Chapter One Kildare County Development Plan (draft) 2023-2029
Butterfly Conservation Ireland (BCI) offers the following comments concerning and suggested amendments to Chapter One of the Kildare County Development Plan 2023-2029. Key comments and suggested amendments are indicated in bold.
The comments from BCI are made in the context of our recommendation that a new National Park, the National Peatlands Park, be established in northwest Kildare and east Offaly.
1.4.1 Contents of Development Plans: Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended)
The following mandatory objectives will be supported by the establishment of a new National Peatlands Park in the north-west of County Kildare.
Conservation and protection of the environment.
Management of features of the landscape, such as traditional field boundaries.
Promotion of compliance with environmental standards and objectives established for bodies of surface waters and groundwater.
Integration of the social, community and cultural requirements.
Preservation of the character of the landscape including the preservation of views and prospects and the amenities of places and features of natural beauty or interest.
Protection of structures, or parts of structures, which are of special architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest.
Preservation, improvement and extension of amenities and recreational amenities.
Preservation of public rights of way which give access to seashore, mountain, lakeshore, riverbank or other places of natural beauty or recreational utility.
Provide a framework for the identification, assessment, protection, management and planning of landscapes.
1.4.2 Project Ireland 2040: National Planning Framework (NPF)
The National Planning Framework (NPF) is the Government’s high-level strategic plan for shaping the future growth and development of the country to the year 2040. The following outcomes of the NPF will be supported by the establishment of a new National Peatlands Park in the north-west of County Kildare:
3. Strengthened rural economies and communities.
5. A strong economy supported by enterprise, innovation and skills.
7. Enhanced Amenity and Heritage.
8. Transition to a Low Carbon and Climate Resilient Society.
9. Sustainable Management of Water, Waste and other Environmental Resources.
1.4.3 Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the Eastern and Midlands Regional Assembly
The aim of the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) is to strengthen the settlement structure of the Region and to capitalise on the individual and collective strengths of the region’s cities, towns and rural areas. It provides policy responses in the form of Regional Policy Objectives to ensure that people’s needs, such as access to housing, jobs, ease of travel and overall well-being are met. The Strategy is underpinned by three key principles: healthy placemaking, climate action and economic opportunity.
The three key principles will be supported by the established of a National Peatlands Park in County Kildare.
The three key principles are:
To promote people’s quality of life through the creation of healthy and attractive places to live, work, visit, invest and study in.
The need to enhance climate resilience and accelerate a transition to a low carbon society recognising the role of natural capital and ecosystem services in achieving this.
To create the right conditions and opportunities for the Region to realise sustainable economic growth and quality jobs that ensure a good living for all.
1.5 Climate Change
This Plan is set in a context where climate change is accepted as a global challenge and requires climate action responses in adaptation and mitigation to ensure a healthy, economically thriving, liveable built environment. The Government has adopted the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 which provides for the approval of plans by the Government for the purpose of pursuing the transition to a climate resilient, biodiversity rich and climate neutral economy by no later than the end of the year 2050.
The climate action and biodiversity objectives will be supported by the established of a National Peatlands Park in County Kildare.
1.6 Sustainable Development Goals
The UN Sustainable Development Goals (Global Goals) mentioned in the Development Plan, are a call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity vital for a recovery that leads to greener, more inclusive economies and stronger, more resilient societies. There is significant alignment between the UN SDGs and National Planning Framework’s National Strategic Outcomes (NSOs) in areas such as climate action, clean energy, sustainable cities and communities, economic growth, reduced inequalities and innovation and infrastructure, as well as education and health.
The establishment of a new National Peatlands Park aligns with climate action, sustainable communities, economic growth, innovation and infrastructure, as well as education and health.
1.8.1 Over-arching Guiding Principles
The following over-arching guiding principles underpinning the Development Plan are supported by the establishment of a new National Peatlands Park in the north-west of County Kildare.
(i) To develop a county that is resilient to climate change, plans for and adapts to climate change and flood risk, facilitates a low carbon future, supports energy efficiency and conservation and enables the decarbonisation of our lifestyles and economy.
(vi) To promote economic development and employment opportunities within defined Strategic Employment Development Areas in the North-West corridor of the Metropolitan Area, in line with the overall Growth Strategy.
(ix) To protect local assets by preserving the quality of the landscape, open space, recreational resources, natural, architectural, archaeological and cultural heritage and the material assets of the county.
Butterfly Conservation Ireland Observations on Chapter One Kildare County Development Plan (draft) 2023-2029
Submission prepared by Jesmond Harding, Butterfly House, Butterfly Conservation Ireland, Pagestown, Mulhussey, Maynooth, Co. Kildare W23 N8C2.