Appendices
Including SEA, AA and SFRA
Submission fromGeological Survey Ireland, Department of Environment, Climate & Communications (submission 92)
Issues / Recommendations / Observations
Chief Executive’s Response & Recommendation
We welcome the inclusion of the of the two unaudited County Geological Sites (CGSs) in Section 4.8.1 ‘Geological Sites’ and delineated in map form in Figure 4.7 ‘Sites of Geological Interest’ in the draft SEA report. In Chapter 6, Section 6.72 ‘Geology’ in the draft plan, we are pleased to see the inclusion of Objective 6.27. The Geological Heritage Programme views the Local Authorities as critical partners in protecting, through the planning system, those CGS which fall within their county limits. In many cases these are often sites of high amenity or educational value, already zoned or listed in the plan. Listing in the CDP provides protection of the sites against potentially damaging developments that normally require planning permission, such as building, quarrying, landfilling or forestry. It is also important that the democratic process of public consultation and approval by councillors of the CDP means that stakeholders in the sites and all the local community can buy into the process. CGSs have been adopted in the National Heritage Plan, and will form a major strand of geological nature conservation to complement the various ecological and cultural conservation measures. It is important to note however, that management issues for the majority of geological heritage sites may differ from ecological sites, and in some cases development may facilitate enhanced geological understanding of a site by exposing more rock sections - for example, in a quarry extension. Consultation at the earliest stages can identify any issues relevant to an individual site or proposed development. County Geological Sites are the optimal way of addressing the responsibility of each authority under the Planning and Development Act 2000 and its amendments, to protect sites of geological interest. It would also be
The Draft Plan includes various provisions that will contribute towards the protection of geological heritage, including Objective 6.23 Designated Sites and Protected Species (“ To protect and enhance designated sites and areas of natural heritage and biodiversity and the habitats, flora and fauna for which it is designated, and to protect, enhance and conserve designated species ”) and Objective 6.27 Areas of Geological Importance (“ To seek the conservation of important features of geological interest in Cork City ”). Objective 6.23 could be updated to take account of this part of the submission. Recommendation: Update Objective 6.23, Designated Sites and Protected Species, as follows: “ To protect and enhance ecologically and/or geologically designated sites and areas of natural and geological heritage and biodiversity and the habitats, flora and fauna for which they it are is designated, and to protect, enhance and conserve designated species ”
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