Strategic Environmental Assessment Report

CONSULTANTS IN ENGINEERING, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & PLANNING

CORK CITY COUNCIL ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STRATEGY

Strategic Environmental Assessment Environmental Report

Prepared for: Cork City Council

Date: May 2024

Core House, Pouladuff Road, Cork, T12 D773, Ireland T: +353 21 496 4133 | E: info@ftco.ie

CORK | DUBLIN | CARLOW www.fehilytimoney.ie

Strategic Environmental Assessment Environmental Report for the Cork City Council Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy

REVISION CONTROL TABLE, CLIENT, KEYWORDS AND ABSTRACT User is responsible for Checking the Revision Status of This Document

Description of Changes

Prepared by:

Checked by:

Approved by:

Date:

Rev. No.

Final

EW/KB

30/05/2024

Client:

Cork City Council

Keywords:

Cork City, Strategic Environmental Assessment, SEA, Environmental Report, Electric Vehicle, EV, Charging, Strategy.

Abstract:

Fehily Timoney and Company is pleased to submit this SEA Environmental Report to Cork City Council for the Cork City Council Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY ................................................................................................................. 1 Introduction....................................................................................................................................................1 Background.....................................................................................................................................................1 Approach to SEA .............................................................................................................................................1 The Strategy ...................................................................................................................................................2 The Environmental Baseline...........................................................................................................................2 Evolution of the Baseline Environment..........................................................................................................4 Strategic Environmental Objectives ...............................................................................................................5 Description and Evaluation of Strategy Alternatives .....................................................................................7 Evaluation of the Environmental Effects of Strategy Implementation ..........................................................8 Mitigation Measures ......................................................................................................................................9 Monitoring Measures ................................................................................................................................... 10 1. INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................................. 11 1.1 Background ......................................................................................................................................... 11 1.2 SEA Environmental Report .................................................................................................................11 1.3 Background to SEA and Legislative Context .......................................................................................12 1.4 Purpose of this SEA.............................................................................................................................12 1.5 Appropriate Assessment ....................................................................................................................13 2. THE STRATEGY ................................................................................................................................ 14 2.1 Overview ............................................................................................................................................. 14 2.2 Context ...............................................................................................................................................14 2.3 Strategy Content.................................................................................................................................14 2.4 Relationship of the Strategy with Other Relevant Plans and Programmes........................................16 3. SEA METHODOLOGY ....................................................................................................................... 17 3.1 The SEA Process..................................................................................................................................17 3.2 Overview of the Strategy and SEA Processes .....................................................................................18 3.3 SEA Processes Undertaken To Date....................................................................................................19 3.4 SEA Environmental Report .................................................................................................................22 3.5 SEA Statement ....................................................................................................................................26 3.6 Integrated Biodiversity Impact Assessment .......................................................................................26 3.7 Outcomes of the Strategy and SEA Processes....................................................................................26

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4. THE ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE ................................................................................................... 27 4.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 27 4.2 Population and Human Health ...........................................................................................................30 4.3 Biodiversity, Flora and Fauna .............................................................................................................32 4.4 Landscape, Seascape and Visual Amenity ..........................................................................................39 4.5 Cultural Heritage - Archaeological and Architectural.........................................................................41 4.6 Soils ..................................................................................................................................................... 44 4.7 Land Use .............................................................................................................................................48 4.8 Air Quality and Noise ..........................................................................................................................50 4.9 Water .................................................................................................................................................. 53 4.10 Material Assets ...................................................................................................................................67 4.11 Tourism and Recreation .....................................................................................................................70 4.12 Climate Change ................................................................................................................................... 70 4.13 Constraints and Opportunities ...........................................................................................................71 4.14 Evolution of the Baseline Environment Without the Implementation of the Strategy .....................74 5. STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL OBJECTIVES .................................................................................... 75 6. DESCRIPTION AND EVALUATION OF STRATEGY ALTERNATIVES .................................................... 77 6.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 77 6.2 Goal of the Reasonable Alternative Evaluation Process in SEA..........................................................77 6.3 Approach to Developing Reasonable Alternatives.............................................................................78 6.4 Identification, Description and Evaluation of Reasonable Alternatives.............................................79 6.5 Data Gaps and Technical Limitations relating to the Identification and Evaluating Reasonable Alternatives ..................................................................................................................................................82 7. EVALUATION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION ...................83 7.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 83 7.2 Evaluation of the Environmental Effects of Strategy Implementation ..............................................83 7.3 Potential Cumulative Effect of the Strategy in combination with other Plans and Projects .............85 8. MITIGATION MEASURES................................................................................................................. 88 8.1 Mitigation through consideration of alternatives ..............................................................................88 8.2 Mitigation through integration of environmental considerations into the Strategy.........................89 8.3 Mitigation through consideration of environmental protection objectives contained in the City Development Plan ........................................................................................................................................95 8.4 Conclusion ..........................................................................................................................................95 9. POST DRAFT STRATEGY CONSULTATION MODIFICATIONS ............................................................ 96 10. MONITORING MEASURES ..................................................................................................... 97

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LIST OF APPENDICES Appendix 1 - Relationship of the Strategy with Other Relevant Plans and Programmes Appendix 2 - Scoping Consultation Feedback Appendix 3 - Detailed Evaluation of the Environmental Effects of Strategy Implementation Appendix 4 - Strategic Environmental Assessment Screening Report for Strategy Modifications Appendix 5 - Appropriate Assessment Screening Report for Strategy Modifications

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LIST OF FIGURES

Page

Figure 3-1: Figure 4-1: Figure 4-2: Figure 4-3: Figure 4-4: Figure 4-5: Figure 4-6: Figure 4-7: Figure 4-8: Figure 4-9: Figure 4-10: Figure 4-11: Figure 4-12: Figure 4-13: Figure 4-14: Figure 4-15: Figure 4-16: Figure 4-17:

SEA and AA Stages and Key Deliverables ................................................................................ 18 Study Area Boundary............................................................................................................... 29 Major Settlement Pattern (Source: OSI) ................................................................................. 31 Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas (Source: NPWS) ....................... 36 Natural Heritage Areas and proposed Natural Heritage Areas (Source: NWPS) .................... 37 Potential Habitat Sensitivities - Areas likely to contain Annex I habitats (Source: EPA-CORINE) ................................................................................................................................................. 38 Archaeological Heritage (Source: EPA).................................................................................... 43 Bedrock Geology (Source: GSI)................................................................................................ 46 Geological Heritage Sites (Source: GSI)................................................................................... 47 Land Use (Source: EPA-CORINE).............................................................................................. 49 Noise Mapping Lden (Day, Evening, Night; a measurement over 24 hours) .......................... 52 Hydrology ................................................................................................................................ 55 WFD Surface Water Status ...................................................................................................... 56 Aquifer Classification............................................................................................................... 57 Wells and Springs .................................................................................................................... 58 Groundwater Vulnerability...................................................................................................... 59 Groundwater Productivity....................................................................................................... 60

Drinking-water Source Protection Areas................................................................................. 61 Figure 4-18(a-e): WFD Register of Protected Areas............................................................................................ 62 Figure 4-19: Constraints and Opportunities Map........................................................................................ 73 Figure 6-1: 'Why? What? Where? When?' Model for framing alternatives - Adapted from Figure 4.3 Developing and Assessing Alternatives in the Strategic Environmental Assessment Process (EPA, 2015). ............................................................................................................................. 79

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LIST OF TABLES

Page

Table 3-1: Table 3-2: Table 4-1: Table 4-2: Table 4-3: Table 4-4: Table 5-1: Table 7-1: Table 7-2: Table 8-1: Table 8-2:

SEA Environmental Report Authors ........................................................................................ 23 SEA Environmental Report Checklist....................................................................................... 25 Designated Ecological Sites and Protected Species ................................................................ 32 Ecological Connectivity and Non-designated Habitats ........................................................... 34 Landscape Character Areas and Areas of High Visual Amenity .............................................. 39 Soil Types Covering the City .................................................................................................... 44 Strategic Environmental Objectives ........................................................................................ 75 Overview of the Key Environmental Effects of Strategy Implementation .............................. 84 Inter-relationship between Environmental Components ....................................................... 86 Proposed Environmental Mitigation Measures Related to the Text of the Strategy.............. 90 Environmental Mitigation Measure to be adopted during Strategy Implementation - to be included as a separate section in the Strategy........................................................................ 93 SEA Monitoring Programme.................................................................................................... 98

Table 10-1:

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CLIENT:

Cork City Council

PROJECT NAME: REPORT TITLE:

Cork City Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy

SEA Environmental Report

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY

Introduction This is the non-technical summary of the final consolidated environmental report for the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the Cork City Council (CCC) Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Strategy (herein referred to as 'the Strategy'). The purpose of this SEA is to identify and evaluate the likely significant environmental effects of implementation of the Strategy. Background The CAP 2023 has set targets for a 50% reduction in transport emissions by 2030. This includes a 20% reduction in total vehicle kilometres, a reduction in fuel usage, and significant increases to sustainable transport trips and modal share. It acknowledges that fleet electrification and use of biofuels will provide the greatest share of emissions abatement in the medium term, requiring 30% of the private car fleet to be electrified by 2030. The CAP supports regional and local authorities with the development of EV Network Plans, and that these plans should be aligned with the adopted national Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy 2022-2025. In response, CCC has prepared the Strategy for the functional area of Cork City. The Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Screening of the Strategy has determined that it should be subject to full SEA. Approach to SEA The SEA process can be defined by four stages, all of which include some level of consultation with stakeholders and the public. These stages are defined as:

Stage 1 – Screening: deciding whether a SEA is required, or not.

•

• Stage 2 – Scoping: establishing the spatial and temporal scope of the SEA and a decision-making framework that can be used to evaluate impacts. • Stage 3 – Identification, Prediction, Considerations of Alternatives, Evaluation and Mitigation of Potential Impacts. • Stage 4 – Consultation, Revision and Post-Adoption. This includes the implementation of statutory SEA monitoring. The SEA process generally runs in parallel with the Appropriate Assessment (AA) process, which is an assessment process focusing on the potential effects of a plan or project on sites designated for nature protection known as ‘European Sites'. In this instance, AA Screening concluded that the Strategy is not likely to have any significant effects on European sites, alone or in combination with other plans or projects, however. Consequently, a Stage 2 AA was not required for the Strategy.

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CLIENT:

Cork City Council

PROJECT NAME: REPORT TITLE:

Cork City Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy

SEA Environmental Report

The Strategy The Strategy will provide for the delivery of publicly accessible electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Cork City to deliver the substantial reductions in transport GHG emissions to meet the statutory 2030 target. The Strategy will demonstrate alignment with EU and national climate action policy and targets, particularly in relation to a reduction of transport sector GHG emissions. The Strategy has made recommendations with respect to the different types of charging infrastructure required and its spatial distribution within Cork City. The Strategy has identified a first wave of infrastructure investment to be designed and constructed up to 2025 which will subsequently be monitored and analysed to refine the delivery of subsequent waves of investment. The Strategy primarily focuses on the delivery of residential neighbourhood charging infrastructure which can be further broken down into two types of charging facilities: • Neighbourhood Charging Stations : These charging stations are typically normal speed installations with a total charging speed of 22kW shared between 2 charge points at each charging station. • Community Charging Stations : These are fast charging stations with a total charging speed of between 50kW and 150kW shared between 2-4 charge points The Environmental Baseline An evaluation and a characterisation of the current state of the environment likely to be affected by the Strategy has been undertaken to inform the SEA process. The following Environmental Components were considered during this evaluation:

Population & Human Health Biodiversity, Flora & Fauna

• • • • • • • • • • •

Landscape, Seascape & Visual Amenity

Cultural Heritage - Archaeological & Architectural

Soils

Land Use

Air Quality & Noise

Water

Material Assets

Tourism & Recreation

Climate Change

A non-technical and high-level summary of the baseline environment is provided in the table below. This table presents key salient facts regarding the baseline environment of the functional area the Strategy applies to.

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CLIENT:

Cork City Council

PROJECT NAME: REPORT TITLE:

Cork City Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy

SEA Environmental Report

Environmental Component

Summary of the Baseline Environmental Characteristics

Population & Human Health

In the 2022 Census, the total population of Cork City was 224,004 persons. Cork City is identified by the Southern Regional Assembly Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) 2019-2031 as being part of the Cork Metropolitan Area. The transitional population projection for the Cork Metropolitan Area until 2031 is 408,826 persons. There is 1 designated SPA partially within the Strategy area; Cork Harbour SPA (004030). There is 1 designated Ramsar site partially within the city boundary; Cork Harbour. There are 11 pNHAs within or partially within the City, of which include: Lee Valley, Shournagh Valley, Blarney Castle Woods, Douglas River Estuary, Glanmire Wood, Cork Lough, Dunkettle Shore, Ballincollig Cave, Blarney Lake, Ardamadane Wood and Blarney Bog. 12 TPOs within the City have been identified within the City Development Plan. There are 3 designated Flora Protection Order Sites in the City; near Cork City (Bryum intermedium), Cork City (Scleropodium touretii) and Blarney (Entosthodon muhlenbergii). There is 1 Wildfowl Sanctuary within the City: The Lough (WFS-12).

Biodiversity, Flora & Fauna

The River Lee is a protected salmonid water. The most dominant land cover type is urban.

Landscape, Seascape and Visual Amenity

The landscape of Cork City is formed by a unique set of natural and built elements that have evolved over time. The distinctive ridgelines and topography to the north of the city are formed by the lower ranges of the Boggeragh Mountains to the north-west and the Nagle Mountains to the north. The southern ridges belong to the Shehy Mountains, the peaks of which lie to the east of County Cork. The rivers Lee and Sulhane merge around Macroom to the west of the county, and flow east along the post-glacial valley into the Lee proper, through Cork City, into Lough Mahon, Cork Harbour and south into the Atlantic Ocean. The Cork City Council Landscape Study (2008) divides the city into 8 Landscape Character Areas. There are 11 Areas of High Visual Amenity in Cork City. There are 60 archaeological sites within Cork City Centre including standing stones and medieval walls and c. 400 entries to the RMP within the surrounding towns, villages and hinterland. Churches, houses, distilleries, factories and graveyards are amongst the most common recorded monuments and sites of significant archaeological, historic and cultural importance include St. Francis' Well, Skiddy's Castle, and Sunday's Well. Clusters of archaeological heritage are concentrated around the City’s historic core and within the centres of other settlements in the Strategy area. The City’s historic core consists of the Medieval City and Georgian City with many sites of significant archaeological interest. Cork City Centre is also designated a Zone of Archaeological Potential. There are hundreds of entries to the RPS within the City, which include many notable buildings such as: St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Elizabeth Fort and City Hall. Cork City has an important vernacular heritage with many important historic buildings and structures. Historic Street Character Areas are designated within Cork City and consist of groups of buildings with architectural and social interest. Dominant soil types in the country include Urban Soils and Brown Earth Soils. Other soils include Alluvial Soils, Gleys, and Brown Podzols. Land use mapping for Cork City is shown in Figure 4-9 of the main body of the report. This mapping shows the extent of all land use present in the city area (e.g., urban fabric) The Cork City conurbation is defined as ‘Zone B’ out of the four zones in Ireland. There are six monitoring stations within the city boundary. The current air quality in Cork City is identified by the EPA as being of Good status. Existing noise related impacts can be seen in Figure 4-10 of the main body of the report. The city is located mainly within the Lee River and Cork City Harbour catchments. The Celtic Sea lies on the west of the city’s coastline. The WFD status of coastal water bodies (2016-2021) for Cork City Harbour is of moderate status and the Celtic Sea is identified as being of high status.

Cultural Heritage - Archaeological & Architectural

Soils

Land Use

Air Quality & Noise

Water

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Page 3 of 103

CLIENT:

Cork City Council

PROJECT NAME: REPORT TITLE:

Cork City Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy

SEA Environmental Report

Environmental Component

Summary of the Baseline Environmental Characteristics The WFD groundwater status (2016-2021) underlying Cork City is generally identified as being of good status. The WFD status of rivers and streams (2016-2021) draining Cork City ranges from good (sections of rivers and streams, including Moneygurney and Lee to moderate (sections of rivers and streams including: Curragheen) and to poor (sections of rivers and streams including: Bride and Glasheen). Cork City is located on the south coast of Ireland, and some of the Strategy boundary is subject to flood risk from the Celtic Sea. Material assets include transport infrastructure, power generation plants and supply networks, water supply, wastewater treatment infrastructure and waste disposal sites among others. Potential opportunities and conflicts associated with these assets will be considered in the SEA. Other material assets covered by the SEA include archaeological and architectural heritage and natural resources of economic value, such as soil, air and water. Cork City is traversed by a number of major roads – the M8/N8, N22, N20, N27, N28, N40 and the N71. The City is served by the intercity commuter train services and local connections to metropolitan commuter towns. Cork City hosts ‘Wild Atlantic Way’ and the success of the brand strategy will result in infrastructure demands to previously less trafficked areas. Cork City Council has developed the Visit Cork Sustainability Strategy (2023-2030). Cultural Heritage sites in Cork City. also support heritage-related tourism and recreation Cork City is affected by climate change policy and issues broadly. The recent Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 was established to provide for the approval of plans by the Government in relation to climate change. This aims at pursuing the transition to a climate resilient, biodiversity rich and climate neutral economy by no later than the end of the year 2050. Ireland’s Climate Action Plan 2023 sets out Ireland’s national and sectoral targets in this regard. Future changes in climate and associated impacts on sea level, rainfall patterns/intensity and river flow will influence flooding frequency and extent in the future. Local Authorities in compliance with the Regional Planning Guidelines are attempting to adopt sustainable flood risk strategies in areas likely to be at risk of flooding in the future in the context of climate change and changing weather patterns. Changes to climate could lead to an increase in flooding events in Ireland.

Material Assets

Tourism and Recreation

Climate Change

Section 4 of the main body of this SEA Environmental Report contains further detail on baseline environmental characteristics, including a variety of details environmental mapping, for those who wish to develop a more in- depth understanding of the environmental baseline. Section 7 of the main body of this SEA Environmental Report contains a summary of the evaluation of the environmental effects of the implementation of the Strategy, including a summary of the various positive impacts, negative impacts, and cumulative impacts associated with Strategy implementation. Evolution of the Baseline Environment The SEA Directive requires that consideration is given to the likely evolution of the baseline environment in the event the Strategy is not progressed and implemented. In the event the Strategy is not implemented; the baseline environment in Cork City would primarily evolve in line with local plans and policies currently being implemented for the area (e.g., the Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028, the Cork City Local Authority Climate Action Plan 2024 - 2029, the Cork City Heritage and Biodiversity Plan).

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CLIENT:

Cork City Council

PROJECT NAME: REPORT TITLE:

Cork City Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy

SEA Environmental Report

These local plans and policies are predicted to align with high-level policy defined in the national plans such as the National Planning Framework or the national Climate Action Plan (CAP24), and regional policy defined in the Southern Regional Spatial & Economic Strategy, for example. These higher order plans are predicted strongly influence the land use planning framework and environmental conditions in Cork City. These plans will support the transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient society generally, including the transition to alternative fuel vehicles in particular, active travel development, compact growth and transport sector decarbonisation. Traffic and transport conditions in Cork City will evolve in line with the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy 2040 which aims to deliver an accessible, integrated transport network in the Cork Metropolitan Area. This Strategy supports a variety of sustainable transport and travel initiatives such as the development of transport mobility hubs and strategic park and ride facilities. Not progressing the more focussed and local area specific set of EV charging infrastructure development proposals defined in the Strategy would present several significant lost opportunities. The Strategy provides a greater degree of focus and specificity in relation to the development of EV charging infrastructure in Cork City. A variety of likely positive environmental effects associated with the Strategy implementation would not come to fruition (e.g., the better facilitation of a reduction in Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) based vehicle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, improvements in local air quality conditions). A number of potential adverse effects associated with the existing baseline scenario are more likely to continue to occur (existing ICE based vehicle emissions may be maintained or reduced more gradually in the context of Cork City - resulting in ongoing impacts on climate and local air quality). The likelihood of exceedances of ambient air quality standards in the City due to vehicle emissions in congested areas would be greater as a result. In the event none of the proposals defined in the Strategy are implemented, the expansion of the EV network in the city will have less express policy support. Promoting and facilitating a shift from ICE-based vehicle use to the use of electric vehicles in Cork City will have less express policy support. Strategic Environmental Objectives The SEA Directive states that an SEA should also look at 'the environmental protection objectives, established at international, Community or Member State level, which are relevant to the plan or programme and the way those objectives and any environmental considerations have been taken into account during its preparation.' The identification of environmental protection objectives relevant to a plan provide the basis for evaluating the significance of impacts during the SEA process. All environmental protection objectives relevant to the Strategy have been identified. Strategic Environmental Objectives (SEOs) are methodological measures which facilitate the development of targets against which the environmental effects of the Strategy can be tested. SEOs are based on wider environmental protection objectives on local, regional, national, European and international level that are relevant to the Strategy. They are high-level in nature and set strategic goals for environmental protection and improvement. All SEOs applicable to the Strategy are presented in the table below.

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CLIENT:

Cork City Council

PROJECT NAME: REPORT TITLE:

Cork City Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy

SEA Environmental Report

Strategic Environmental Objectives

Environmental Component

SEO Code

Strategic Environmental Objective

Overall

Ensure, where appropriate, that lower-level plans and projects contribute to overall environmental monitoring processes within Cork City.

Population & Human Health

PHH1 PHH2

Avoid or minimise impacts to population and human health.

Ensure Electric Vehicle infrastructure avoids and minimises impacts to the existing economic activities within the area and does not compromise/conflict with existing land use objectives. Ensure supported development does not conflict with biodiversity protection, restoration and rehabilitation. Ensure compliance with all legislation underpinning biodiversity and nature conservation in Ireland, including the Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2023. Avoid impacts on features of the landscape which - by virtue of their linear and continuous structure or their function as 'stepping stones' (designated or not) - are of major importance for wild fauna and flora and essential for the migration, dispersal and genetic exchange of wild species. To avoid or minimise significant impacts on semi-natural habitats, species, environmental features, or other sustaining resources at important sites, including locally important sites. No net contribution to biodiversity losses or deterioration in response to the biodiversity emergency. Avoid impacts on valued natural, cultural and built landscape, townscape, seascape and visual amenity. Avoid impacts upon or conflicts with archaeological heritage (including entries to the RMP), architectural heritage (including entries to the RPS and NIAHs), cultural heritage and the historic environment generally.

Biodiversity, Flora & Fauna

Landscape & Visual Amenity

Cultural Heritage - Archaeological & Architectural

CH1

Land Use

LU1 LU2

Avoid or minimise effects on existing land use.

Avoid conflict with potential future land use, having regard to the Cork City Development Plan 2022 - 2028 and other relevant land use policy. Support compliance with Ambient Air Quality Standards, especially in the context of the urbanised, densely populated and well trafficked environment of Cork City centre. Reduce the impact of Internal Combustion Engine based vehicles on ambient air quality in Cork City. Avoid the occurrence of noise and dust nuisance during Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure development works. Improve the level of Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure in Cork City. Support the transition to zero or low carbon Electric Vehicles in Cork City. Avoid impacts on the electricity grid. Deliver Electric Vehicle Infrastructure in harmony with grid infrastructure improvements. Avoid or minimise effects on current and planned transport infrastructure and traffic conditions. Avoid or minimise effects upon existing and (where known) planned water and gas infrastructure.

Air Quality and Noise

AQN1

AQN2

AQN3

Material Assets

MA1 MA2 MA3

MA4

MA5

Tourism & Recreation

TR1 CF1

Avoid or minimise effects upon tourism and recreation amenities.

Climate Change

Support in the achievement of the national target of a 50% reduction in transport Greenhouse Gas emissions by 2030.

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Page 6 of 103

CLIENT:

Cork City Council

PROJECT NAME: REPORT TITLE:

Cork City Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy

SEA Environmental Report

Environmental Component

SEO Code

Strategic Environmental Objective

CF2

Support reducing Cork City Council organisational Greenhouse Gas emissions by 51% in accordance with requirements of the Cork City Local Authority Climate Action Plan and the Public Sector Mandate defined in the national Climate Action Plan.

CF3

Support in the delivery of Cork City Decarbonisation Zone objectives.

Description and Evaluation of Strategy Alternatives The SEA Directive requires that reasonable alternative means of achieving the strategic goals of the Strategy (taking into account the objectives and the geographical scope of a plan or programme) are identified, described and evaluated for their likely significant effects on the environment. Such reasonable alternatives must be realistic and capable of implementation. Reasonable alternatives were assessed against the Strategic Environmental Objectives (SEOs) established for the aspects of the baseline environment which are likely to be significantly affected by the Strategy. The underpinning goal of the reasonable alternative evaluation process was to ensure that the selection of preferred alternatives by the Local Authority is informed by environmental considerations. The following reasonable alternatives to the Strategy were identified: a) Is it preferable to progress the expansion of the EV Charging Network in Cork City through the Cork City Development Plan 2022 - 2028 or through a dedicated EV Charging Strategy? b) Reasonable Alternatives for the Spatial Distribution of the EV Charging Network in Cork City c) Reasonable Alternatives for the EV Charging Strategy Delivery Timeframe. An evaluation of the potential effects of the reasonable alternatives on the baseline environment was carried out in accordance with the SEA Directive and best practice guidelines. A summary of this evaluation is presented below: a) Is it preferable to progress the expansion of the EV Charging Network in Cork City through the Cork City Development Plan 2022 - 2028 or through a dedicated EV Charging Strategy? o It was determined that developing and adopting a dedicated, bespoke EV Charging Strategy was preferred over using the CDP to deliver the expansion of the EV charging network given that a dedicated Strategy would provide a greater degree of focus and specificity in relation to the development of EV charging infrastructure in Cork City. This would result in a more appropriately focussed, detailed and extensive Strategy and a more concentrated effort for delivery. This approach was predicted to be more likely to result in the development of a suitable EV charging network in Cork City, and, as a result, will better support the uptake in EVs, a reduction in the use of ICE-based vehicles and associated emissions, and a reduction in transport sector GHG emissions overall in Cork City. This approach is more likely to maximise potential positive environmental effects on material assets, climate, air quality and population and human health associated with the delivery of an expanded EV charging network in Cork City. b) Reasonable Alternatives for the Spatial Distribution of the EV Charging Network in Cork City.

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Page 7 of 103

CLIENT:

Cork City Council

PROJECT NAME: REPORT TITLE:

Cork City Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy

SEA Environmental Report

o Seven reasonable alternative Scenarios were considered under this heading. Among the number of reasonable alternative spatial distribution strategies, Scenario 2 was determined to be the preferred Reasonable Alternative spatial distribution approach. Scenario 2 best aligns with potential EV charging requirements analysed and identified in by the national Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy 2022-2025. It is predicted that Scenario 2 will better accommodate universal access to EV charging infrastructure, an uptake in EVs in Cork City, and the realisation and maximisation of potential positive environmental effects associated with Strategy implementation - on material assets, the climate environment, local air quality and population and human health. c) Reasonable Alternatives for the EV Charging Strategy Delivery Timeframe. o Two reasonable alternatives were considered under this heading. It was determined that a phased delivery of EV charging infrastructure across two delivery phases, 2023 - 2025 and 2025 - 2030, will align with predicted levels of EV uptake defined in Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy 2022-2025. Evaluation of the Environmental Effects of Strategy Implementation A detailed evaluation of the potential effects of the preferred Strategy on the baseline environment was carried out in accordance with the SEA Directive and best practice guidelines. A concise and non-technical summary of the key environmental effects associated with Strategy implementation is presented below. The potential negative effects presented assume the absence of the appropriate mitigation defined in this Non-technical Summary and in Section 8 of the main body of this SEA Environmental Report. • The evaluation is strategic and high-level in nature given the strategic nature of the Strategy. • Environmental effects of the Strategy have been described in accordance with descriptive terminology defined in the Environmental Protection Agency's guidance document entitled 'Guidelines on the information to be contained in Environmental Impact Assessment Reports' (2022). • The evaluation considers all potential direct, indirect/secondary, cumulative 1 , synergistic 2 , short, medium and long-term, permanent and temporary, positive and negative environmental effects. • The evaluation considers inter-relationships and interactions between one environmental component and another which can result in an environmental impact. • The evaluation considers all potential environmental effects arising from unforeseen abnormal events. • The evaluation considers potential transboundary effects. • The potential environmental effects described are the potential effects that could occur in the absence of appropriate environmental mitigation. • AA Screening concluded that the Strategy is not likely to have any significant effects on European sites, alone or in combination with other plans or projects, however. Consequently, a Stage 2 AA is not required for the Strategy. This conclusion has appropriately informed the environmental effect analysis in accordance with Integrated Biodiversity Assessment principles.

1 The addition of many minor or insignificant effects, including effects of other projects, to create larger, more significant effects. 2 The addition of effects to create a total effect greater than the sum of the individual effects so that the nature of the final impact is different to the nature of the individual impact.

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Page 8 of 103

CLIENT:

Cork City Council

PROJECT NAME: REPORT TITLE:

Cork City Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy

SEA Environmental Report

Mitigation Measures

Overview of Mitigation Measures Potential negative environmental effects that may occur as a result of the implementation of the Strategy (without considering any mitigation) were identified. The SEA Directive requires that mitigation measures to prevent, reduce and as fully as possible offset any potential significant negative environmental effects due to the implementation of a plan are defined. Following the evaluation of the environmental effects of Strategy implementation, the following forms of mitigation were adopted to ameliorate the negative environments of the Strategy:

Mitigation through consideration of alternatives.

•

• Mitigation through integration of environmental considerations into the Strategy. • Mitigation through consideration of development management standards/environmental protection objectives contained in the CDP.

Environmental considerations were appropriately taken into account during the Strategy-development process and when considering reasonable alternatives. The preferred Strategy has been chosen on the basis that it will generate the maximum level of positive environmental effects, and the minimum level of negative environmental effects. The Strategy-development process was carried out in parallel with the SEA process. Regular communication and interaction took place between the environmental assessment team and the Strategy development team. Environmental considerations that came to light during the SEA process, including consultation processes, were regularly communicated to the Strategy-development team during the Strategy-development process. As necessary, environmental mitigation measures to ameliorate the potential negative environmental effects of implementing the Strategy were developed and then integrated into the Strategy. This process ensured optimal Strategy development and environmental outcomes. Environmental considerations were also integrated into the Strategy so as to facilitate maximising identified positive environmental effects of the Strategy. Additional text clarifying environmental protection related obligations and environmental enhancement opportunities has been attached to a variety of defined proposals in the Strategy. This text has been shaped to ensure that environmental considerations are appropriately taken into account during Strategy implementation. This text has been shaped to ensure Strategy implementation generates the minimum level of negative environmental effects and the maximum level of positive environmental effects. A set of additional environmental mitigation measures were also defined and integrated into a separate section of the Strategy. These additional mitigation measures shall be adopted during the implementation of the Strategy. In addition to the environmental mitigation measures integrated into the Strategy, the development management standards and environmental protection measures defined in the Cork City Development Plan 2022 - 2028 (CDP) will serve to mitigate the environmental effects of any development proposals supported by the Strategy. These development management standards/environmental protection measures have been defined for the express purpose of ensuring proper planning and sustainable development in the local authority functional area. The CDP has been subject to its own SEA and AA. The Strategy has been prepared having appropriate regard to the policies and objectives contained in the CDP.

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CLIENT:

Cork City Council

PROJECT NAME: REPORT TITLE:

Cork City Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy

SEA Environmental Report

Conclusions The reasonable alternative evaluation has resulted in the development of a Strategy that achieves the best environmental outcomes in comparison to other reasonable alternatives considered. The adoption of the mitigation measures integrated into the Strategy, in combination with the continued adoption of the development planning and control related environmental protection measures defined in the CDP will prevent, reduce and as fully as possible offset any potential negative environmental effects due to the implementation of the Strategy. No further mitigation measures were required for the Strategy. Monitoring Measures The SEA Directive requires that the environmental effects of the implementation of the Strategy are monitored in order 'to identify at an early stage unforeseen effects, and to be able to undertake appropriate remedial action.' A series of indicators and targets were established for identified SEOs to enable ongoing monitoring and measurement of Strategy implementation performance, the environmental effects of the implementation of the Strategy and the efficacy of environmental mitigation measures. Such monitoring will be carried out regularly to support Strategy implementation. SEO indicators are simple and effective quantifiable indicators used to measure the environmental effects of implementing the Strategy and the progress of SEO objectives and targets. SEO targets set focussed, measurable aims and thresholds that the Strategy can support the achievement of. A robust monitoring programme has been established for the implementation of the Strategy. Where monitoring identifies that the implementation of the Strategy is having a significant negative environmental effect, an in-depth review of the Strategy should take place and the Strategy should be updated in a manner that satisfactorily mitigates these environmental effects (i.e., through the adoption of additional environmental mitigation measures). Similarly, where monitoring indicates that potential positive environmental effects associated with Strategy implementation are not being adequately realised, the Strategy should be reviewed and updated in a manner that supports the realisation of all potential positive environmental effects, having regard to the overall vision and high-level objectives of the Strategy.

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