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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2560502 - F.I. Received Doc. - Landscape Management Plan LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR EMYVALE HOUSING AT CO. MONAGHAN FOR GEDA. Document Nr: 2447-MLA-XX-XX-RP-L-9020 Issue Status: S4 Revision: P02 Date: 19.06.2026 RECEIVED: 09/07/2026 Emyvale Housing 2 McIlwaine Landscape Architects Project Ref: 2447 June 2026 CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION 2.0 LANDSCAPE OBJECTIVES 3.0 LANDSCAPE PROPOSALS 4.0 PHASING & IMPLEMENTATION 5.0 ESTABLISHMENT MAINTENANCE 6.0 GROUNDS MAINTENANCE AND LONG-TERM MANAGEMENT 7.0 PLANTING PERFORMANCE INDICATORS DRAWINGS/SCHEDULES: 1. SITE LAYOUT & LANDSCAPE PLAN Document Nr: 2447-MLA-XX-XX-DR-L-0001 (and subsequent revisions) 2. DETAILED PLANTING PLAN Document Nr: 2447-MLA-XX-XX-DR-L-0002 (and subsequent revisions) 3. PLANT SCHEDULES Document Nr: 2447-MLA-XX-XX-SH-L-9010 (and subsequent revisions) 4. LANDSCAPE SPECIFICATION Document Nr: 2447-MLA-XX-XX-SP-L-9030 (and subsequent revisions) RECEIVED: 09/07/2026 Emyvale Housing 3 McIlwaine Landscape Architects Project Ref: 2447 June 2026 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Landscape Consultants These landscape proposals have been prepared by McIlwaine Landscape Architects. 1.2 Landscape Context The site is located to the eastern edge of Emyvale, a rural village in County Monaghan. Emyvale lies in the north of the county, around 11 km north of Monaghan Town. The surrounding area is characterised by rolling drumlin landscapes, agricultural land, and small to medium lakes. The site extends to approximately 1.57 hectares and is currently used for grazing sheep and cattle. It is bounded on all sides, north, east, south, and west, by native species hedgerows with occasional gaps and scattered trees. The site’s topography slopes gently from south to north, with ground levels ranging from 71.80 metres AOD in the southwest to 63.27 metres AOD in the southeast. The land then rises towards the centre of the site, reaching a high point of approximately 81.50 metres AOD. 1.3 Proposed Development The project will comprise a housing development featuring a mix of detached, semi-detached, and townhouse units, served by 6-metre- wide carriageways and 2-metre-wide footways. The site will be accessed from the Kiltubbrid Road to the north. Extensive open amenity spaces will be provided along the western edges and centre of the development. These amenity areas will include species-rich grassland, close-mown grass for general use, and new native hedgerows to reinforce site boundaries where required. Groups of native or near-native trees will also be introduced to enhance biodiversity and provide screening between the existing housing and the new development. RECEIVED: 09/07/2026 Emyvale Housing 4 McIlwaine Landscape Architects Project Ref: 2447 June 2026 2.0 LANDSCAPE OBJECTIVES The general aim of the landscape proposals is to conserve the existing boundary trees and hedges, and to develop a comprehensive planting scheme that will help structure the site, enhance the environment of the proposed development, ensuring its integration into the wider landscape setting, providing habitat creation for priority species, with an on-going management programme to ensure a high-quality sustainable environment for the future. The objectives are: -  to implement planting proposals with new tree, hedge and shrub planting of sizes and species to enrich both age and species diversity and to satisfy the requirements of the “secured by design” initiative and BREEAM (if applicable).  to accentuate the existing strong sense of place by supplementing the existing vegetation in neighbouring properties with extensive tree, shrub and hedge planting to give structure to the new development.  to establish areas of species-rich grass to improve biodiversity.  to put in place a long-term management regime.  to replace dead, dying, and hazardous trees, or those affected by development, with a diverse mix of new tree species that will enhance resilience against future pests, diseases and climate change challenges. Mainly indigenous species and naturalised species for hedge, tree and shrub planting have been chosen to provide a long-term increase in tree cover and contribute to wildlife habitats. Tree, hedge and shrub planting are designed to provide a robust mix of deciduous and evergreen plant material. Specimen trees are varieties of native or naturalised species with some ornamental specimens in selected locations to enhance specific areas. Hedge planting has a high proportion of indigenous shrub species to contribute to wildlife habitats and blend in with other existing vegetation in the locality. Amenity and structure shrub planting, associated with boundary walls and fences within the development, is designed to provide a robust mix of deciduous and evergreen material, easily managed to provide various habitat areas, amenity and structure to these elements. RECEIVED: 09/07/2026 Emyvale Housing 5 McIlwaine Landscape Architects Project Ref: 2447 June 2026 3.0 LANDSCAPE PROPOSALS 3.1 Extra Heavy Standard Tree Planting For immediate effect, extensive planting of extra heavy standard trees is included, throughout the development, to provide a strong structure to the layout and to replace dead, dying, and dangerous trees, or trees impacted by development. Species chosen are mainly ornamental varieties of naturalised species more suited to the built environment (e.g. ornamental thorn, maple and birch), attractive to pollinators and of general wildlife interest. Native species have also been specified around the periphery of the site. 3.2 Native Hedge Planting Mixed native species hedging is proposed to provide screening, shelter, and biodiversity benefits. Species have been selected for their amenity value and their ability to create habitats attractive to wildlife. Plants will be installed at a dense spacing, using whips or container-grown stock, to encourage rapid establishment and ensure resilience to site conditions. Existing hedgerows that are currently gappy will be strengthened and enhanced with additional native planting. 3.3 Amenity & Structure Shrub Planting Shrub planting is proposed to provide structure and visual interest in one location within the site. Species have been chosen for ease of maintenance, seasonal effect, sensory value and wildlife interest. Plants will be planted densely as container grown subjects to encourage rapid establishment and maximise adaptability to the conditions encountered. 3.4 Grass areas. Hardwearing grass has been specified for the residents’ private gardens and amenity areas. 3.5 Species Rich Grass Species-rich grass is proposed in areas within the site, containing a wide diversity of vibrant-coloured and attractively textured plants, including Irish native species, to provide ecological benefits and promote biodiversity. This will create wildlife habitats and reduce the need for regular mowing by mechanical means. RECEIVED: 09/07/2026 Emyvale Housing 6 McIlwaine Landscape Architects Project Ref: 2447 June 2026 4.0 PHASING AND IMPLEMENTATION 4.1 Programming for planting works is as follows: - Deciduous trees and shrubs: Late October to late March Conifers and evergreens: September/October or April/May Container grown plants: At any time if ground and weather conditions are favourable, ensuring that adequate watering and weed control are provided. Seeding: Grass sowing: April to June or August to October. Species rich grass seeding: Early March – early May & early August – mid September. 4.2 Planting techniques See Landscape Specification Doc. Nr. 2447-MLA-XX-XX-SP-L-9030 for detailed planting and maintenance specification. 5.0 ESTABLISHMENT MAINTENANCE 5.1 Establishment Maintenance Maintenance for the first growing season after planting/seeding will be the responsibility of the landscape sub-contractor and is detailed within the Landscape Specification Doc. Nr. 2447-MLA-XX-XX-SP-L-9030. 6.0 GROUNDS MAINTENANCE AND LONG-TERM MANAGEMENT 6.1 Long Term Maintenance & Management Long term maintenance & management of the planting and seeded areas, as indicated in green on the following page will be undertaken by contractors engaged by the Management Company. Typical operations are as outlined below and in section Q35 of the Landscape Specification Doc. Nr. 2447-MLA-XX-XX-SP-L-9030. RECEIVED: 09/07/2026 Emyvale Housing 7 McIlwaine Landscape Architects Project Ref: 2447 June 2026 RECEIVED: 09/07/2026 Emyvale Housing 8 McIlwaine Landscape Architects Project Ref: 2447 June 2026 6.2 Existing Trees To be managed in accordance with best arboricultural practices current at the time of assessment and execution of remedial work. 6.3 New Native Species Hedge Boundary Planting After initial pruning to encourage a bushy profile allow to grow on to achieve a tall screen with neighbouring properties. Carry out pruning to remove weak stems or minor damage and to promote shapely well- balanced heads. Gap up as necessary with plants of same species, replacing topsoil, feeding etc as necessary. Those with large evergreen leaves should, where practical, be pruned with secateurs to avoid unsightly damage to the leaves. 6.4 Specimen Trees Years 1-3 Inspect on each maintenance visit to ensure that stakes, ties etc are in good condition and adjust as required to maintain healthy development. Carry out pruning to remove minor damage, to promote a shapely well-balanced head and wind-firm as necessary. Raise crowns of trees adjacent to public roads or to maintain sightlines into amenity areas to attain a clear stem of 2.5 metres minimum. Where trees are in grass verges maintain a minimum diameter of one metre around the base free of weeds and take every precaution to avoid bark damage by maintenance machinery. Replace damaged or failed trees in accordance with the original planting specification, which shall form part of the management documentation. Years 3+ Evaluate when tree stakes and ties etc can be removed and take action when appropriate. Prune trees as required to ensure that the crown does not restrict the passage of high-sided vehicles. Thereafter include in the programmed general assessment (see below). 6.5 Amenity & Structure Shrub Planting. Years 1-5 Maintain in a weed free condition using an approved translocated herbicide. Prune minor damage back to healthy wood and check and treat disease. Gap up to replace damaged or failed plant material in accordance with the original planting specification, which shall form part of the management documentation. Check protective fencing, where used, and maintain in good condition. Top dress ornamental shrubs with 30 gms/m2 of balanced N:P:K fertilizer in July (e.g. 15; 15:15 N:P:K straight agricultural or slow- release type). RECEIVED: 09/07/2026 Emyvale Housing 9 McIlwaine Landscape Architects Project Ref: 2447 June 2026 Carry out developmental pruning to establish and maintain the shape of shrubs.) Years 5-10: - Remove protective fencing as planting becomes fully established. Spot treat persistent weed growth as necessary. Thin out weakest specimens if planting becomes overcrowded. Thereafter include in the programmed general assessment (see below). 6.6 Grass Areas Year 1: - In the first year, the focus is on establishing a healthy sward and controlling weeds. Mowing should begin when the grass reaches a height of 50 mm. For autumn-sown lawns, this should be in March, while for spring-sown lawns, mowing should start approximately six weeks after sowing. The sward should be maintained at a cutting height of 50 mm, with all clippings removed after mowing to prevent smothering and to help maintain low soil fertility. Persistent weeds should be removed by hand or treated on a spot basis as required. Ongoing Maintenance: - Regular mowing should be carried out to maintain a height of 25–50 mm throughout the growing season, with mowing at least once every one to two weeks during periods of peak growth. Excessive clippings should be removed to prevent nutrient build-up. Light fertilisation may be applied if required, but over- fertilisation should be avoided to maintain a robust yet low-nutrient sward. The lawn should also be aerated or scarified occasionally to reduce soil compaction and promote healthy root development. 6.7 Species Rich Grass Areas Year 1: - In the first year, the primary requirement is to control weeds and reduce competition from invasive grasses. For mixtures established in the autumn, the sward should be cut to a height of 50 mm in March, provided there is sufficient growth. For mixtures established in the spring, the sward should be cut to 50 mm approximately six weeks after sowing, if growth allows. Thereafter, the sward should be cut again to 50 mm in early May and once more in September, after flowering. In all cases, cut material should be removed after a seven-day period to avoid smothering the sward and to help maintain low soil fertility. Persistent weeds should be removed by digging out as necessary. Future Maintenance: - The sward should be well established after the first 12 months and contain a diverse range of species. Cut to 50mm after mid-July and leave all cuttings for a few days to allow the dispersal of seeds. The second cut should take place during September/October to keep the sward low and assist seed germination. Remove cuttings to maintain low soil fertility. RECEIVED: 09/07/2026 Emyvale Housing 10 McIlwaine Landscape Architects Project Ref: 2447 June 2026 6.8 General Year 10+: - Programme regular assessment of plants by qualified personnel. Inspections should include plant health and safety and provide the basis for recommendations on thinning operations and replanting schemes depending on establishment and growth rates. 7.0 PLANTING PERFORMANCE INDICATORS 7.1 Planting Performance Indicators Year 5: - Annual maintenance will ensure that all new planting should be, by now, well established with any failures promptly replaced. Specimen trees will have an increased height and spread with those adjacent to public roads or footways having a minimum 2.5 metre clear stem as noted above. Ornamental shrub planting should have almost fully closed canopies. Year 10: - Specimen trees will have an increased height and spread with those adjacent to public roads or footways subjected to necessary pruning according to species/habit. Ornamental shrub planting should generally have formed virtually completely closed canopies. Year 15 - 20: - Increased height and spread of specimen trees will give structure to the development. Ornamental shrub planting should generally be checked for effectiveness and gapped up or replaced as necessary. RECEIVED: 09/07/2026