-clawed crayfish, the lapwing and others which have previously been found to have habitats in the canal and environs.
4) To encourage use of the canal amenity by local groups and schools by developing heritage-related material and activities.
4) To re-visit and expand on the commitments made in previous development plans in regard to the protection and appropriate development of the Grand Canal and environs.
5) To ensure that development in the environs of the Grand Canal is rigorous with regard to the protection of all aspects of this amenity’s, natural, built and cultural heritage.
REPORT:
The Grand Canal is recognised by Council as a significant heritage feature in the County, representing important elements our natural, industrial, built, and cultural heritage resource. Objectives to protect and enhance these heritage elements are incorporated into both the County Development Plan 2010-2016 and in the South Dublin County Heritage Plan 2010-2015.
In addition, a number of objectives to protect and enhance the biodiversity resource offered by the Grand Canal, including measures to provide for sensitively structured amenity cycleways and walkways interconnecting with the Canal, are also included in the draft County Development Plan 2016-2022 which is currently on Public Display. In particular, the Draft Plan highlights the importance of the canal in its proposed Green Infrastructure approach, recognising it as a key element in providing a corridor for biodiversity and amenity provision through the urban environment – Section 9.2.5 of the draft Plan refers (see page no. 153).
Liaison between the Heritage Officer and State Agencies such as Waterways Ireland and National Parks and Wildlife Service, and with non-government organisations, local Tidy Towns Groups, and local individuals, is an on-going process in relation to the canal and other biodiversity issues throughout the County.
A range of biodiversity studies have been undertaken along the Grand Canal in recent years which have contributed significantly to our knowledge of the habitats and species along the canal, in particular the status of protected species such as otter, bat, and crayfish. Also, as the area referred to forms part of the Clonburris Strategic Development Zone, a biodiversity assessment of the area referred to forms part of the review of the SDZ scheme for 2015.
