CLIENT:
Cork City Council
PROJECT NAME: REPORT TITLE:
Cork City Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy
SEA Environmental Report
Additionally, the SEA considered non designated sites for impacts with regards to aspects such as: Table 4-2: Ecological Connectivity and Non-designated Habitats Description
Ecological connectivity and networks (including stepping stones and corridors) Other sites of high biodiversity value or ecological importance
Coastal systems, riparian habitats, hedgerow and other blue and green infrastructure networks. Ecological connectivity and networks will be a key consideration along with invasive species - particularly those listed on the Third Schedule to the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 [S.I.477/2011]. Semi-natural habitats in National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) national surveys (native woodlands, reef systems, tidal habitats, grasslands, peatlands etc.). Trees and woodlands of national importance have been identified.
The SEA made use of available data sources including those from the NPWS, the EPA’s Framework National Ecological Network for Ireland and CORINE land cover mapping. As well as considerations related to European sites - a focus was placed on protected species outside of these designations such as bats 25 , breeding birds 26 , badgers 27 etc. as well as all related species listed within the Flora (Protection) Order, 2022 (S.I. No. 235 of 2022) 28 .
25 The Habitats Directive (1992/43/EEC) and Birds Directive (2009/205/EEC) provides legal protection for habitats and species of European importance. The overall aim of the Habitat and Birds Directives are to maintain or restore the “favourable conservation status” of habitats and species of European Community Interest. These habitats and species are listed in the Habitats and Birds Directives (Habitats Directive as above and Directive 2009/205/EC on the conservation of wild birds) with Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) designated to afford protection to the most vulnerable among them. These two designations are collectively known and referred to as European sites. Articles 6(3) and 6(4) of the Habitats Directives set out the decision-making tests for plans and projects likely to affect such sites. Article 6(3) establishes the requirement for AA. These requirements are implemented in the Republic of Ireland by the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (as amended) and the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). Further to the requirements of considerations related to European sites protected Annex IV of the Habitats Directive identifies priority species which are afforded protection in their own right - these include all Irish species of bats. Bats are also protected under the Irish Wildlife Acts, 1976 and 2000. 26 Irish Wildlife Acts, 1976 (as amended) 27 Irish Wildlife Act 1976 (as amended) and Bern Convention Appendix III 28 Which gives legal protection to 68 species of vascular plants 65 species of bryophytes in the Republic of Ireland (25 liverworts and 40 mosses). The current list of plant species protected by Section 21 of the Wildlife Acts is set out in the Flora (Protection) Order, 1999 (as amended).
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