Key Legislative and Policy Framework
Cork City Council Heritage & Biodiversity Plan (2021-2026) 6.59 The Cork City Heritage and Biodiversity Plan (2021-2026) is currently in preparation and will be the third Heritage and Biodiversity Plan for Cork City. The overall aim of the Heritage and Biodiversity Plan is to protect, enhance and promote the heritage and biodiversity of Cork city and to place the care of our heritage at the heart of the community. It is an action plan that sets out a series of realistic and practical actions to protect, conserve and manage our heritage over the next five years and a methodology on the implementation of these actions. It will include actions on archaeology, built, cultural and natural heritage, as biodiversity is an integral part of all elements of heritage. The actions from this Heritage and Biodiversity Plan will strengthen Cork City’s heritage and biodiversity and its economy, by supporting the tourism and the recreation sectors. The actions will also contribute to the health and wellbeing of our communities.
6.58 The importance of natural heritage and biodiversity is made clear in the legislative framework that supports the protection of these assets at an international and national level. The Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC and Birds Directive 2009/147/ EC provide for the conservation of natural habitats, wild fauna and flora and wild birds of European importance. They also establish Natura 2000, a European network of important ecological sites comprising Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs). The Wildlife Act 1976 (as amended) provides for the protection of wildlife and the control of activities that may adversely affect wildlife and establishes the Irish network of Natural Heritage Areas. The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (1992) requires the preparation of national biodiversity strategies and action plans, while the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) requires Development Plans to include objectives for the conservation of natural heritage and designated European Sites. The National Biodiversity Plan 2017-2021 contains targeted actions and objectives for Ireland’s approach to biodiversity. The All-Ireland Pollinator Plan (2021-2025) contains actions and objectives aimed at helping bees, other pollinating insects and wider biodiversity.
Designated Areas and Protected Species
6.60 There are a number of habitats, flora and fauna within Cork City’s boundary which are protected under national and EU legislation. These are listed below and illustrated on “Figure 8.1 Designated Conservation Sites” taken from the Cork City Green and Blue Infrastructure Study 2021 and included in Table 6.14.
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Cork City Draft Development Plan 2022-2028
Volume 1 I Chapter 6
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