Council receives compensatory habitat from daa

Dublin Airport Authority (daa) has announced that it is gifting an eight-hectare compensatory habitat at Kilsallaghan in North County Dublin to Fingal County Council for the nominal cost of €10.

This land, which daa had previously purchased at market value, is being announced at the start of Biodiversity Week, a time dedicated to celebrating and promoting the importance of biodiversity conservation.

The open area compensatory habitat at Kilsallaghan is a meticulously developed area designed to support a variety of native flora and fauna, providing a sanctuary for wildlife.

While the compensatory landscape is effectively a “rewilded” area with restricted access to the general public.

Fingal County Council will provide managed and supervised access to the site by arrangement, mainly for educational purposes, to ensure the ecological value of the habitat is not compromised.

The eight-hectare wildlife habitat supporting ecology and biodiversity has been planted with native wildflowers, shrubs, and trees that support local wildlife.

The ecological habitat at Kilsallaghan is a good example of how the protection of our biodiversity can align with development.

The habitat comprises of approximately two-thirds woodland and one-third native grassland. Additionally, a specially constructed bat roost has been installed to encourage the bat population.

This follows the removal of 15.8 kilometres of hedgerow on the airport campus during the construction of Dublin Airport’s North Runway.

The ecological habitat at Kilsallaghan will be a haven for wildlife with native wildflowers, shrubs, and trees.

While the compensatory habitat was a requirement under Condition 24 of the planning conditions for the permission granted for the North Runway project, daa has transferred ownership of the lands to Fingal County Council for a nominal €10.

This site is located at Thornton, near Coolquay, approximately six kilometres northwest of Dublin Airport.

Andrea Carroll, Group Director of Sustainability at daa, reiterated the company’s commitment to environmental stewardship.

“We are delighted to gift the compensatory habitat at Kilsallaghan to the people of Fingal.

“This initiative underscores our dedication to supporting biodiversity, nature regeneration, and fostering the connection between community and the natural environment,” said Andrea Carroll.

Kevin Halpenny, Senior Parks and Landscape Officer with Fingal County Council, said: “Fingal has a rich and varied biodiversity and one of the challenges for the Council is to manage the development and growth of Fingal in a way that maintains and enhances our biodiversity for future generations.

“This compensatory habitat, which replaces 15.8km of hedgerow, is a good example of how we can align the protection of our biodiversity with development.”

Áine Kirrane, daa’s Group Environmental Manager, highlighted the collaborative efforts involved in developing the habitat. “This project has been a collaborative effort involving various departments and local stakeholders, especially Fingal County Council.

“We are proud to see it come to fruition and to offer this valuable resource to the community,” Áine Kirrane stated.