3. Baseline Analysis - Landscape
Weighting
Topic
Very Low
Low
Medium
High
Very High
Baseline Analysis
Landscape
A landscape which is dominated by dereliction and neglect with evidence of anti-social behaviour such as graffiti, vandalism and littering.
A landscape where change is likely to be positive.
A landscape, streetscape or townscape where the elements are not valued and is therefore not sensitive to change and where change is unlikely to be detrimental.
Landscape types to include but not limted to :-
Industrial landscapes
Infrastructural landscapes including major transport corridors
Degraded urban streetscapes
Unmaintained wastelands
A landscape, streetscape or townscape that exhibits positive characters is locally important and whose character, landuse, pattern and scale would have the capacity to accommodate change
A landscape , streetscape or townscape feature with significant merit or character that create a sense of place – walls, structures, fountains, entrances, boundaries, sculptures and landmarks.
Landscape types to include but not limited to:-
Residential suburban landscapes with established garden planting
Roadside Open Spaces including semi privates residential spaces and local parks/sports grounds
Road corridors with substantial street tree planting
Intact urban streetscapes
Agricultural lands
A landscape, streetscape or townscape widely acknowledged as containing elements of national importance. National designation may apply
A landscape containing features of ecological, historical, sociocultural or national importance
A landscape acknowledged for its quality and value having few negative elements.
A landscape having the capacity to accommodate change to a certain degree
Landscape types to include but not limit to:-
Historical city centre and core urban villages
Urban centre open spaces and plazas
Significant urban specimen trees and tree groups including those with tree preservation orders
District Parks and Historic landscape or parkland
Greenbelt areas as defined in the Development Plan
A landscape , streetscape or townscape protected by an International or national designation, (Special Area Amenity Order (SAAO), candidate Special Area of Conservation (cSAC), pNHA, etc.)
A landscape widely acknowledged for its distinctive features and the quality and value of its elements and edge condition
A landscape with distinctive character and low capacity to accommodate change
Absence of negative elements, e.g. traffic, noise, dereliction, unmanaged areas
Landscape types to include but not limited to:-
Historical streetscapes and urban set pieces
Nationally important open spaces and parkland

4. Baseline Analysis - Visual
Weighting
Topic
Very Low
Low
Medium
High
Very High
Baseline Analysis
Visual
Viewer Groups
(Visual Amenity)
Little or no interest
(Is this possible ?)
Viewers with a passive or temporary view of the landscape such as motorists
Viewers with a passing interest in their surroundings or whose
interest is not specifically focused on the landscape
Viewers within an exclusively trafficked landscape (i.e. a major
roadway or adjacent to one with no mitigation)
Viewers with a moderate interest in their environment such as recreational travellers and less frequent users of recreational facilities who are likely to experience the type of change resulting from the proposed scheme as an adverse (or positive) change in their view and/or the quality of the existing view, as likely to be perceived by the viewer, is assessed as being medium
Viewers within a landscape dominated by traffic. Visual condition of the landscape is degraded
Viewers with a proprietary interest and prolonged viewing opportunities such as residents and frequent commuters or recreational users who are likely to experience the type of change resulting from the proposed scheme as an adverse (or positive) change in their view and/or the quality of the existing view, as likely to be perceived by the viewer, is assessed as being high
Some visual discordance in landscape. Traffic movements distracting visually but not predominant
Views from high usage public spaces
Areas containing protected views as outlined in the relevant Development Plans
Viewers with a profound interest in the view such as direct observers (e.g. from a restaurant, local park), views from local residential properties and residential care units with direct views to the proposed scheme
Views from areas of recognised high visual value due to architectural or landscape merit, e.g. Georgian Streets or Squares, major tourist attractions.

5. Medium Impact Magnitude
Impact Analysis - Landscape
Topic
Weighting
Low Impact Magnitude
Medium Impact Magnitude
High Impact Magnitude
Landscape and Visual - suburban and transport corridors
100–250m
50–100m
0–50m
Landscape and Visual - urban and suburban defined townscapes
All landscape and visual receptors within a defined townscape weighted equally, i.e. medium to high as per the criteria in Table 11.2

6. Impact Analysis – Landscape - Baseline
Typical sections

7. Impact Analysis – Landscape - Baseline Descriptive
Description of Baseline Landscape and Visual Environment
Baseline Rating and Landscape Sensitivity
Capacity for Change/Description of Impact
Impact Magnitude
Impact Significance
Possible Design Mitigation
Section 1 – Clongriffen to Grange Road
At the Clongriffen terminus of the route the landscape is characterised by a mix of newly established residential developments with associated open spaces and tree lined access routes alongside undeveloped and partially developed sites. This route section also runs through more mature residential areas with roadside public and semi-private open space of a generally low landscape value – mainly amenity mown grassland, remnant hedgerows with occasional underdeveloped trees.
The boundary railing associated planting and pedestrian realm associated with the Father Collins Park forms a section of the roadside boundary along with fenced playing fields.
Generally wide road corridors along proposed routes with a mix of young to semi-mature street trees to grass and planted verges.
Variable pedestrian connectivity along road corridors with limited openings to parks / open space and residential developments.
This Sections study area includes a portion of the Estuary Landscape Character Area as designated in the current Fingal County Council Development Plan 3 but impacts on this Character area, which is classed in the Development Plan as having a high landscape sensitivity, are avoided as it is physical y and visually separated from the route alignment by the Dublin to Belfast Railway line and existing development. There are direct views from residential properties to the road corridor especially from upper floor residential units and private balconies.
medium
Spacious road corridors with some capacity for change. The removal of establishing street trees to facilitate the BRT works, where the road corridor configurations may be altered, may impact on the tree lined avenues as they mature with gaps reducing the effectiveness of an overall landscape avenue structure.
Roadside landscape and boundaries to established public open space and open space areas associated with adjoining residential developments may be impacted if road corridor dimensions alter.
Quality of views to the roads from adjoining residential areas and road users not likely to be significantly impacted as views are already currently occupied by elements of road infrastructure
low
moderate
Possible to reconfigure pedestrian realm to improve local connectivity.
New roadside planting to replace any lost to facilitate the scheme. As avenue planting in the newer development areas are generally young to semi mature trees they haven’t yet established a strong canopy presence on the road corridor and.so replacement planting can be considered as effective mitigation to replace any lost due to the works.
A tree management strategy to be put in place where works are proposed in proximity to retained mature trees or hedgerows.
Description of
the Baseline Landscape and Visual Environment
A baseline rating is assigned
Capacity for change is analysed
Impact magnitude is assigned (based on matrix)
Impact significance is assigned
Mitigation measures are proposed

8. Impact Analysis – Landscape - Baseline
Typical sections

9. Impact Analysis – Landscape - Baseline Descriptive
Description of Baseline Landscape and Visual Environment
Baseline Rating and Landscape Sensitivity
Capacity for Change/Description of Impact
Impact Magnitude
Impact Significance
Possible Design Mitigation
Section 2 – Donaghmede to Coolock
Generally transport corridors running along sections of the Malahide Road and the N32 with limited pedestrian and vehicular openings to adjoining residential areas, vacant lands and commercial premises.
Roadside landscapes typically consisting of grass verges with intermittent immature to semi mature street trees in grass verges of varying widths. Roadside boundary’s vary with walls and low wall and railings to residential areas and planted and railed boundaries to commercial elements along the route. Established hedges and planting to the central median reduces the visual extent of the road corridor and are important landscape elements.
Viewers generally having a passive or temporary view of the landscape such as motorists. Views from residential areas general limited to views from upper floors or oblique views across private garden areas or public open space.
low
As the landscape character is predominately one of transport corridors, additional elements associated with a BRT transport system would have little overall impact on both road users and the quality of the existing environment.
The segregated nature of the current transport corridor could be improved with a more integrated path network and improved public realm along the proposed BRT route.
Roadside landscape and boundaries may be impacted if road corridor dimensions alter.
Quality of views to the roads from adjoining residential areas and road users not likely to be significantly impacted as views are already currently occupied by elements of road infrastructure
medium
moderate
It may be possible to reconfigure the pedestrian realm and linkages at locations to improve the pedestrian environment and local connectivity.
New roadside planting to replace any lost to facilitate the scheme to comply with the DCDP objective ‘To replace all trees removed with an appropriate species, where the removal of street or roadside trees is necessary.
A tree management strategy to be put in place where works are proposed in proximity to retained mature trees or hedgerows.
Description of
the Baseline Landscape and Visual Environment
A baseline rating is assigned
Capacity for change is analysed
Impact magnitude is assigned (based on matrix)
Impact significance is assigned
Mitigation measures are proposed

10. Impact Analysis – Landscape - Baseline
Typical sections

11. Impact Analysis – Landscape - Baseline Descriptive
Description of Baseline Landscape and Visual Environment
Baseline Rating and Landscape Sensitivity
Capacity for Change/Description of Impact
Impact Magnitude
Impact Significance
Possible Design Mitigation
Section 3 – Donaghmede to Coolock via Tonlegee Road
Generally wide road corridor along Grange Road with street trees, grass verges and pockets of roadside open space containing mown grassland and tree planting. Roadside boundary’s vary with walls to rear gardens and gable ends to residential areas and planted and railed boundaries to commercial and institutional elements along the route including the suburban village centre at Donamede shopping centre and Grangemore Church. Generally good pedestrian linkages.
Along the Tonlegee Road there are older residential, mainly semi-detached units facing the road, many of which have access to off-street parking to front garden areas. This street has generally wider grass verges with more mature avenue trees creating a strong landscape structure for the street. Original front garden boundaries here are generally intact and many gardens have mature tree and shrub planting.
Along Grange Road there are limited direct views of the road corridor from adjoining residential properties. Along Tonlegee Road there are more direct views of the road corridor from adjacent housing. However views are partially screened where there are mature front gardens with associated tree and shrub planting.
medium
Due to the varying width of roadside grass verges and quantity of incidental open spaces the streets have the capacity to accommodate change to a certain degree with limited impact on the townscape character.
Mature street trees within restricted grass verges may be impacted in any reduction in softscape area or verges.
Quality of views to the road from adjoining residential areas and from road users are not likely to be significantly impacted as views are currently occupied by elements of road infrastructure. .
moderate
The varying width of the road corridor allows selected locations with a greater capacity for change, where expansion of the carriageway could be accommodated with careful detailing and scheme design.
New roadside planting to replace any lost to facilitate the scheme to comply with the DCDP objective ‘To replace all trees removed with an appropriate species, where the removal of street or roadside trees is necessary.
A tree management strategy to be put in place where works are proposed in proximity to retained mature trees.
Description of
the Baseline Landscape and Visual Environment
A baseline rating is assigned
Capacity for change is analysed
Impact magnitude is assigned (based on matrix)
Impact significance is assigned
Mitigation measures are proposed

12. Mitigation Strategy Hierarchy Options
General Mitigation Measures (Sample only)
Mitigation Strategy
Description
Avoidance of impact
Environmental constraints have been identified through baseline assessment, planning and design.
Reduction of impact
Elements of the scheme design are designed to have a minimal impact.
Proposed landscape improvements will replicate natural features, be appropriate to the setting and be in keeping with the landscape / townscape character of the area.
Remedy of impact
Where the scheme causes negative impacts or is routed through sensitive landscapes or townscape, the scheme’s impacts are mitigated through:
General Mitigation Measure, e.g. form of planting. The aim of the mitigation strategy is to reduce the effect and visual impact on the landscape and viewers
Specific Mitigation Measures to suit a local condition will be proposed where a localised impact is being mitigated or to address a specific landscape/architectural character area
General Design Phase Mitigation Measure (GMM)
Ref No.
Description of Mitigation Measure
GMM 1
The BRT option will be integrated into the baseline environment in an ecologically sensitive manner (where required). Landscape treatments will complement the surrounding ecological network and will counter the potential barrier and fragmentation effect of the BRT option along with compensation for loss of habitat, in consultation with a suitably qualified ecologist as necessary.
G M M 2
At specific areas, there will be a requirement for particular screening of sensitive receptors. These will be established in an appropriate planting typology with a specific emphasis on quick establishment of a screen, with larger material to create screening and effective planting for the long term.
G M M 3
Consideration will be given to the local landscape/townscape character area and context of the BRT route option in the preparation of the landscape design. The landscape design aims to retain and reinforce regional and local identity where possible. For example, tree species appropriate to the context should be chosen for each location, whether that be native or introduced. Where avenues have been impacted matching street trees will be chosen to help reinforce the landscape structure of the townscape.

13. Multi Criteria Analysis Decision on the Preferred Route (EPR)

14. Conclusions of Analysis
And
Design proposals