Tipperary community benefits from Clúid Housing Biodiversity Plan

Clúid Housing’s Biodiversity Plan has been shortlisted for the Irish Council for Social Housing Social Impact Challenge 2024 at the ICSH Finance and Development Conference 2024 on October 16.

In 2021, Clúid launched their Greening Strategy, to set a clear direction for Clúid Housing over the next decade as they work to reduce their environmental impact, contribute to Ireland’s emission reduction targets, and help create a sustainable future.

Enhancing and protecting biodiversity on Clúid schemes was one of the main objectives of that Greening Strategy.

Clúid also recognised the social and health benefits of nature friendly developments and wanted to align the biodiversity plan with promoting resident engagement & social cohesion.

Clúid’s Landscaping and Biodiversity Guide for New Developments is the first of its kind for the sector in Ireland and is endorsed by the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan.

The purpose of guide to provide Developers, Landscape Architects, Horticulturalists, and other relevant stakeholders, with the information required to design and plant public and communal open spaces in developments to protect and enhance biodiversity.

The guide is now a requirement of Clúid’s design and build contracts and is followed by other organisations.

The biodiversity initiative is reflected in the work of Clúid in its Ballygraigue Court scheme in Nenagh.

Multi skilled staff from from Clúid worked with residents of the 85 home scheme to realise their plans to create an inclusive, biodiverse, sensory garden for community use.

Activities have included: a wildflower garden, signage & birdfeeders, a butterfly garden, an orchard, herb-beds and a polytunnel, and preserve making workshops from produce grown onsite.

Speaking on the 2024 Social Impact Challenge, Donal McManus, Chief Executive of the Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH) said: “This award is about recognising an AHB or local authority initiative that has taken a proactive and pioneering approach to improving the sustainability and well-being of the community in which they serve. Clúid Housing’s Biodiversity Plan is a multifaceted AHB project that seeks to shape the environmental impact of not only its own housing operations, but also those of Clúid’s contractors, partners, suppliers and residents.”

Mr McManus added “The 2024 social impact entries demonstrate the dedication of the sector (both AHBs and local authorities) that extends well beyond housing. These projects have supported local partnerships to develop the economic, environmental and social fabric of their communities, with tangible and replicable results.”