[ Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028, Section 15(2) Two-Year Progress Report ]
been permitted as part of a new post primary school at Carrigaline Road, Ardarrig, Douglas, and an extension to Gaelcholaiste Mhuire A.G., Our Lady’s Mount, North Monastery Road.
[OBJECTIVE 6.21 RIVER USE AND MANAGEMENT PLAN
While not under the remit of a standalone river use and management plan, river use and access is a key theme in the Framework Masterplan for the City Docklands which Cork City Council is currently preparing, and has informed the design and land-use considerations for this significant brownfield site. Work on the Framework Masterplan has included the identification of appropriate locations for the delivery of infrastructure for river users and consultation with key stakeholders.
[OBJECTIVE 6.22] NATURAL HERITAGE & BIODIVERSITY
While this objective is not listed in the Implementation Monitoring Framework in Chapter 13 of the City Development Plan as an objective to be monitored, there has been much progress in furthering biodiversity and natural heritage in Cork City since the adoption of the City Development Plan. The City Development Plan references the Cork City Council Heritage and Biodiversity Plan (2021- 2026) which aims to protect, enhance and promote the heritage and biodiversity of Cork City and to place the care of our heritage at the heart of the community. Table 6.13 of the City Development Plan sets out strategic biodiversity goals, while the Heritage and Biodiversity Plan sets out a range of actions. Cork City Council appointed two Biodiversity Officers in 2023 to implement the biodiversity actions set out in the Heritage and Biodiversity Plan, embed biodiversity as a strategic consideration in the functions of Cork City Council and promote the protection and enhancement of biodiversity in the city.
Key actions undertaken on biodiversity include:
• Cork City Council celebrated Biodiversity Week in May 2023 and 2024 with a number of outdoor events and produced a brochure to promote events 36 . • In June 2023 Cork City Council hosted the national gathering of Heritage and Biodiversity Officers in Cork City Hall. The event included various workshops and a guided tour of Harper’s Island Wetland. It was the first dedicated gathering of Biodiversity Officers, with new appointments (at the time) from Clare, Galway, Offaly, Dublin, Wicklow, Kildare, Monaghan and Cork in attendance. Other site visits included Clashduv Park, where community gardens, public engagement, biodiversity enhancement and pond creation were discussed, and Shalom Park where expertise and knowledge of the Green Flag Award, the Cork City Tree Strategy and the Cork City Green and Blue-Infrastructure Studies were discussed. • In August 2023, the Biodiversity Officers collaborated with Green Spaces for Health and Togher Community Garden to deliver a four-week workshop for local children in Clashduv Park. Also in August, the Biodiversity Officers participated in Heritage Week, delivering talks in bird song and bird conservation. • The Biodiversity Officers delivered numerous talks to schools in November, with the focus of educating students about the wonders of the natural world. These sessions focussed on human dependency on biodiversity and the local biodiversity on our doorstep. Visits included meetings
36
Natural Heritage & Biodiversity - Cork City Council
100
Powered by FlippingBook