Biodiversity plan for Brittas Bay to enhance conservation

DISTRICT Engineer Kevin Scanlon gave an outline at the different projects taking place at Monday’s monthly meeting of Wicklow Municipal District.

Last month the District was involved with 20 social housing transfers, while another 29 are being dealt with this month.

‘There has been a large increase in workload regarding housing transfers. Current tenants are being allocated new houses and we have to re-let their existing home. It’s great but we are very busy,’ said Mr Scanlon.

A plan to protect the unique biodiversity of Brittas Bay is also under consideration by Wicklow County Council.

The Dunes at Brittas Bay are part of a complex of coastal habitats that includes Buckroney Dunes, and which are designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

However, the biodiversity of the site suffers from amenity pressures and Wicklow County Council is looking at implementing a programme of actions to facilitate improved management for biodiversity and enhance the conservation status of the site.

‘The Heritage Office and Deirdre Burns are leading the project and have been allocated €10,000 for works. A public meeting was held to talk to interested people.

‘Initial works have commenced which focus on trialling mowing plots to inform an appropriate grazing regime. It’s starting with a section of the north beach,’ said Mr Scanlon.

Backlighting plans for Wicklow town’s historical sites also remain ongoing.

‘The Town Team got some funding for the backlighting and we have appointed a contractor. Now we are trying to sort of electrical connections with ESB.

‘Some of the sites already have connections, but there are some at sites like the Black Castle and the Abbey Grounds, where there is no connection at all,’ added Mr Scanlon.