Planning application submitted for sensory garden in this Kildare park

A Part 8 planning application has been lodged by Kildare County Council for the creation of a sensory garden at St Catherine's Park, Leixlip, Co Kildare.

A wide variety of features and interventions is proposed for the park. These include new hedging, grassed amenity areas, seating areas, a sculpture, tree-planting and a recreation area.

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A summary of the proposed works for the creation of a sensory garden is as follows:
• Planting of semi-mature trees such as Amelanchier sp.
• Planting of heavy standard trees such as Acer freemanii
• Planting of feathered trees such as Crataegus sp.
• Planting of various multi-stem/small trees such as Prunus avium and Sorbus spp.
• Planting of large shrub species such as Hamamelis x intermedia, Viburnum and Sambuccus
• Creation of a new hedge of Fagus sylvatica
• Creation of new planting beds
• Creation of a wildflower meadow of 500m2
• Creation of grassed areas with seed
• Creation of amenity (grassed) areas
• Installation of timber lawn edging
• Creation of new tarmac surfaced footpaths
• Installation of 8 no. benches
• Installation of smoothed granite boulders
• Creation and seeding of earthen mounds
• Installation of paved areas

The proposal has undergone Appropriate Assessment Screening under the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC), and the relevant provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended, and the European Communities (Bird and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011-2015.

Kildare County Council has determined that the proposed development would not be likely to have a significant effect on a European site and that a Stage 2 Appropriate Assessment (AA) is not required.
The proposal has also undergone screening for Environmental Impact Assessment under the EIA Directive 2011/92/EU as amended by Directive 2014/52/EU and the relevant provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended.

Kildare County Council has determined that there is no real likelihood of significant effects on the environment arising from the proposed development and that an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is not required.

In accordance with Section 120(3) of the Planning and Development Regulations (as amended) any person may, within 4 weeks from the date of publication of this notice, apply to An Bord Pleanála for a screening determination as to whether the development would be likely to have significant effects on the environment.
Plans and particulars of the proposed development Part 8 Ref No. P82025.05 will be available for inspection and/or purchase at a fee at Public Display Area, Level 1, Kildare County Council, Devoy Park, Naas Co Kildare, W91 X77F (Fri 20/06/2025 to Fri 18/07/2025 during office hours.)

Plans and particulars of the proposed development including the AA and EIA Screening Reports and a record of the main reasons and considerations supporting the determination not to require an EIA and AA will also be available online at
https://consult.kildarecoco.ie/en/consultation/p8202504-sensory-garden-st-catherine’s-park-leixlip

Submissions or observations with respect to the proposed development, dealing with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area in which the development would be situated, may be made in writing to: Senior Parks and Landscaping Officer Parks & Open Spaces, Level 7, Kildare County Council, Aras Chill Dara, Devoy Park, Naas Co Kildare, W91 X77F or online via https://consult.kildarecoco.ie/en/consultation/p8202504-sensory-garden-st-catherine’s-park-leixlip

Submissions must be made no later than 5.00pm on Friday 01/08/2025.

Late submissions will not be accepted.
Submissions should be titled "Proposed Development: A Sensory Garden at St. Catherine’s Park, Leixlip, Co. Kildare."