I am writing in strong support of retaining St Edmundsbury as High Amenity Lands.
St Edmundsbury is an irreplacable part of our rapidly disappearing natural heritage, so much of which has already been lost to our children and grandchildren. This year and last, I have observed many bird species, including the red-listed Yellowhammer – once a common farmland bird, but now at risk of extinction in Ireland. The lands include rare, ecologically valuable ancient woodland habitats, buffered from suburban Lucan by the farmland. Once such habitats are lost, they are lost forever: it takes hundreds of years for these complex ecosystems to develop.
During the Covid 19 pandemic, the lack of access to nature, green and blue spaces for a significant number of people living in urban areas became very apparent. St Edmundsbury was an absolute godsend to those of us fortunate to live within 2.5km, especially those living alone, and the mental health benefits of access to nature are increasingly recognised. It is the variety of landscapes and habitats that makes St Edmundsbury so special; a historical landscape with a strong sense of place and feeling of connection with past generations. It is amazing that such a beautiful and tranquil place exists within suburban Dublin.
St Edmundsbury is part of an urban wildlife corridor along the Liffey, connecting different habitats and allowing insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals to move safely through the landscape. Urban corridors like this create spaces for people to connect with nature. They also increase our resilience to the impacts of climate change (e.g. reducing temperatures within urban heat islands, or stormwater control and flood management). Ecosystems are becoming increasingly fragmented by busy roads, light pollution, noise and lack of habitat. Parks and green spaces in urban areas are often 'green islands' that lack ecological connectivity.
It is possible for urban development and biodiversity conservation to coexist and enhance each other, and this underpins the National Planning Framework focus on biodiversity, climate action and natural capital.