Appropriate Assessment of the Draft Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028
4.3.1.2 Habitat or species Fragmentation As previously stated, the Plan provides for developments which have associated effects. These effects could result in the fragmentation of habitat and or species through light pollution, habitat loss and/or removal of stepping stone habitats, for example. Therefore, mitigation measures are required to ensure that there are no significant adverse effects in relation to fragmentation on the ecological integrity of any European Site. The Plan recognises the role of non-designated sites for the maintenance and enhancement of European Sites due to the connectivity and accessibility of ecological resources. The Plan provides Policy Objectives to minimise potential fragmentation and to facilitate the enhancement of ecological corridors such as riparian zones. These include Objectives 9.7 18 , 6.6 19 , 6.5 20 , 6.9 21 and Development Management Paragraph Nos. 11.222 22 and 11.213 23 (see full list of measures reproduced at Section 5 of this report). Inappropriate lighting will be minimised through the implementation of the Objectives such as: 9.18 24 , 11.54 25 and Paragraph No. 11.262 26 . Further to these provisions there are provisions related to specific ecological resources and/or habitats, such as waterways, wetlands, etc. These provisions apply to all plans, programmes and/or projects that may arise due to the implementation of the Plan and will ensure that habitat or species fragmentation will not occur in relation to the connectivity of the ecological resources necessary to maintain the ecological integrity of European Sites throughout the lifetime of the Plan. 4.3.1.3 Disturbance to Key Species Disturbance effects are cause by any activity that has potential to alter the movement patterns/distribution of species. Disturbance effects can relate to direct disturbance through human activity/movement or noise pollution. This is particularly relevant in relation to recreation/tourism, from the perspective that many of the recreation/tourism destinations or attractions in the area are in or adjacent to European Sites. European sites within and adjacent to Cork City have recreational related pressures such as water sports or hiking trails as known threats and pressures. In the context of these pressures, requirements such as Paragraph 6.62 “As with all Plan provisions, Objectives in this Section will be implemented subject to compliance with the Habitats and Birds Directives and other ecological protection objectives” in Chapter 6 “Green and Blue Infrastructure, Open Space and Biodiversity” will help to ensure that the integrity of European Sites and sensitive areas are protected. 18 (a) To ensure the delivery of the relevant policies and objectives of The River Basin Management Plan for Ireland 2018 – 2021 and any subsequent plan, including those relating to protection of water status, improvement of water status, prevention of deterioration and meeting objectives for designated protected sites. (b) To support Irish Water in its implementation of Water Quality Management Plans for ground, surface, coastal and estuarine waters as part of the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive and in the development of Drinking Water Protection Plans. (c) To support the provision of mitigation and protection measures for all protected areas, including Drinking Water Protected Areas and associated Source Protection Plans in line with the Water Framework Directives and River Basin Management Plans. 19 (a) To protect and maintain the integrity, and maximise the potential, of the natural heritage and biodiversity value of rivers, associated watercourses and wetlands in Cork City, and to (b) To promote an integrated approach to optimising opportunities associated with rivers, waterways and wetlands generate biodiversity, recreation, tourism, and economic benefits. 20 (a) To protect and enhance the City’s tree and urban woodlands in public and private ownership. Cork City Council will seek to survey, map and maintain existing important individual and groups of trees, using Tree Preservation Orders as appropriate. (b) To encourage the planting of new urban woodlands and trees where appropriate throughout the City and particularly where there are deficiencies in tree coverage as identified in the Cork City Green and Blue Infrastructure Study. (c) To support the preparation of a City Tree Strategy which provides a vision for long-term planting, protection and maintenance of trees, hedgerows and woodlands. (d) To support retaining existing trees and the planting of new trees as part of new developments subject to care on the species of tree and the siting and management of the trees to avoid conflict with transport safety and residential amenity in particular. (e) To promote the planting of pollinator friendly native deciduous trees and mixed forestry to benefit biodiversity. 21 (e) To discourage proposals necessitating the removal of extensive amounts of trees, hedgerows and historic walls or other distinctive boundary treatments. 22 Development proposals should protect watercourses in accordance with Inland Fisheries Ireland’s “Planning for Watercourses in the Urban Area” including the protection of riparian sections of rivers and streams, where possible, as set out below. Existing development will be taken into account. (1) Protection of the streamside zone, (within 15m of riverbanks); (2) Utilisation of outer riparian buffer zone (>8m) for treatment and reduction of stormflow runoff; (3) Minimal disturbance of the corridor 15-30m from the river; (4) Explore opportunities for river corridors for access and use as local amenity; and (5) Encourage riparian buffer strips on agricultural land. 23 To help protect the City’s character, all existing green and blue infrastructure (e.g., mature trees, hedgerows, watercourses, etc) shall be identified at the initial stage of the planning process and used to guide the site layout and design. 24 To require that external lighting proposals minimise the harmful effects of light pollution, are energy efficient, and do not have an excessive impact on residential or visual amenity, biodiversity or result in the distraction of road users. 25 (7) Buildings should be designed to minimise light pollution from internal and external lighting. 26 (5) Details of any construction lighting including appropriate mitigation measures for lighting specifically designed to minimise impacts to biodiversity, including bats.
CAAS for Cork City Council
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