Cllr Timmons commented “I’m beyond disappointed that Local councillors representing Rathcoole voted down my motion to request the Chief Executive to pursue a formal protected area designation for the Alluvial Woodland of Special Area of Conservation, or National Heritage Area, with National Parks and Wildlife to ensure the Woodlands is properly taken into consideration in planning or any other activities requiring approval in its vicinity.”
Cllr Timmons said ” Cllrs O Hara (FG) , Cllr O Broin (SD) and Cllr Carey (SF) voted against the motion which meant as Cllr Egan (FG) wasn’t present it was 3 for 3 against and meant that Cllr Carey (SF) as chair had casting vote and voted against my motion”. Cllr Timmons added “We will hear several people talk about climate change in the run up to the local elections next year I hope people remember when there was an opportunity to try and get extra protection for the woodlands some choose not to support it”
Cllr Timmons said “Clearly there are those that talk about climate change and those that try to do something about it”
Cllr Timmons argued at the area meeting that Current “protection” afforded by rural zoning is not enough because
1. Council presentation on concept states there will be loss of alluvial woodland anyway
2. Planning application for adjacent site, excluded woodland from any consideration because it had no formal designation
3. Therefore any type of development adjacent to the site, does not have to consider the Woodlands
4. Other SLO doesn’t say how it will protect5. “When will the Council develop a plan for protecting the Woodlands?”
Cllr Timmons concluded “The council reply to my question that The Council won’t be issuing any consent to third parties to undertake survey work on the relevant lands, raises huge concerns about the commitment to find out the full value of the lands and how they should be protected”
