Appropriate Assessment of the Draft Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028
3.3 Assessment Criteria and Screening 3.3.1 Is the Plan Necessary to the Management of European Sites?
The overarching objective of the Plan is not the nature conservation management of the sites, but to coordinate and plan the future development of Cork City. Therefore, the Plan is not considered to be directly connected with or necessary to the management of European Sites. 3.3.2 Elements of the Draft Plan with Potential to Give Rise to Effects The Plan provides a framework for the sustainable development of Cork City. Plan elements that could potentially the integrity of European Sites include: Provisions (such as those relating to: housing and community development; transport and mobility; climate and environment; green and blue infrastructure, open space and biodiversity; economy and employment; heritage, arts and culture; environmental infrastructure and management; key growth areas and neighbourhood development sites; and placemaking) that introduce sources for effects through construction phase such as habitat destruction, light pollution, hydrological interactions and disturbance effects; Loading pressures from the operational phase of developments – these sources could result in habitat loss, disturbance effects, interactions with water quality and habitat fragmentation; and Increasing visitors to sensitive areas during the operational phase of, for example, recreational developments. The elements of the Draft Plan with the highest potential to give rise to the effects indicated above are generally associated with construction phase elements of the implementation of the Plan. The operational phase elements of the Plan are generally consistent with the existing condition of the area; however, these will also need to be carefully considered. All Plan provisions are considered in this assessment with respect to the ecological integrity of each of the European Sites identified. The assessment considers the sensitivities/vulnerabilities of the QIs and SCIs in relation to all potential sources for effects and potential pathways for such effects. Where sources and pathways for effects are identified, potential effects are assessed in relation to the SSCOs. 3.3.3 Screening of Sites Table 3.1 examines whether there is potential for effects on European Sites considering information provided above, including Appendix I. Sites are screened based on one or a combination of the following criteria: The existence of potential for pathways for significant effects, such as hydrological links, Plan proposals and the site to be screened; The distance of the relevant site from the Council’s administrative boundary; and The existence of a link between identified threats or vulnerabilities at a site to potential adverse effects that may arise from the Plan.
CAAS for Cork City Council
8
Powered by FlippingBook