Ábhair:
Chapter 12 Biodiversity and Green infrastructure
We have a biodiversity emergency and it is in this light that I make the following comments and proposals.
- It is good that the current (although out-dated) biodiversity strategy will be reviewed during the lifetime of this plan.
- In relation to BI036, I welcome the initiative to involve citizens in monitoring invasive species, and hopefully other species but how this will be undertaken is unclear.
- I propose that we have a biodiversity officer in each county, who is a fully qualified ecologist, and who would liaise with the NPWS.
This officer could:
- Liaise with Tidy Town committees to ensure that their work maximizes benefits to the local biodiversity.
- Coordinate public engagement in schemes undertaken by the National Biodiversity Centre such as the bumble bee and butterfly monitoring on both private and council owned properties
- Advise resident groups, farmers and all interested parties and individuals on what they can do to encourage biodiversity in their area, and inform citizens about what biodiversity is in danger e.g. marsh fritillary butterfly, swallows, etc, and what they can do to help the situation.
- Provide regular and public updates on the biodiversity status of Kildare as reported on the map of the National Biodiversity Database
- To investigate the possibility of establishing tiny urban forests, or Miyawaki forests in more heavily populated built up areas (it is based on natural forest regeneration principles), and tree planting in other council owned land
In relation to planning, the local biodiversity officer, in consultation with planners, would require developers to:
- Include green spaces; edible hedges, bramble, community orchards, wildflower meadows, retain mature trees, and to install community composting and recycling facilities, with financial penalties for non-compliance.
- Leave hedgerows and trees in place, and to provide evidence as to why they need to remove any natural vegetation, with financial penalties for non-compliance.
- Prohibit the planting of laurel in public places
- Undertake a specialist review of all planning applications for their impact on biodiversity
- Include provision for swift boxes in all new housing developments
- To undertake an aerial assessment of each village and town in the county, to identify any land that is underused and un-used, and to collaborate with the owners to investigate how biodiversity can be promoted in that area.
- Liaisewith owner/managers of open spaces to plant pollinator friendly native Irish trees and vegetation e.g. planting trees around a playing pitch
- Itemize, map and monitor all semi-natural habitats in Kildare such as the Curragh, the state of their animals and plants, and in conjunction with all relevant stakeholders, to develop an appropriate plan of action
- Consideration to be given to the development of bio-solar roof tops on all new houses and where possible on older buildings