Fine Gael TD for Dublin West, Leo Varadkar, has called on Fingal County Council review its pilot ‘Growing Places’ policy under which a large number of open spaces and green areas are being allowed to grow wild. The policy is supposed to encourage greater biodiversity by allowing weed and wild flower to grow which in turn attract birds and insects like butterflies and ladybirds.
‘I have received a large number of complaints from residents in recent days about the council’s decision not cut the grass on open space and woodland areas in Dublin 15. In some places like Delwood, residents are particularly aggrieved as they can no long use their local park to play to football or other ball games. In other areas, residents are concerned about vermin and find the uncut areas to be unsightly.’
‘I can see the case for trying this out around woodlands or on a relatively small part of a large open space but I do not think that whole parks should be allow to go wild in this way. I am calling on the council to review its policy and scale back the areas affected’
List of areas affected in Dublin 15:
Open Spaces included in the Growing Places Initiative in Dublin 15
Beechpark Clonsilla All mounds along boundary of the park and under mature trees.
Millennium Park, Blanchardstown Selected areas in park excluding outdoor events area and active zone.
Portersgate, Clonsilla All woodland areas and fringes.
Mount Symon Green Strip between Mount Symon and Portersgate
Delwood Park Selected area on main OS.
Willow Green, Hartstown On open space under and around old hedgerow.
Rusheeny Green Strip on OS between Rusheeny and Westhaven.
Cherryfield Park, Hartstown Selected area on main OS.
Orchard Estate, Coolmine Strip along woodland fringe.
Castlefield Park, Clonsilla Area under and around mature trees.
Georgian Village, Castleknock Selected area on main OS.
Deerpark Drive, Castleknock Area under and around trees.
Park Drive Close, Castleknock Woodland areas and fringe.
Laurel Lodge, Castleknock Area in vicinity of mature trees on main OS.
Ladyswell Park, Mulhuddart Selected areas excluding pitches.
Tolka Valley, Damastown Areas excluding pitches.
Waterville Park, Tolka Valley On mounds and under trees.
Wellview, Mulhuddart On main OS, excluding pitches.
Warrenstown Vale, Mulhuddart Selected areas along stream.
Tyrrelstown. Selected strips adjacent to hedgerows on OS to north & west of estate.
St. Catherine’s Park Wildflower meadow adjacent to Liffey.
In addition to the above another seven areas have been selected where herbicide applications will be eliminated, and understorey planting introduced. All of these areas are exiting tree plantations. They are as follows:
Castleknock Road: Under existing trees opposite entrance to Georgian Village to Auburn Avenue junction.
Glenville Green: Under trees on OS.
Delwood Park: Under trees on OS.
Sycamore Avenue: Under trees on OS.
Oakview Drive: Under hedgerow and 3m either side.
Beechpark Avenue: Under trees at junction with Castleknock Road.
Laurel Lodge: Under trees on OS.