Appropriate Assessment of the Draft Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028
Topic
Measures integrated into the Plan, including: ZO 19
To protect and preserve quayside, natural heritage and river amenities.
ZO 20 To protect and provide for the appropriate recreational, amenity and transport use of the City’s rivers and waterways. 6.6 (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. 11.220 Development proposals in or adjoining watercourse corridors should: (1) Preserve the biodiversity value of the area subject to Ecological Assessment by a suitably qualified Ecologist. (2) Not involve landfilling, diverting, culverting or realignment of river and stream corridors. (3) Not have a negative effect on the distinctive character and appearance of the waterway corridor and the specific characteristics and landscape elements of the individual site and its context. (4) Protect and enhance wetland areas. (5) In new major development locations, preferably retain and protect existing riparian habitats while providing parks in waterside locations to maximise the potential linkages between landscape, natural heritage and recreational opportunity. 11.221 Development proposals should incorporate an appropriately-sized buffer zone to maintain natural fluvial processes and to protect the water environment. Greenways and blueways within the protection zone should be considered on a case-by-case basis, subject to appropriate safeguards and assessments. Where appropriate, development proposals should enhance the green and blue infrastructure network by de-culverting, re-meandering or removing redundant structures or barriers to fish passage and enhancing bankside habitats 11.222 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. 6.61 Under the EU Freshwater Fish Directive the River Lee is designated as a Salmonoid River from its source to Cork City Waterworks. This imposes an obligation to maintain specific water quality standards and to control pollution. Species of fish found along its length include Brook, Sea Lamprey and Salmon. In addition, the River Lee and its banks provide habitats, feeding and resting grounds for a variety of protected species of birds, bats and other mammals such as the otter. 6.65 Rivers, waterways and wetlands are very important assets for Cork City, particularly the urban environment. Wetlands and waterway corridors are multi- functional in nature, as they: • Support the preservation and enhancement of wildlife habitats and natural corridors. • Provide important visual and recreational amenity. • Allow for the provision and enhancement of open space, public amenities, recreational, leisure, maritime and cultural heritage and tourist activities and development. • Provide for drainage and flood water storage. • Perform a range of important functions, particularly wetlands, which include water filtration, flood attenuation and support a wide range of biodiversity. 11.9 The following apply to all development proposals in Cork City to ensure that placemaking is at the heart of all development: (5) Increase greening in the City by designing green spaces, trees, rooftops and biodiversity areas at the earliest stage. Cork City Council will require the following, wherever relevant and appropriate: 11.262 It will be a requirement of any major planning permission for residential, community, employment, or, infrastructure related development that a Construction and Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) be prepared for the construction of the development. The Construction and Environmental Management Plan should include details such as: (1) Hours of operation. (2) Construction/phasing programme. (3) Traffic Management Plan. (4) Noise and Dust Mitigation Measures. (5) Details of any construction lighting including appropriate mitigation measures for lighting specifically designed to minimise impacts to biodiversity, including bats. (6) The management of construction and demolition waste. (7) Containment of all construction-related fuel and oil within specially constructed bunds to ensure that fuel spillages are fully contained (such bunds shall be roofed to exclude rainwater). (8) A water and sediment management plan, providing for means to ensure that surface water runoff is controlled such that no silt or other pollutants enter local water courses or drains. (9) Details of a water quality monitoring and sampling plan. (10) Measures adopted during construction to prevent the spread of invasive species (such as Japanese Knotweed). (11) If peat is encountered - a peat storage, handling and reinstatement management plan. 5.19 To support sustainable energy generation projects and pilot schemes where such proposals adhere to any relevant national or local guidelines and guidance and do not significantly impact on the surrounding environment including biodiversity, water quality and flood risk, air quality, noise pollution, transport safety (including air travel), natural, built and cultural heritage, landscape character and residential amenity. 6.7 To work with landowners, communities and other stakeholders in supporting initiatives to increase carbon sequestration through the effective and sustainable use of undeveloped, vacant and agricultural land. This could include opportunities to explore protecting soil fertility, reducing erosion, increasing soil organic matter, re-wetting bogs and peatland and restoring degraded soils. 11.265 All planning applications involving developments of 25 or more homes or over 500sqm of commercial floorspace should be accompanied by a Scheme Sustainability Statement demonstrating how the proposals positively respond to the impact of climate change through mitigation and adaption measures. The Scheme Sustainability Statement should, as a minimum, demonstrate how the following climate change mitigation and adaptation considerations inform the proposals: (1) How the location, siting, layout, design and drainage proposals maximise climate adaptation opportunities. (i) Safe, attractive and high-quality green streets through increased tree cover and planting. (ii) Delivery and access to green space and play space within a short walk from home. (iii) Reduced car parking and facilitating walking, cycling and the use of green corridors. (iv) Protection and enhancement of key green and blue spaces (v) Multifunctional open spaces and cater for a diverse range of needs, sport and recreation.
Built environment
Climate
CAAS for Cork City Council
20
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