Cork City Natura Impact Report

Appropriate Assessment of the Draft Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028

There are four main stages in the AA process as follow: Stage One: Screening The process that identifies the likely impacts upon a European Site of a project or plan, either alone or in combination with other projects or plans and considers whether these impacts are likely to be significant. Stage Two: Appropriate Assessment The consideration of the impact on the integrity of the European Site of the project or plan, either alone or in combination with other projects or plans, with respect to the site’s structure and function and its conservation objectives. Additionally, where there are adverse impacts, an assessment of the potential mitigation of those impacts. If adequate mitigation is proposed to ensure no significant adverse impacts on the integrity of European Sites, then the process may end at this stage. However, if the likelihood of significant impacts remains, then the process must proceed to Stage Three. Stage Three: Assessment of Alternative Solutions The process that examines alternative ways of achieving the objectives of the project or plan that avoids adverse impacts on the integrity of the European Site. Stage Four: Assessment where no alternative solutions exist and where adverse impacts remain An assessment of compensatory measures where, in the light of an assessment of imperative reasons of overriding public interest (IROPI), it is deemed that the project or plan should proceed. The Habitats Directive promotes a hierarchy of avoidance, mitigation and compensatory measures. This approach aims to avoid any potential significant adverse effects to the integrity of European Sites by identifying possible sources for effect early in the plan-making process and avoiding such effects. Second, the approach involves the application of mitigation measures, if necessary, during the AA process to the point where no adverse effects on the site(s) remain. If potential effects on European Sites remain, the approach requires the consideration of alternative solutions. If no alternative solutions are identified and the plan/project is required for imperative reasons of overriding public interest, then compensation measures are required for any remaining adverse effect(s). The assessment of potential effects on European Sites is conducted following a standard source- pathway-receptor 2 model, where, in order for an effect to be established all three elements of this mechanism must be in place. The absence or removal of one of the elements of the model is sufficient to conclude that a potential effect is not of any relevance or significance. In the interest of this report, receptors are the ecological features that are known to be utilised by the qualifying interests or special conservation interests of a European Site. A source is any identifiable element of the Plan provision that is known to interact with ecological processes. The pathways are any connections or links between the source and the receptor. This report provides information on whether direct, indirect and cumulative adverse effects could arise from the Plan. The AA exercise has been prepared taking into account legislation including the aforementioned legislation and guidance including the following:  Appropriate Assessment of Plans and Projects in Ireland. Guidance for Planning Authorities, Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, 2009;  "Commission Notice: Managing Natura 2000 sites - The provisions of Article 6 of the 'Habitats' Directive 92/43/EEC", European Commission 2018;  “Assessment of plans and projects significantly affecting Natura 2000 sites: Methodological guidance on the provisions of Article 6(3) and (4) of the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC”, European Commission Environment DG, 2002; and  “Managing Natura 2000 sites: The Provisions of Article 6 of the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC”, European Commission, 2000.

2 Source(s) – e.g. pollutant run-off from proposed works; Pathway(s) – e.g. groundwater connecting to nearby qualifying wetland habitats; and Receptor(s) – qualifying aquatic habitats and species of European Sites.

CAAS for Cork City Council