CHAPTER 5 RETAINING EXISTING TREES
Retaining existing trees where possible is significant for tree canopy cover, as studies indicate that existing, healthy, mature trees provide twelve times or more benefits than newly planted trees. [11]
[5.1] Overview of Retention Strategy To retain and protect existing trees, Cork City Council will:
• Integrate existing trees into new development wherever possible.
• Protect existing trees during site works, including works on underground and overhead utilities.
• Encourage stewardship of private trees. (See Chapter 8, Collaboration)
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Use regulatory protection where necessary.
[5.2] Integrate Trees into New Development The strong growth of the city requires new infrastructure and large residential developments, which must be accommodated as much as possible within the existing footprint of the city and new expansion areas. This will require some tree removal. However, trees are also a critical form of city infrastructure, the significant benefits and economic value of which are outlined in Chapter 1. Given this, Cork City Council is committed to ensuring that trees are given adequate consideration at all stages of the private and public development process, from the feasibility stage to post-completion management. The approach set out below provides further details to help achieve objectives for tree protection as set out in the Cork City. Current objectives regarding tree retention in the Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028 are summarised in Figure 5.1.
In respect of tree retention and land development, the Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028 includes the following retention objectives:
• A presumption against development for some woodlands and significant groups of trees with the zoning objective ‘Landscape Preservation Zone (ZO 17)’. • An objective to support the retention of existing trees and the planting of new trees as part of new developments (Objective 6.5d) and • An objective to discourage development proposals necessitating the removal of extensive amounts of trees or hedgerows (Objective 6.9). The text of the plan further establishes that mature trees and hedgerows shall be identified at the initial stages of the planning process and used to guide site layout and design (Para. 11.212) and that all development proposals are expected to avoid adverse impacts on mature trees (Para 11.224).
Figure 5.1 Summary of Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028 Objectives for Tree Retention
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[ Cork City Council - Tree Strategy ]
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