Appropriate Assessment of the Draft Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028
The Draft Plan accounts for noise pollution effects through its provisions affording protection to European sites by ensuring any projects that arise from the implementation of the Draft Plan avoid or minimise noise in compliance with the Environmental Noise Directive and associated National Regulations through the Cork City Council Noise Action Plan 2018-2023, for example Objective 9.19 27 and various Development Management provisions. The Plan also provides for measures relating to air quality including Strategic Objective 8: Environmental Infrastructure 28 . Policies to ensure the protection of habitat quality have been built into the Draft Plan; identified above, further details see Section 5. 4.3.1.4 Reduction in species density Species densities are reliant on species distributions, habitat condition, connectivity of ecological resources and availability of resources such as prey/food. The Draft Plan introduces potential sources for effects to affect these four determinant factors for species densities in the form of construction phase effects such as habitat destruction, light pollution, hydrological interaction or operational effects such as disturbance effects, habitat encroachment, trampling etc. However, the Draft Plan contains provisions to enhance biodiversity, landscape and the environment within the City as identified above. Similarly, the Draft 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. Further to these provisions there are objectives related to specific ecological resources and/or habitats such as Objectives 6.5 29 and 6.22 30 . These policies apply to all plans, programmes and projects that may arise due to the implementation of the plan. Measures relating to light pollution, noise pollution, habitat loss and fragmentation are addressed above (further detailed in Section 5). In addition to this the Draft Plan identifies policy objectives to protect and improve water quality interactions which can influence species densities. There are also a number of provisions relating to protective buffer zones, further assessment requirements as well as commitments to increasing water quality standards etc. These measures are detailed across the Draft Plan; however, Chapters 6 and 9 of the Draft Plan, for example, provide specific focus to the protection and management of biodiversity and the environment. Further details in relation to the mitigation measures incorporated into the text of the Draft Plan see Section 5 below. 4.3.1.5 Changes of Indicators of Conservation Value Water quality is the primary macro indicator of conservation value. The Plan contains many robust provisions to ensure the protection of both surface and ground water quality. Development within the vicinity of groundwater or surface water dependant European Sites will not be permitted where there is potential for a likely significant impact upon the groundwater or surface water supply to the European Sites. Provisions that specifically relate to the protection of water quality which account for potential
27 To support the implementation of the objectives of The Cork Agglomeration Noise Action Plan 2018 – 2023 and promote the pro-active management of noise where it is likely to have significant adverse impacts on health and quality of life. 28 To ensure the efficient and sustainable use of water services infrastructure. To enhance water quality and water resource management. To sustainably manage waste generation and treatment. To support circular economy principles. To improve air quality and levels of pollution in the urban and hinterland areas of Cork City. To promote the pro-active management of noise. To support the investment and delivery of environmental infrastructure to serve the compact growth of Cork City, including water and waste water services, digital infrastructure, renewable energy and environmental improvements. Proposals for new development in Cork City will not be permitted where they would have an unacceptable detrimental impact on water resources or infrastructure, water quality or air quality, have inadequate waste management mitigation, generate excessive noise or otherwise have an unacceptable detrimental impact on the environmental infrastructure of Cork City. 29 (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. 30 (b) To support the implementation of the National Biodiversity Plan and the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan and successor publications in Cork City.
CAAS for Cork City Council
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