Appendix 7: Landscape Character Areas Landscape Assessment Study and Landscape Character Areas Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) attempts to describe landscapes in terms of their character in an objective way. This can be used to inform decision making in relation to the protection of the environment, natural resources and heritage, to monitor change and to guide development. The Landscape Character Assessment for Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown divides the County into 14 Landscape Character Areas. A description of each Landscape Character Area and principles for development for each are detailed. The original LCA was finalised in May 2002 and has subsequently been updated in the 2010 – 2016 Plan and also for this current County Development Plan. The Department of Arts Heritage and the Gaelteacht’s National Landscape Strategy for Ireland, 2014 – 2024, when finalised is likely to include new guidance on carrying out LCA. It is envisaged that the existing assessment will be reviewed in due course to ensure consistency with any new forthcoming Government guidance. Description Sensitivity/Strategy 1.Kilmashogue Valley Kilmashogue Valley is currently one This enclosure is bounded by the M50 of the County’s finest unspoilt motorway to the north, Glendoo to the valley landscapes, which is south, Tibradden Mountain to the West currently not protected by any and Kilmashogue to the east. Because this particular status. Any development is an area of high relief, the boundaries in this valley should be carefully are actually landform features. considered and be in sympathy with the existing landscape. The The upper reaches of this enclosure – i.e. upper portion of the valley has not the upper valley between Tibradden Lane been affected by large-scale and Kilmashogue Lane is almost afforestation. completely hidden from the view of the Existing deciduous trees especially rest of the enclosure and indeed the those around Larch Hill shall be outside world. This portion of the afforded continuing protection. enclosure retains its rural feel with Buildings – the rural character of planned older hedges retained in the the built fabric of the valley shall main. In the higher reaches, sheep graze be maintained along with the in the fields. This is essentially an upland avoidance of suburbanisation. Any grazing area. Some field boundaries take permitted development shall be the form of stone walls. The upper vernacular in design, mass and reaches have been afforested but not to scale and in accordance with the the same extent as other upland areas in policies of the Development Plan. the County. Roads - any plans for road realignment or improvements shall Further down valley again, the field take account of the existing pattern becomes larger, the development hedgerows. more concentrated and the features of a Pylons and masts – careful large urban settlement in the form of consideration shall be taken of any pylons and the M50 motorway begin to proposals for pylon schemes to impinge on the landscape. traverse the valley. Afforestation (coniferous species) – careful consideration shall be given to the landscape impact of large scale afforestation on the upper reaches of either Kilmashogue or Tibradden Mountain. Resist aspirations for large scale residential development. Ensure protection of non- designated sites. Protect existing hedgerows particularly those identified as 1 Description Sensitivity/Strategy priority hedgerows in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown hedgerow survey. 2. Western Half of Kellystown Road Existing hedgerows and stone walls This enclosure is bounded by Kilmashogue shall be maintained. Mountain to the west, Three Rock to the Deciduous trees in the river valley south, the M50 motorway to the north and shall be protected. a small rocky outcrop (the remains of a Roads – any plans for road quarry) to the east. improvements shall take account of the existing hedgerows. The area runs steeply upwards from the Pylons and masts – careful motorway. St Columba’s school (originally consideration shall be taken of any Hollybrook House) is at the Northern end proposals for pylon schemes to of the enclosure. The M50 Motorway traverse the County. effectively contains this enclosure. Some Afforestation (coniferous species) – suburban development has infiltrated up careful consideration shall be given the valley. Individual fields give way to to the landscape impact of large Stackstown Golf Course which ends with scale afforestation. the tree line of Kilmashogue Woods Protect existing hedgerows stretching upwards to Kilmashogue particularly those identified as Mountain and eastwards to Three Rock priority hedgerows in the Dún Mountain. Views in the upper reaches Laoghaire-Rathdown hedgerow have been obscured by coniferous survey. plantations. At the bend on Kellystown Lane the view downwards to the city is obscured by a line of pylons traversing the enclosure. The Little Dargle River valley is delineated by deciduous trees along its reaches. 3.Ticknock Road Regard to be had to the restoration From the top of the enclosure one obtains and conservation of field patterns. a panoramic view of the city. A line of Building – any permitted pylons again traverses the view. From the development shall be vernacular in upper reaches of the valley existing design, scale and mass and shall development appears to nestle discreetly nestle into the existing landscape. in hollows or wooded areas. The Pylons and Masts – careful coniferous treeline along Three Rock consideration shall be given to provides a stark boundary to the east. The proposals for pylon schemes traditional planned field pattern is traversing the landscape. delineated by stone walls and hedgerows. Afforestation – careful Afforestation has altered the landscape. consideration shall be given to landscape impact of large scale coniferous afforestation and resultant harvesting on the upper reaches of the Mountains bounding this enclosure. Closing off of the slopes shall be avoided. Existing parklands associated with demesne houses shall be treated on an individual basis. It is recommended that historical survey and analysis be carried out prior to any alterations. 2 Description Sensitivity/Strategy Description Sensitivity/Strategy priority hedgerows in the Dún 4.Marlay Park Laoghaire-Rathdown hedgerow To progress the Masterplan for survey. This enclosure contains Marlay House and Marlay Demesne with a focus on 18th century demesne which is one of the the conservation of the heritage of 2. Western Half of Kellystown Road largest to remain intact in the entire Marlay Park, the provision of Existing hedgerows and stone walls County of Dublin. A portion of the original quality recreational facilities, This enclosure is bounded by Kilmashogue shall be maintained. demesne is now a public park with much maintaining the highest standard of Mountain to the west, Three Rock to the Deciduous trees in the river valley of the original estate wall still intact. horticultural and landscape south, the M50 motorway to the north and shall be protected. Marlay Park provides a good buffer presentation and increasing a small rocky outcrop (the remains of a Roads – any plans for road between the foothills of the Dublin accessibility of the Park, Marlay quarry) to the east. improvements shall take account of Mountains and the built up area of the House and its amenities. the existing hedgerows. city. The area runs steeply upwards from the Pylons and masts – careful motorway. St Columba’s school (originally consideration shall be taken of any 5. Kiltiernan Plain Hollybrook House) is at the Northern end proposals for pylon schemes to There is a risk that continued linear of the enclosure. The M50 Motorway traverse the County. This is a large enclosure which comprises development along the road effectively contains this enclosure. Some Afforestation (coniferous species) – the hillocky plain lying between Three between Kiltiernan and Stepaside suburban development has infiltrated up careful consideration shall be given Rock to the west, Newtown, Barnaslingan will simply merge the two villages the valley. Individual fields give way to to the landscape impact of large (The Scalp) and Carrickgollogan to the into a continuous built up strip. Stackstown Golf Course which ends with scale afforestation. south, the disused lead mines and Settlement strategy shall the tree line of Kilmashogue Woods Protect existing hedgerows chimney to the east. The enclosure is concentrate on the consolidation of stretching upwards to Kilmashogue particularly those identified as curtailed to the north by the coniferous these villages along with the Mountain and eastwards to Three Rock priority hedgerows in the Dún plantation on Three Rock. The edge of provision of a substantial open Mountain. Views in the upper reaches Laoghaire-Rathdown hedgerow Stepaside Area Action Plan and Ticknick space buffer zone between the two have been obscured by coniferous survey. also forms a boundary to the north east. to prevent coalescence. To have plantations. At the bend on Kellystown regard to the policies and Lane the view downwards to the city is This enclosure is characterised by a series objectives of Kiltiernan/Glenamuck obscured by a line of pylons traversing the of smaller hillocks within a plain. Roads Local Area Plan 2013. enclosure. The Little Dargle River valley is run between the undulations most notably Protect existing hedgerows delineated by deciduous trees along its the main Enniskerry Road running north- particularly those