Appendices
Including SEA, AA and SFRA
Submission from the Environmental Protection Agency (submissions 58 and 205)
Issues / Recommendations / Observations
Chief Executive’s Response & Recommendation
Submission from the Environmental Protection Agency raising several issues in relation to strategic environmental assessment (SEA) and related matters. Overview We acknowledge your notice, dated 26th July 2021, in relation to the Draft Cork City Development Plan 2022- 2029 (the ‘Plan’) and SEA Environmental Report. The EPA is one of the statutory environmental authorities under the SEA Regulations. In our role as an SEA environmental authority, we focus on promoting the full and transparent integration of the findings of the Environmental Assessment into the Plan and advocating that the key environmental challenges for Ireland are addressed as relevant and appropriate to the plan. Our functions as an SEA environmental authority do not include approving or enforcing SEAs or plans. As a priority, we focus our efforts on reviewing and commenting on key sector plans. For land use plans at county and local level, we provide a ‘self - service approach’ via the attached guidance document ‘SEA of Local Authority Land Use Plans – EPA Recommendations and Resources’. This document is updated regularly and sets out our key recommendations for integrating environmental considerations into Local Authority Land Use Plans. We suggest that you take this guidance document into account and incorporate the relevant recommendations, in finalising and implementing the Plan. We refer you to our previous submission, dated 5th November 2020, which we attach, and which should also be taken into account at this time
These observations are noted and acknowledged. The EPA’s ‘SEA of Local Authority Land Use Plans – EPA Recommendations and Resources’ document and their previous SEA Scoping submission has been and will be taken into account in undertaking the SEA and preparing the Draft Plan. The Draft Plan aligns with key relevant higher-level plans and programmes and is consistent with the relevant objectives and policy commitments of the National Planning Framework and the Southern Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy. Recommendation: No change.
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