Biodiversity, Climate and Sustainability

Ch12 Sustainable transportation

Section 12.1 mentions that the provision of walking and cycling routes within towns and between towns forms an essential part of a connected transport system. It is not clear how routes will be selected to be part of this connected transport system. West Wicklow Environmental Network encourages Wicklow County Council to work with community groups in deciding on routes.

Section 12.2 - West Wicklow Environmental Network welcomes the possible extension of the Luas to Blessington and seeks provision for feeder buses into Blessington to make it easier for people access public transport from Blessington into the city.  There is also a need for park and ride facilities in Blessington, which should be provided irrespective of the Luas project.

CPO 12.7 To facilitate the development of services and utilities for electric vehicles and alternative fuel vehicle types, including the roll-out of additional electric charging points in collaboration with relevant agencies at appropriate locations. West Wicklow Environmental Network seeks more specific commitments in relation to the roll-out of EV charging points, this is important in giving people the confidence to transition to electric vehicles.

CPO 12.8 – The number of EV points for non-residential should increase from one to two with ducting infrastructure for all spaces. This is on the basis that 30% car sales so far in 2021 have been hybrid or EV, and because the sale of new fossil fuel cars sales may be banned from 2030.

West Wicklow Environmental Network notes that Census 2016 revealed that almost 40% of the County’s working population (23,451) are travelling outside the County for work. There is likely to be continued home working as a legacy of Covid 19.

We propose amendments to wording of the following objectives in this chapter

The climate and biodiversity crises present new employment opportunities in the management of Wicklow’s natural resources, for the farming sector, in habitat management and within the forestry sector.

Peatlands are very significant carbon stores, however drained or damaged peatlands emit carbon. Peatland restoration is one of the key nature-based solutions to addressing our climate and biodiversity crises. Due to Wicklow’s extensive upland blanket bog, much of it in poor condition due to historic land use practices, there is scope for Wicklow to become a centre of excellence in peatland restoration. It is notable that Luggala Estate and Wicklow Mountains National Park are both currently commencing peatland restoration projects. To emphasise the importance of peatland restoration in the county, West Wicklow Environmental Network seeks an addition to CPO 9.21 as shown below:

Green Industry CPO 9.21 To encourage and facilitate the development of ‘green’ industries, including industries relating to renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies, waste recycling, and conservation, particularly nature-based solutions to climate change.

Wicklow has the largest proportion of forest cover by county, with almost 22% of Wicklow’s land area under tree cover, and most of this land in conifer plantation. As plantations in upland areas mature, there should be a shift from automatically replanting, to restoring areas of deep peat once felling has taken place. These forests require immediate action in the form of alternative management approaches if their peatland ecosystems are to be placed on a more sustainable footing. As site conditions vary, there should be a scientific, land use approach to identify the most sustainable option for the future management of each forest.

In keeping with Wicklow’s position as a ‘centre of excellence’ in forestry research and management (CPO 9.45) West Wicklow Environmental Network seeks the addition of a new objective in the forestry section of Chapter 9:

Ensure that forest management is based on a scientific, land use approach to identify the most sustainable option for the future management of each forest.

Finally, it is notable that there is no reference to circular economy enterprise opportunities in this chapter, this is something which should be allowed for, preferably with the addition of a new objective.

West Wicklow Environmental Network questions the settlement targets in Table 3.6 which show a higher growth in open countryside than villages and small towns. This seems inconsistent with the commitment within the draft plan to sustainable growth, including CPO 4.11 below; there should be a greater focus on growth within villages and smaller settlements, rather than on facilitating additional one-off rural housing.

CPO 4.11 Strengthen the established structure of villages and smaller settlements both to support local economies and to accommodate additional population in a way that supports the viability of local infrastructure, businesses and services, such as schools and water services.

West Wicklow Environmental Network welcomes the inclusion of Light Pollution Objectives in the draft plan, from the perspectives of energy saving, biodiversity protection and human health. In pursuing these objectives, the Council should have regard to the Dark Sky Ireland guidelines.

In relation to CPO 15.5 (below) West Wicklow Environmental Network highlights its concern that Wicklow County Council’s recycling centres no longer take soft plastic. We understand this is due to contamination. In light of the need to improve waste recovery this situation should be revisited. Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Council takes clean, soft plastic packaging at Ballyogan, surely Wicklow County Council can do likewise?

CPO 15.5 - To have regard to the Council’s duty under the 1996 Waste Management Act (as amended), to provide and operate, or arrange for the provision and operation of, such facilities as may be necessary to promote reuse or for the recovery and disposal of household waste arising within its functional area.