Cork LECP 2024-2029 Final SEA Screening

STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSSMENT SCREENING REPORT Cork City Council Local Economic and Community Plan 2024-2029

Prepared for Cork City Council under SI 435 of 2004 as amended

May 2024

CONTENTS

1 Introduction – Strategic Policy Context......................................................................................................3

1.1 Strategic Environmental Assessment.................................................................................................3

1.2 Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP)......................................................................................4

2 Cork City Council LECP (The Plan) ..............................................................................................................6

2.1 Introduction .....................................................................................................................................6

2.2 Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028 ............................................................................................6

2.3 The Plan Process...............................................................................................................................8

3 Summary of current Environmental Baseline in Cork City.........................................................................13

3.1 Biodiversity, Flora and Fauna .......................................................................................................... 13

3.2 Population and Human Health Population.......................................................................................14

3.3 Soil ................................................................................................................................................. 15

3.4 Water ............................................................................................................................................. 15

3.5 Air and Climate ............................................................................................................................... 16

3.6 Material Assets ............................................................................................................................... 17

3.7 Cultural Heritage ............................................................................................................................ 18

3.8 Landscape ...................................................................................................................................... 19

4 Schedule 2a Screening Assessment .........................................................................................................26

4.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 26

4.2 Draft Strategic Environmental Assessment Screening Determination...............................................40

Annex A: SEA Evaluation of HLG and Actions ...............................................................................................................42

This report has been prepared by Minogue Environmental Consulting Ltd with all reasonable skill, care and diligence. Information reported herein is based on the interpretation of data collected and has been accepted in good faith as being accurate and valid. This report is prepared for Cork City Council and we accept no responsibility to third parties to whom this report, or any part thereof, is made known. Any such party relies on the report at their own risk.

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SEA Screening Report: Cork City Council Local Economic and Community Plan

Introduction – Strategic Policy Context

1.1

Strategic Environmental Assessment

The European Union Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Directive (2001/42/EC) requires an environmental assessment be carried out for all plans that are prepared for certain specified sectors, including land use of which the Cork City Council Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP) (the Plan) relates. The following Regulations transpose this Directive into Irish law: • The European Communities (Environmental Assessment of Certain Plans and Programmes) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 435 of 2004), • The Planning and Development (Strategic Environmental Assessment) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 436 of 2004) and further amended by • S.I. No. 200 of 2011 (European Communities (Environmental Assessment of Certain Plans and Programmes) (Amendment) Regulations 2011) and S.I. No. 201 of 2011 (Planning and Development (Strategic Environmental Assessment) (Amendment) Regulations 2011). The Planning and Development (Strategic Environmental Assessment) Regulations, 2004 (as amended) state that SEA is mandatory for certain plans while screening for SEA is required for other plans that fall below the specified thresholds. The purpose of this screening report is to determine whether the making and implementation of the Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP) for Cork City Council will or will not, lead to significant environmental effects for the plan area and if it will require a full Strategic Environment Assessment. In deciding whether a particular plan is likely to have significant environmental effects, regard must be had to the criteria set out in Annex II of the SEA Directive, which is reproduced in the Schedule 2A to the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as inserted by Article 12 of the Planning and Development (Strategic Environmental Assessment) Regulations 2004. The approach to this SEA screening assessment is to assess the Plan based on the LECP Guidelines 2021 prepared by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage against the criteria contained in Schedule 2a of the SEA Regulations. This assessment is presented in Section Four of this Screening Report and Annex A presents the assessment of the high-level goals, sustainable community and economic objectives, and their respective actions areas. An assessment under Article 6(3) of the EU Habitats Directive has also been undertaken in conjunction with this SEA Screening report and should be read in tandem with this Screening Report and the Plan . This SEA Screening report was issued to statutory environmental authorities under SI 435 of 2004, as amended from 3rd April 2024 to 1st May 2024. Responses were received from the Environmental Protection Agency, Geological Survey Ireland (a division of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications) and an acknowledgement from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage stating the Department has no observations at this time. This submissions have been

considered and the SEA screening process has been concluded and an SEA Determination that the Cork LECP does not require full SEA has been made.

1.2

Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP)

The development of an LECP is informed by the overall vision for Local Government as set out in Putting People First: Action Programme for Effective Local Government (2012), the need “to promote the well- being and quality of life of citizens and communities”. The LECP Guidelines (2021) form part of the statutory responsibilities assigned to the Minister for Rural and Community Development (DRCD), under the Local Government Reform Act of 2014, to support the development and implementation of the LECP. The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) is charged with oversight of the economic elements of the LECP.

The LECP Guidelines (2021) state the plan preparation process should consist of two parts including;

a) the development of an overall LECP framework detailing the High-Level Goals and Sustainable Community and Economic Objectives as well as consideration of outcomes and high-level indicators for the 6-year LECP period. Consideration of any potential actions should form part of the development of the High-Level Goals and Objectives in the LECP framework but the detailing of prioritised actions as well as specific performance indicators and commitment to their implementation is a function of the implementation plan. b) The development of Implementation Plans to detail the inputs, actions and resources required for that implementation plan period as well as relevant specific key performance indictors to facilitate evaluation. The LECP is an important plan to support the implementation at local level of National and Regional policies. Objectives and actions in the LECP must a line with National policy priorities so they contribute locally to important policy agendas. National, Regional, and local plans must also a line with over-arching International and EU policy frameworks. Appendix 6 of the LECP Guidelines (2021) lists relevant policies and strategies to inform the development of the LECP. There are four phases to the preparation of the Plan. These are presented below in Table 1 and show how the SEA relates to the Plan preparation stages.

Table 1 Stages in LECP and SEA

Local Economic Community Development Plan Process

SEA/Environmental Inputs

Stage 1: Preparation

a) Establish & analyse the socio-economic evidence base b) Review of relevant high-level strategies and plans. c) Develop a socio-economic statement for Cork City Plan areas and develop high level goals for the integrated LECP d) Advisory steering group to prepare, and to adopt the statement for public consultation.

• Screening of the SEA Goals and Objectives

Stage 2: Public Consultation

a) Undertake a public consultation on the socio-economic statement & high-level goals

• Review consultation feedback from specified environmental authorities.

b) Revise the statement and refer to the Municipal Districts (MD) & Regional Assembly (RA).

• SEA

consideration

consultation

feedback

Stage 3: Develop the Objectives & Actions

a) Develop detailed objectives for the plan underpinned by clear, measurable actions b) Advisory steering group to prepare, agree to the objectives & actions c) Advisory steering Group to submit a final draft incorporating the statement & goals, objectives & actions for consideration by MDs and RAs.

• Screening of the Detailed Objectives for the Plan taking into consideration any amendments as a result of consultation feedback

Stage 4: Finalise Plan (Current Stage)

a) Consider & adopt final draft (revised as necessary following consideration by the MDs and RAs). b) Local Authority to adopt the final draft of the LECP c) Final Plan submitted to the Minister & published by LA.

• Finalise determination to establish if SEA or AA required. • SEA Determination

Stage 5: Implementation Plan

a) the Implementation Plan process

b) Consideration of available Resources

c) Ongoing flexible implementation

Stage 6: Monitoring, Evaluation & Review

a) KPIs to address proposed outcomes

b) Ongoing data collection including case studies

c) Implementation report

d) Advisory Steering Group to monitor progress on actions & against measurable targets for the objectives

e) Review of the Plan.

2 Cork City Council LECP (The Plan) 2.1 Introduction

The first LECP for Cork City Council (2016-2021) has come to the end of its timespan. This is the second Cork City Council LECP (the Plan) which will extend from 2024-2029 to cover a six-year period. Its primary aim is to set out, for a six-year period, the high-level goals, community and economic objectives and their respective action areas needed to promote and support the economic development and the local and community development of Cork City, both by the Local Authority directly and in partnership with other economic and community development stakeholders. The Plan is an important way to set out how Government and other stakeholders can work together to ensure that their initiatives, programmes and projects support an improved quality of life for people living and working in the County. The Plan will support the sustainable development of Cork City by setting out a blueprint for the development of Cork City from a physical, economic, social and environmental perspective until 2029. It will provide the framework for local implementation of National and Regional framework plans that set out the development path for the State and the Region over the next 10 to 20 years. The key spatial plans at National and Regional level are the National Planning Framework Ireland 2040 and the National Development Plan 2021-2030 (NPF/NDP) and the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the Southern Region (RSES). The Plan identifies objectives from those framework plans to be implemented locally. It identifies local objectives under other National and Regional policies in areas including social inclusion, rural development, urban regeneration, health and well-being, education, training and skills development, employment, enterprise and climate change/climate action. However, while this Plan is an important tool to support the implementation of International, National and Regional policy on economic and local/community development, it will not set a framework in itself either with regard to location, nature, size or operating conditions or by allocating resources but will compliment and be consistent with the existing policy frameworks. Therefore, the Plan must be consistent with overarching local authority plans, in particular, the Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028. 2.2 Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028 Cork is a diverse city. It is a twin-university and maritime City with a vibrant city centre, thriving neighbourhoods and urban towns, a rich hinterland and a rich range of natural and built heritage. Cork City has significant potential for sustainable growth and has the necessary human, economic and environmental assets to realise its full potential. The Cork City Development Plan (CCDP) 2022-2028 sets out how the City will grow and develop over the next six years, while complementing a longer 2040 vision. This City Development Plan is the key land use and strategic planning strategy to guide the development of Cork City to achieve this strategic vision. For the first time, this statutory development plan encompasses Cork City and all its suburbs, including the towns of Ballincollig, Blarney, Tower and Glanmire, and the immediate hinterland areas (Figure 1.1). The Plan was adopted by resolution of the Council on the 10 th June 2022, came into effect on 8 th August 2022 and adopted Variation No. 1 on the 8 th May 2023. This new City Development Plan represents an important step in the strategic planning of the City against the backdrop of a new national and regional planning context. The direction of the future development

of Cork City is guided by the National Planning Framework, Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy, Cork Metropolitan Area Strategic Plan and the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy. These set clear objectives for the population of Cork City to grow by 50% to 335,000 by 2040. This ambition must be achieved in a sustainable way with the objective of improving quality of life for all residents, workers and visitors to Cork City. These are discussed further within the Core Strategy in Chapter 2 of the CCDP 2022- 2028. The National Planning Framework sets significant growth targets for Cork City. By 2040, it is planned that Cork will be a city of international scale offering residents of the region a broader range of services and opportunities and supporting continued public and private sector investment. The CCDP 2022 – 2028 is the first development plan of a three-plan cycle up to 2040, the horizon year of the National Planning Framework. This Plan therefore represents the first step in achieving the ambitions of the National Planning Framework. This Plan sets a foundation to achieve long-term goals for Cork City that are beyond the timeframe of the Plan. For example, the development of a city of neighbourhoods, regeneration of key areas of the City such as the Docklands, delivering the long-term transport plan, and establishing the city as one of the most attractive places in Europe to live and work in. These objectives will be embedded in this Plan as a means to ensure that there is a strong foundation to achieve these objectives in the long-term and within the context of future development plans. The CCDP 2022-2028 must also comply with the requirements set out in the Planning and Development Act, 2000 as amended and associated Regulations. Sections 9 to 12 of the Act relate to the making of a development plan. One of the core legal requirements of a development plan is to set out an overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of the area. The Plan must also comply with Ministerial Guidelines issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act and any Specific Planning Policy Requirements (‘SPPRs’) included within. Appendix 1 of the CCDP 2022-2028 contains the statement relating to this Plan to demonstrate compliance with this requirement. In addition, a development plan must comply with various European Directives including Directives relating to Strategic Environmental Assessment, Habitats and Flooding. In accordance with European and National legislation, Cork City Council has carried out a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), an Appropriate Assessment (AA) and Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA), which have informed the preparation of the Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028 and Variation No. 1. The Strategic Vision is for Cork City to take its place as a world class city, driving local and regional growth, embracing diversity and inclusiveness and growing as a resilient, healthy, age-friendly and sustainable compact city with placemaking, communities and quality of life at its heart. This strategic vision is based on the following key strategic principles:

Compact growth

Integrate land-use and transport planning to achieve a compact city with 50% of all new homes delivered within the existing built-up footprint of the City on regenerated brownfield, infill and greenfield sites identified in the Core Strategy, and to achieve higher population densities aligned with strategic infrastructure delivery. Develop a sustainable, liveable city of neighbourhoods and communities based on the 15-minute city concept, ensuring that placemaking, accessibility and safety is at the heart of all development. To implement the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Study (CMATS) and develop a transformed sustainable transport system with a significant shift toward walking, cycling and public transport and to enshrine this principle in all developments across the City. Protect, enhance, support and develop our built and natural heritage, our open spaces and parks, and our green and blue infrastructure, and expand our built heritage with

A city of neighbourhoods and communities

Sustainable and active travel

Enhanced

built

and

natural heritage

new buildings, townscapes and public spaces achieved through the highest standards of architecture and urban design. Support Cork City’s role as the economic driver for the region and the creation of a strong, resilient, diverse and innovative economy. Contribute to a framework for the transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient City, resilient to extreme weather events, pandemics, economic cycles and other potential shocks. Build on Cork City’s status as a World Health Organisation designated Healthy City, offering an inclusive and vibrant environment for all whilst promoting healthy living and wellbeing. Cork City will continue to be a highly connected city providing local, regional, national and international connectivity. To build on Cork’s designation as a UNESCO Learning City and the city’s rich cultural heritage and to foster learning, culture, heritage and the arts throughout the City.

A strong and diverse economy

A resilient City

A healthy, inclusive and diverse city

A connected City

A city of learning and culture

Cork has a strong foundation on which to build this strategic vision. Cork is already a well-performing medium-sized European urban centre and a major driver of growth in Ireland. Expanding further upon this potential is crucial to enable Cork City to grow in line with national, regional and local ambitions. This strategic vision and strategic objectives will allow Cork City to flourish and develop as an internationally competitive, sustainable urban environment – a city that values its people and provides an enhanced city for people to live, work, play and visit. 2.3 The Plan Process The Plan was developed using a collaborative, consultative and participative approach, affording key stakeholders the opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way. The stages involved in the preparation of the Plan as outlined in the LECP Guidelines (2021) issued by the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH), and applied in the preparation of the Plan are shown in Table 1 above. The process for the development of the Plan consists of four broad phases: preparation, public consultation, development of High-Level Goals, objectives and outcomes, and finalisation of the LECP as outlined in Table 1 above which also shows how the SEA relates to the Plan preparation stages. This Plan was developed by Cork City Council using information gathered through the following processes which form which the Plan developed. Detailed information on each stage is included in the Plan Appendices.

- - - - -

A Policy Review

A Review of the outgoing LECP

Socio-Economic Analysis

A SWOT Analysis

A Public Consultation

Policy Review

The Plan aligns within the hierarchy of National, Regional and Local policy as laid out in Figure 1.1 below. Project Ireland 2040 is the Government’s long - term overarching strategy to ‘make Ireland a better country for all of its people’. The Plan is part of the overall process for national transformation set out in Project Ireland 2040 and which includes the National Development Plan (NDP) and the National Planning Framework (NPF). Project Ireland 2040 sets ambitious targets for Cork City based on a vision

of regional strategy to provide a counterbalance to Dublin. The Southern Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) 2020 – 2032 is a strategic regional development framework that sets spatial and economic regional planning objectives that are aligned with the NPF. The City Development Plan and Plan are legally required to be consistent with the RSES. The Plan helps to realise many of the strategic objectives (SO) laid out in the CCDP 2022-2028 but most particularly the following:

▪ SO 2 – Delivering Homes and Communities ▪ SO 6 – Economy and Enterprise ▪ SO 7 – Heritage, Arts and Culture ▪ SO 9 – Placemaking and Management Development

FIGURE 1.1: NATIONAL, REGIONAL AND LOCAL HIERARCHY

National NPF & NDP

Regional (RSES) Spatial & Economic Strategy

City Cork City Development Plan

Local Local Economic & Community Plan

The Plan also supports the delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Public Sector Duty. As set out in the National Planning Framework, sustainability is at the centre of long-term planning. In this regard, Ireland is a signatory to the United Nations’ Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) as set out in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Transforming our World. Ireland has committed to achieving the SDGs as set out in the ‘The Sustainable Development Goals National Implementation Plan 2018-2020’ published by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment. As specified in article 66B 1 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014, each LECP will be developed within the context of the principles of sustainable development. There are 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the UN General Assembly in 2015 as a blueprint to achieve better and more sustainable development for all to end poverty, fight inequality and injustice and tackle climate change, by 2030. The SDGs provide a critical framework for economic and community development as they reflect the social justice, economic justice and environmental justice concerns of community work and community workers and designate the processes of participation, empowerment and collective action required to achieve change. Through its status as a UNESCO Learning City, a WHO Healthy City, a WHO Age Friendly

1 Local Government Reform Act 2014, Section 66B, https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2014/act/1/enacted/en/pdf

City and a Rainbow city, Cork has already demonstrated its leadership in reaching for the highest international standards in what it does for the people of Cork. Thus, the Plan is part of a whole range of International, National, Regional and Local plans that work together to guide local planning and development. Some policies are set by central government and are high level while others, like the Plan, are applied at a local authority level and focus on specific types of development, in this case, community and economic. Due to this Cork City Council commissioned a review of all relevant policies to the Plan . ‘ A Policy Review for the Development of High-Level Goals for the new Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP) for Cork City ’ was conducted by Cork University Business School in 2022 (see Appendix 2 of the Plan). The review identified 75 active community, social, economic and environmental policies and strategies. This helped Cork City Council in developing the LECP High-Level Goals, objectives and actions with the intention of not duplicating what was already being done in other plans, etc., but instead providing additionality and synergy. The preparation and drafting of the Plan have been assisted by an Advisory Steering Group at all stages of development. A collaborative approach was taken and this is reflected in the joint oversight of the Cork City Local Community Development Committee (LCDC), the Community, Culture and Placemaking Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) and Economic Development, Enterprise and Planning Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) of the Council. A local-led and coordinated approach are also key characteristics of this Plan with collaborative partnerships developed with organisations representatives across the public, voluntary and community sector and business and sectoral interests. Cork City Council produced a ‘Report of Consultation on the Draft Cork City Local Economic and Community Plan 2024 - 2029’ which was submitted to the Members of Cork City Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) and Strategic Policy Committees (SPCs) for their consideration and approval. Review of the outgoing LECP The outgoing LECP 2016-2021 entitled ‘Pure Cork- An Action Plan for the City’ was the first plan of its kind and so it was important that a comprehensive review was undertaken to help identify the learnings to be brought forward to improve upon the development and implementation of the new plan. A traffic light review showed how 87% (206 actions) of all actions were completed, 10% (24 actions) commenced by behind schedule and only 3% (7 actions) were not started. This demonstrated a very high success rate, however, it also highlighted that the majority of these actions were completed after the first two years of the plan. Therefore, the new Plan needed to consider a way of evaluating actions regularly to enable new actions to be added over the lifetime of the Plan.

Analysis

As part of the Plan process Cork City Council carried out an economic and community: strengths, Constraints, opportunities and threats (SCOT) analysis. The Plan presents a summary statement which draws on the socio-economic analysis, the policy review and especially the findings from the local public consultation process. It is an important part of the evidence base development of the High-Level Goals in Stage 3: Develop the Objectives and Actions outlined in the Plan.

Public Consultation

A comprehensive public consultation process was carried out across Cork City plan area, engaging groups not traditionally well-represented in such consultations. This comprehensive public consultation was an important element of the preparation of the Plan Framework. In the roll-out of the public consultation process, a wide representation of local communities, interests and groups in society (young people, migrants, people with disabilities) was achieved through a mix of online consultation and workshops. The Cork City Council report outlines and summarises the findings of a public consultation that took place over 10 weeks in March, April and May 2023 for the development of the new Local Economic and Community Plan 2024 – 2029. Input was sought from all who call Cork City home, who work, do business

and study in the city, and even those who visit Cork. There were several ways people and organisations could ‘have their say’ from sending in a written submission, completing an online survey, taking part in an in-person event and/or through stakeholder workshops and interagency meetings. The consultation was driven by best practice guidelines on local and community engagement and the values outlined in the Values and Principles for Collaboration and Partnership Working with the Community and Voluntary Sector. Cork City Council’s LECP Consultation Phase was selected as a model of best practice by the Department of Rural and Community Development and features in the ‘Guide to Inclusive Community Engagement (second edition). The aim of the public consultation was to hear as many views as possible from across the city with a special focus on reaching the seldom heard and building on a partnership approach with stakeholders. An extensive media campaign helped spread the word. This featured 5000 flyers distributed across the city and a bus stop poster campaign. A QR code was used to direct people to the LECP webpage which featured a short animation, 6 video interviews with local community development stakeholders and a 1-pager to explain what the LECP written in plain English. Staff from the LECP team went ‘on the road’ setting up pop-up clinics across all 10 city libraries. A total of 54 written submissions were received along with 462 online responses and 14 bespoke in- person consultation workshops were held targeting key stakeholders and seldom heard groups such as single parents, the travelling community, young people, older people and disabled people/people with disabilities. A number of common themes emerged during the consultation process: • One of the most commonly occurring themes from the consultation is the call for reduced inequality and greater inclusion. There was a strong social justice dimension to this, including highlighting the needs of Disabled people/People with a disability, single parents, older people, young people, the Traveller community and LGBTI+ groups as well as the value of progressing a city-wide approach to integration. • Ensuring Safety in community areas and the city centre also came through very strongly in online survey response to qualitative questions. • There was a strong call for increased community level partnership and community resourcing between social, business, environmental and other stakeholders and for enhanced partnership with universities and institutions of further education to advance economic diversification and social inclusion objectives. • Increased accessibility of services has also featured very strongly in consultation feedback which ranged from making community facilities and businesses more wheelchair accessible, providing training and skills to young people in marginalised neighbourhoods to making arts, culture, and library facilities more accessible. • The need for improved public transport featured in consultation response for both achieving carbon neutrality but improving economic efficiency, quality of life and increased access to the city’s economic and social life for all of its citizens and to incr eased housing supply. • The consultation submissions also reflected the city’s potential for placemaking and investment in community infrastructure from revitalising City centre and suburban areas to the rejuvenation of its Dockland areas and derelict buildings to creating a connected, sustainable chain of green spaces and Riverfront amenities. A Plan High-Level Goals, Sustainable Community and Economic Objectives and their associated actions areas were prepared at the time of the preparation of this Screening Report for Strategic Environmental Assessment. More detailed commentary on the Plan’s high-level goals, objectives (community and economic) and their action areas are provided in Annex A to this Screening Report.

A new element of the Plan compared with the previous LECP is the preparation of a two-year Implementation Plan (Stage 5). The delivery of the objectives and ultimate realisation of the outcomes are supported by practical, time-bound actions as part of the Implementation Plan process. There is a stronger emphasis on implementation of actions in this Plan and follow-up on these through engagement with other agencies and support actions within the Council’s own functions. The key agencies and areas for action are identified under each of the objectives in the Plan. The Implementation Plan will contribute to the delivery of these objectives and their associated action areas considering the relevant context and the resources available within the time period, including funding through various funding streams. This will then provide the information for the monitoring, evaluation and review of the Plan required in Stage 6. The monitoring and evaluation framework is part of a cycle of planning, implementation, progress reporting (monitoring), identifying what has been achieved or the impact (evaluation), learning from the experience and applying that learning in subsequent plans.

3 Summary of current Environmental Baseline in Cork City The statutory Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028 sets out how the city will grow and develop up to 2028 while complementing a longer 2040 vision and is the most important spatial plan in the city setting. This Plan supports the development of a robust City, (and for the first time, this statutory plan also encompasses) the towns of Ballincollig, Blarney, Tower and Glanmire and their wider hinterland areas and connecting transport infrastructure across Cork City and environs (Figure 1.2). The Core Strategy Map of Cork City (Figure 1.3a and Figure 1.3b) shows the Metropolitan Area, the key towns and villages in the settlement hierarchy. The following Section summarises the current environmental baseline as outlined in the Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028, as varied, the associated SEA Environmental Report and the Cork City LECP 2023-2028 (the Plan). 3.1 Biodiversity, Flora and Fauna Information on biodiversity and flora and fauna that is relevant to project planning and development and associated environmental assessment and administrative consent of projects includes available information on designated ecological sites and protected species, ecological connectivity (including stepping stones and corridors) and non-designated habitats. Cork City supports a variety of natural and semi-natural habitats and a wide range of plant and animal species, which have come under threat due to development pressures and increased demand for new development land. Cork Harbour, the River Lee and associated water courses, estuaries, salt marshes, reedbeds and intertidal mudflats are of ecological importance, providing a habitat for a variety of plant and animal species including mosses, lichens and bats and act as a corridor for the movement of species between the surrounding countryside and urban areas. These areas contain many rare and threatened habitats and species of national and international importance, including those protected under the national and European legislation. A network of urban green spaces, including gardens, parks, graveyards, amenity walks, hedgerows, railway lines and patches of woodland and scrub, provide habitats and ecological connectivity within the City and beyond. Designated sites within and close to the City include Special Areas of Conservation 1 (SACs) (Figure 1.4) and Special Protection Areas 2 (SPAs) (Figure 1.5). There are three European sites (two SACs and one SPA) designated within/nearby, comprising: • Great Island Channel SAC (001058) – c.1.40 km to the east of the City; • Blackwater River (Cork/Waterford) SAC (002170) – c.7 km to the north of the City; and • Cork Harbour SPA (004030) – partially within the eastern parts of the City.

1 1 SACs have been selected for protection under the European Council Directive on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (92/43/EEC) due to their conservation value for habitats and species of importance in the European Union. The Habitats Directive seeks to establish Natura 2000, a network of protected areas throughout the EU. It is the responsibility of each member state to designate SACs to protect habitats and species, which, together with the SPAs designated under the 1979 Birds Directive, form Natura 2000.

2 SPAs have been selected for protection under the 1979 European Council Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds (79/409/EEC) - referred to as the Birds Directive - due to their conservation value for birds of importance in the EU.

CORINE 1 land cover mapping shows that the most dominant land cover types are urban fabric (concentrated within the City’s centre) and pastures and agricultural lands (in the areas surrounding the City’s centre). 3.2 Population and Human Health Population The National Planning Framework Project 2040 sets out that half of the overall national growth in terms of population, employment and housing will be targeted in Ireland’s five Cities, Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford. It is the objective of the National Planning Framework to redistribute growth in a more balanced manner, which would see each of the cities grow by 50% by 2040. Project Ireland 2040 sets ambitious growth targets for Cork City based on a vision of a regional strategy to provide a counterbalance to Dublin. With a population of 224,004 (CSO Census 2022) , Cork is an emerging international city of scale and a national driver of economic and urban growth. Project Ireland 2040 designates the city for significant additional growth over the next 20 years, supported by large scale investment. In 2016 Census, the total population of the area that is now under the administration of Cork City Council 2 was 210,853 persons, showing an increase since previous census by c. 5.1%. The population growth projections for the City are 257,852 persons by 2028 3 and 274,000-286,000 persons by 2031 (as set out by the NPF and the Southern Regional Spatial Economic Strategy). Cork City is the largest urban centre in the Southern region and it is recognised by the RSES as one of five Metropolitan Areas in Ireland. Cork Metropolitan Area acts as an international location of scale, a complement to Dublin and a primary driver of economic and population growth in the Southern Region.

The Plan designates different City Areas as follows:

City Centre;

•

Docklands (City Docks, Tivoli Docks);

•

• City Suburbs (North East Suburb, North West Suburb, South East Suburb, South West Suburb);

• Urban Town (Ballincollig, Blarney, Glanmire, Tower); and

City Hinterland.

•

The new population provided for by the Plan will interact with various environmental components. Potential interactions include:

• Recreational and development pressure on habitats and landscapes;

• Increase in demand for waste water treatment at the municipal level;

• Increase in demand for water supply and associated potential impact of water abstraction;

1 The CORINE (Coordinated Information on the Environment) land cover data series was devised as a means of compiling geo-spatial environmental information in a standardised and comparable manner. CORINE has become a key data source for informing environmental and planning policy on a national and European level. The main land cover type in Ireland is agricultural land including forestry, which accounts for two-thirds of the national landmass. Most of this is permanent grassland pastures. Peatlands and wetlands are the second most widespread land cover type, covering almost onefifth of the country. While forested areas cover about one-tenth of the country. Despite rapid development in the past two decades, Ireland’s landscape is predominantly rural and agricultural.

2 4 In 2019, the Cork City expanded to approx. five times its former size and the population of the City grew by c. 85,000. The Cork City boundary was expanded to include the areas of Douglas, Rochestown, Ballincollig, Tower, Blarney, Glanmire and Cork Airport

3 Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028

• Potential interactions in flood-sensitive areas; and

Potential effects on water quality.

•

Human health has the potential to be impacted upon by environmental vectors (i.e. environmental components such as air, water or soil through which contaminants or pollutants, which have the potential to cause harm, can be transported so that they come into contact with human beings). Hazards or nuisances to human health can arise as a result of exposure to these vectors arising from incompatible adjacent land uses for example. These factors have been considered with regard to the description of: the baseline of each environmental component; and the identification and evaluation of the likely significant environmental effects of implementing the Plan. 3.3 Soil Urban soils (underlying the City Centre) and brown earths 1 (to the north, south and west of the City Centre) are the two most dominant soil types in Cork City. There is an area of peat soil identified in the north-west of the City. There are two Sites of Geological Interest identified within the area of Cork City: Blackrock Diamond Quarry and St. Joseph's Section on Lee Road. Geological Survey of Ireland have identified that most of the City has relatively low levels of landslide susceptibility, with moderate to high susceptibility found mainly along steep river valleys in the centre, north and south of the City. 3.4 Water The City lies within the catchment of Lee, Cork Harbour and Youghal Bay (Figure 1.6). This catchment includes the area drained by the River Lee and all streams entering tidal water in Cork Harbour and Youghal Bay and between Knockaverry and Templebreedy Battery. The main river within Cork City is the River Lee running west to east. Other waterbodies within the City include the Rivers Blackwater and Bandon, Glashaboy Estuary, Lee Estuary and Lough Mahon. The WFD status of sections of rivers within the City is classified as moderate (including Shournagh, Owenboy, Martin, Lee and Blarney) and good (including Martin, Glashaboy and Butlerstown). The WFD surface water status (2013-2018) of transitional waterbodies within and surrounding the City is identified as moderate (including Lough Mahon and Lee - Cork Estuary Upper) and good (including Glashaboy Estuary). The Outer Cork Harbour (downstream of Cork City) is identified as being of good status, Cork Harbour is identified as being of moderate status, Lower Bandon Estuary (transitional waterbody) is identified as being of poor status and Cuskinny Lake (transitional waterbody) is identified as being of bad status. The bathing water at Fountainstown (downstream of Cork City) is of excellent water quality 2 . The WFD status (2013-2018) of groundwater underlying the City is mostly identified as being of good status, with an area of poor 3 status underlying Tramore Valley Park to the south of Cork City Centre. Aquifer vulnerability refers to the ease with which pollutants of various kinds can enter into groundwater. The vulnerability of aquifers is classified as being of Extreme or High vulnerability, in most of the City.

1 Well drained mineral soils, associated with high levels of natural fertility.

2 7 The EPA Report (2020) Bathing Water Quality in Ireland 2019.

3 Area underlying Waste Facility (W0012-03).

Certain areas across the City are at risk from flooding from sources including groundwater, pluvial 1 , fluvial 2 and coastal 3 . There is historic evidence of flooding in various locations across the City, including along the Rivers Blackwater, Bandon and Lee, Glashaboy Estuary, Lee Estuary and Lough Mahon. 3.5 Air and Climate Total emissions of greenhouse gases by humans come from various sectors including transport, agriculture, energy industries, manufacturing combustion, industrial processes, residential developments, commercial services developments, waste management processes and fluorinated gases equipment (such as refrigeration and fire protection systems). The National Climate Action Plan 2023 is an all of Government plan to tackle climate change and bring about a step change in Ireland’s climate ambition over the coming years. The Plan sets out an ambitious course of action over the coming years to address the diverse and wide-ranging impacts climate disruption is having on Ireland's environment, society, economic and natural resources. The Climate Action Plan sets out clear 2030 targets for each sector with the ultimate objective of achieving a transition to a competitive, low-carbon, climate-resilient, and environmentally sustainable society and economy by 2050. The Action Plan deals with both mitigation and adaptation. Climate mitigation describes action to reduce the likelihood of climate change occurring or reduce the impact if it does occur. This can include reducing the causes of climate change (e.g. emissions of greenhouse gases) as well as reducing future risks associated with climate change. The Cork City Council Climate Action Plan 2024-2029 is a new statutory plan that features a range of actions across a number of themes, and sets out over 100 actions, grouped under five themes, though many actions cut across the themes:

• Governance and Leadership.

• Communities and Partnership.

• Built Environment and Energy.

• Transport and Mobility.

• Natural Environment and Resource Management.

The specific climate actions have been informed by the baseline research and stakeholder engagement. While the actions are climate focused, they have many additional social, environmental, economic and health benefits. The actions are wide ranging and include, for example, under governance and leadership and communities and partnership actions to instigate systemic change.

Measures in the built environment and energy include the decarbonisation of buildings, a significant escalation of rooftop solar-energy production, and the continuation of the public lighting and social housing retrofitting programmes. Flood defence schemes, engineered and nature-based, will play a key role in building the city’s resilience and adaptation to climate change. Notable actions in the transport and mobility area include the continued rollout of active-travel and public transport infrastructure and

1 Resulting from high intensity rainfall events where run-off volume exceeds capacity of surface water network.

2 Watercourse capacity is exceeded or the channel is blocked and excess water spills from the channel onto adjacent floodplains.

31 Resulting from higher sea levels than normal causing the sea to overflow onto land. Such flooding is influenced by high tide level, storm surges and wave action.

the publication of an EV-charging Infrastructure strategy. The natural environment and resource management is a key focal point, with nature based solutions such as the implementation of our Trees strategy, the enhancement of our biodiversity, and the promotion of a circular economy.

The EPA’s (2023) Air Quality in Ireland 2022 identifies that:

• Air quality in Ireland is generally good however there are concerning localised issues; • Fine particulate matter (PM22) from solid fuel combustion and Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) from vehicle t emissions are the main pollutants; • People’s health and the health of our environment is impacted by these pollutants: and • Ireland’s ambition in the Clean Air Strategy is to move towards the World Health Organisation (WHO) Air Quality guidelines, this will be challenged but will have a significantly positive impact on health.

With regard to solutions, the report identifies that:

Better insulated homes;

•

• Better alternatives to solid fuel combustion; • Public and active transport; • Electric vehicles.

In order to comply with European Directives relating to air quality, the EPA manages the National Ambient Air Quality Network and measures the levels of a number of atmospheric pollutants at locations across the country. The current 1 air quality within the City is identified by the EPA as being good. 3.6 Material Assets Other material assets, in addition to those referred to below, covered by the SEA include archaeological and architectural heritage (see Section 4.12 in the CCDP 2022-2028 SEA ER) natural resources of economic value, such as water and air (see Sections 4.9 and 4.10 in the CCDP 2022-2028 SEA ER).

Public Assets and Infrastructure

Public assets and infrastructure that have the potential to be impacted upon by the Plan, if unmitigated, include; settlements; resources such as public open spaces, parks and recreational areas; public buildings and services; transport and utility infrastructure (electricity, gas, telecommunications, water supply, wastewater infrastructure etc.); forestry; and natural resources that are covered under other topics such as water and soil.

Waste Water The EPA’s 2023 report ‘Urban Wastewater Treatment in 2022 2 ’ identified that:

• Wastewater treatment at 15 towns and cities (including Cork City) did not meet European standards for the treatment of urban wastewater in 2022; • Waste water from 36 areas, including Cork City, was identified as the main significant source of pollution impacting the local waters and therefore, in the absence of other pressures, the health

12 Accessed 6/03/2024 Home | AirQuality.ie

2 Urban Waste Water Treatment in 2022 Report (epa.ie)

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