Tender for the provision of consultancy services to review and update the Landscape Character Assessment (2004) for County Kildare

Description

Kildare County Council is inviting tenders from suitably qualified and experienced, multidisciplinary consultant to provide consultancy services relating to the review and update of the Landscape Character Assessment Report (2004) (LCA) for the County. The current LCA is contained in Chapter 13 (Landscape, Recreation and Amenity) of the Kildare CDP 2023-2029, which came into effect on the 28th January 2023. The project will include the preparation of the LCA, which shall take into account the historical, cultural, religious and other understandings of the landscape and, in parallel to the preparation of the LCA, produce a Historical Landscape Characterisation of the County. In addition, the Consultant shall review, assess and evaluate existing and emerging scenic routes and protected views of the county and prepare detailed guidance in relation to views and prospects of special amenity value along scenic routes occurring within the boundaries of Local Area Plans. The statutory framework and guidelines informing the preparation of the LCA are set out at Appendix One. The LCA will be used to inform the development of related key strategy documents (e.g. a Renewable Energy Strategy for KCC), which will be subject to a separate procurement process. Please note that the preparation of the associated Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), Appropriate Assessment (AA) Screening and Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) Reports will also be subject to a separate procurement process. The process of preparing the LCA for incorporation into the County Development Plan will be delivered in two stages: the first being the preparation of the review and update of the existing LCA by the appointed consultant, which will comprise steps (0-6). Step 0 being the initial project inception meeting between the Kildare County Council project team and the appointed consultant and Steps 1 to 6 shall comprise the process of preparing the review and update of the LCA by the appointed consultant. The appointed consultant may also be requested by Kildare County Council to assist with the drafting of policies and objectives that arise as a result of the LCA process. Stage 2 will be the responsibility of the Kildare County Council project team and will comprise the incorporation of the LCA into the County Development Plan by way of Variation in full accordance with the statutory requirements of Section 13 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended).