This project was undertaken after the construction permit had been applied for in relation to a PV farm which would provide power to the adjoining hotel complex.
The site is part of an old estate on the western outskirts of Dublin City. Tree cover on the site ranged in age from Veteran (early 1800’s) to 40-50 years old. The site was previously developed as a golf course which is now closed. The site is also located along a designated green infrastructure corridor.
The initial proposal would have seen the removal of at least 1/3 of the existing tree cover, some 1,200 mature trees. Many of the trees are veteran Oak and Beech. Given this, it was unlikely that the construction permit (planning permission) would be granted for the development as it was.
The first step was to accurately map and survey all the trees on the site and their root protection zones. Next, we worked closely with the engineering team to replot the PV panels and optimise their location in relation to the existing trees. What resulted was a close to net zero tree removal and more PV panels for the development, so increased installed kwh capacity.
In the final plan, only 10 no. out of an approximate 3,500 trees are now to be removed. 6no. trees are to be removed to facilitate a new walking trail, and 4no. trees are to be removed to facilitate the current application.
Some of the existing woodland areas were fragmented and not connected to each other. New planting of over 200 trees of Oak, Scots Pine, Wild Cherry, Birch and Beech will connect the existing tree corridors into a continuous line. Once the development proceeds to construction stage there will be an extensive tree and woodland management programme implemented to ensure that these woodland areas continue to thrive into the future.
