ABP request council conduct bird survey at visitor centre
By Mary Dennehy
AN BORD Pleanala has requested that South Dublin County Council conducts a bird survey as part of its Dublin Mountains Visitor Centre application.
The proposed €19m flagship tourism project, which is a joint venture between South Dublin County Council, Coillte and the Dublin Mountains Partnership, aims to create a new “gateway” to the Dublin Mountains – with development focused around Massy’s Wood, Mountpelier Hill and the Hell Fire Club site.
An artist impression of the planned Visitor Centre
To date, 115 submissions have been received by An Bord Pleanala (ABP), which has advised South Dublin County Council that it intends to hold an oral hearing into the proposed development.
In council chambers on Monday, councillor Dermot Looney (Social Democrats) asked management for a report on the proposed project.
In its reply, the council said that ABP in October sought additional information in relation to matters including red squirrels, pine martens and bats.
A “comprehensive response” addressing these matters was submitted by the council in late November – including a Red Squirrel Management Plan.
This additional information was available for members of the public to inspect until March 1.
On February 7 of this year, ABP wrote again to the council requesting a bird survey of the area.
According to the council, due to the nesting season during April and the summer that an extension on the return of this additional information has been granted until September 30.
According to the council: “The requirement to carry out this survey will further extend the period of the application process.
“ABP has also advised that they intend to hold an oral hearing into the proposed development, the date of which will be notified in due course.”
The council also confirmed that 115 submissions have been received by ABP in relation to the application.
“South Dublin County Council is currently awaiting notification from ABP if any further submissions were mande during the period from January 31 to March 1 [when the additional information was available to the public],” the council said.
Visit www.sdcc.ie for details on the proposed project.
TAGS news
