6.64 Any agricultural or fishing or aquaculture activities related developments would be considered subject to compliance with the Habitats and Birds Directives and in consultation with Inland Fisheries Ireland as relevant.
Rivers, Waterways and Wetlands
6.68 Rivers, waterways and wetlands are very important assets for Cork City, particularly the urban environment. Wetlands and waterway corridors are multi- functional in nature, as they: • Support the preservation and enhancement of wildlife habitats and natural corridors. • Provide important visual and recreational amenity. • Allow for the provision and enhancement of open space, public amenities, recreational, leisure, maritime and cultural heritage and tourist activities and development. • Provide for drainage and flood water storage. • Perform a range of important functions, particularly wetlands, which include water filtration, flood attenuation and support a wide range of biodiversity.
Protected Species
6.65 Certain plant, animal and bird species are protected by law. This includes plant species listed in the Flora Protection Order 2015 and animals and birds listed in the Wildlife Act 1976 (as amended), the EU Habitats Directive and the EU Birds Directive.
Non-Designated Areas of Natural Heritage Importance
Trees and Woodlands
6.66 Natural heritage and biodiversity of Cork City is not just contained within designated areas alone but is found throughout the City. Many areas which do not have formal protection under legislation have a local natural heritage value in terms of the urban environment in which they are located, the plant and animal life that they support and the biodiversity that lies within them e.g. woodlands, hedgerows, rivers, private gardens, parks, sports grounds graveyards, institutional lands including religious grounds, hospitals, schools and universities. 6.67 Protecting areas in isolation from each other is neither appropriate nor effective. It is important that significant wildlife habitat areas and ecological corridors including rivers and their banks, trees and hedgerows which allow migration of flora and fauna between conservation areas which are essential for the dispersal and genetic exchange of wild species, are protected from inappropriate development and enhanced where possible, working with local stakeholders.
6.69 Trees and woodlands make a valuable contribution to the biodiversity, landscape value of and health and well-being of its citizens as well as playing a role in climate adaptation and enhancing the aesthetics of the built environment and public realm thus benefiting the environmental, social and economic wellbeing of Cork City’s residents. 6.70 It is important to protect and maintain existing trees or groups of trees in the City, particularly those in private ownership and promoting new planting on public land. As set out in the Green and Blue Infrastructure Study, woodland habitat in Cork City is predominantly located in the north western fringe of the wider city, within the hinterland, Tower and Blarney and along the boundary fringe at Glanmire and Rochestown. Tree canopy coverage is estimated to be 14% in Cork City.
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Cork City Draft Development Plan 2022-2028
Volume 1 I Chapter 6
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