O’Connor raises Kilnamanagh concerns over wetlands

Tallaght Councillor Charlie O’Connor says he has responded to local concerns in Kilnamanagh regarding proposed wetlands on Tree Park Road by raising the issue with Council Management.

“This is an important matter for Kilnamanaght FC and the local community and I will continue to give the issue his particular attention,” Fianna Fail Cllr O Connor said.

The proposed wetland in Kilnamanagh will be adjacent to Ned Kelly Park, with two other proposed wetlands planned for Dodder Valley Park on the Bawnville side of the River Dodder, close to the red footbridge.

According to the council the Kilnamanagh wetland will be used to combat the highly polluted water in the Kilnamanagh Stream.

Because the wetland will have steep sides it will need to be fenced and landscaped.

At the Tallaght Area Committee Cllr O Connor requested an update on plans for the land on Tree Park Road, Kilnamanagh, close to the Kilnamanagh Football Club Pitches.

In a response the CEO told Charlie O’Connor that:

“There is a plan in place for the development of an integrated constructed wetland on the open space in Kilnamangh between Treepark Road and the boundary with the M50.

“This project which is part of the Dublin Urban River LIFE (DURL) Project is currently at the public consultation phase of the Part 8 planning process.

“A number of presentations have been made in recent months to the area committees regarding this plan for Kilnamanagh and other ICWs planned for other parts of the county.

“Arising from the planned construction work it is expected that there will be a substantial quantity of surplus soil which will be used to regulate the level of the site which has been used for the holding of bonfires at Halloween.

“This area will be filled and properly landscaped to bring it to a similar standard as the remainder of the open space and it is hoped that this improvement will act as a deterrent to the holding of bonfires there.

“The Council’s Public Realm Section gave an undertaking some years ago to construct a footpath around the perimeter of this site and it is intended that this will be done following the construction of the ICW.

“The Public Realm Section and the DURL project will work together to deliver a coherent design for this area.”