Strategic Environmental Assessment Environmental Report

Volume 3 Specific Built Heritage Objectives - Draft Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028

26 July 2021

Draft Plan Stage

Cork City Strategic Environmental Assessment Environmental Report

CORKCITY J DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022-2021

C Weare Cork.

Comhairle Cathrach Chorcai Cork City Council

SEA E NVIRONMENTAL R EPORT

FOR THE

D RAFT C ORK C ITY D EVELOPMENT P LAN 2022-2028

Cork City Council City Hall Anglesea Street Cork

for:

Comhairle Cathrach Chorcaf Cork City Council

by:

CAAS Ltd. 1 st Floor 24-26 Ormond Quay Upper Dublin 7

J ULY 2021

SEA Environmental Report for the Draft Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028

Table of Contents List of Abbreviations ................................................................................................v Glossary...................................................................................................................vi Section 1 SEA: Introduction and Benefits ......................................................... 1 1.1 Introduction............................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Implications for the Planning Authority......................................................................... 1 1.3 Why SEA? The Benefits............................................................................................... 1 Section 2 The Draft Plan .................................................................................... 4 2.1 Introduction............................................................................................................... 4 2.2 Content of the Plan .................................................................................................... 4 2.3 Strategic Vision and Key Strategic Principles ................................................................. 4 2.4 Strategic work undertaken by the Council to ensure contribution towards environmental protection and sustainable development ................................................................................... 5 2.5 Relationship with other relevant Plans and Programmes ................................................ 5 Section 3 SEA Methodology ............................................................................... 6 3.1 Introduction to the Iterative Approach ......................................................................... 6 3.2 Appropriate Assessment and Integrated Biodiversity Impact Assessment......................... 7 3.3 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment .................................................................................. 7 3.4 Scoping ..................................................................................................................... 7 3.5 Alternatives ............................................................................................................... 8 3.6 Preparation of the Draft Plan and Members’ Amendments.............................................. 8 3.7 Environmental Report ................................................................................................. 8 3.8 SEA Statement ........................................................................................................... 9 Section 4 Environmental Baseline ................................................................... 11 4.1 Introduction..............................................................................................................11 4.2 National Reporting on the Environment .......................................................................11 4.3 Sustainable Development Goals ..................................................................................12 4.4 Likely Evolution of the Environment in the Absence of a new Plan .................................12 4.5 Natural Capital and Ecosystem Services.......................................................................14 4.6 Biodiversity and Flora and Fauna ................................................................................14 4.7 Population and Human Health ....................................................................................24 4.8 Soil ..........................................................................................................................25 4.9 Water.......................................................................................................................30 4.10 Air and Climatic Factors .............................................................................................43 4.11 Material Assets..........................................................................................................45 4.12 Cultural Heritage .......................................................................................................54 4.13 Landscape ................................................................................................................59 4.14 Overlay of Environmental Sensitivity Mapping ..............................................................64 Section 5 Strategic Environmental Objectives ................................................ 66 Section 6 Description of Alternatives .............................................................. 71 6.1 Introduction..............................................................................................................71 6.2 Limitations in Available Alternatives ............................................................................71 6.3 NPF Targets for Growth in Cork City 2022-2028 ...........................................................71 6.4 Description of Alternative Scenarios Targets for Growth................................................72

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SEA Environmental Report for the Draft Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028

Section 7

Evaluation of Alternatives................................................................ 76

7.1 Introduction..............................................................................................................76 7.2 Methodology.............................................................................................................76 7.3 Detailed Assessment of Alternatives ............................................................................78 Section 8 Evaluation of Plan Provisions........................................................... 84 8.1 Introduction..............................................................................................................84 8.2 Cumulative Effects.....................................................................................................86 8.3 Overall Evaluation .....................................................................................................87 8.4 Members’ Amendments and Environmental Consequences ............................................92 8.5 Appropriate Assessment and Strategic Flood Risk Assessment .......................................92 8.6 Integration of Climate Action into the Plan...................................................................93 8.7 Interrelationship between Environmental Components..................................................94 8.8 Detailed Evaluation....................................................................................................95 Section 9 Mitigation Measures....................................................................... 143 9.1 Introduction............................................................................................................143 9.2 Strategic work undertaken by the Council to ensure contribution towards environmental protection and sustainable development ................................................................................143 9.3 Consideration of Alternatives ....................................................................................143 9.4 Integration of environmental considerations into Zoning of the Plan ............................143 9.5 Integration of individual SEA, AA and SFRA provisions into the text of the Plan.............144 Section 10 Monitoring Measures ..................................................................... 154 10.1 Introduction............................................................................................................154 10.2 Indicators and Targets.............................................................................................154 10.3 Sources ..................................................................................................................154 10.4 Reporting ...............................................................................................................154 Appendix I Relationship with Legislation and Other Policies, Plans and Programmes ........................................................................................................ 160 Appendix II Further information on certain Amendments ................................. 186

Appendix III Non-Technical Summary……………………………...…Separately bound

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SEA Environmental Report for the Draft Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028

List of Figures Figure 1.1 Overlay of Environmental Sensitivities in Cork City..........................................................3 Figure 3.1 Overview of the SEA/AA/SFRA Plan-preparation Processes ..............................................6 Figure 4.1 European sites within and within 15 km of the City.......................................................19 Figure 4.2 Proposed Natural Heritage Areas within and within 15 km of the City.............................20 Figure 4.3 CORINE Land Cover 2018 ..........................................................................................21 Figure 4.4 WFD Register of Protected Areas: Salmonid Waters......................................................22 Figure 4.5 Areas Likely tocontain Annex I Habitats and Ramsar Site ..............................................23 Figure 4.6 Soil Type ..................................................................................................................27 Figure 4.7 Sites of Geological Interest.........................................................................................28 Figure 4.8 Landslide Susceptibility and Previous Landslide Events..................................................29 Figure 4.9 WFD Surface Water Status (2013-2018) within Cork City ..............................................35 Figure 4.10 WFD Surface Water Status (2013-2018) downstream of Cork City................................36 Figure 4.11 WFD Groundwater Status (2013-2018) ......................................................................37 Figure 4.12 Groundwater Vulnerability ........................................................................................38 Figure 4.13 Groundwater Productivity .........................................................................................39 Figure 4.14 WFD Register of Protected Areas: Nutrient Sensitive Areas..........................................40 Figure 4.15 WFD Register of Protected Areas: Drinking Water.......................................................41 Figure 4.16 OPW Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment (PFRA) Mapping............................................42 Figure 4.17 Minerals Localities....................................................................................................51 Figure 4.18 Archaeological Heritage............................................................................................57 Figure 4.19 Architectural Heritage ..............................................................................................58 Figure 4.20 Cork City Council Landscape Character Areas .............................................................61 Figure 4.21 Cork City Council Landscape Designations..................................................................62 Figure 4.22 Cork County Council Landscape Designations .............................................................63 Figure 4.23 Overlay of Environmental Sensitivities in Cork City......................................................65 Figure 6.1 Alternative 1: City Wide Growth..................................................................................73 Figure 6.2 Alternative 2: Transport Orientated Development .........................................................74 Figure 6.3 Alternative 3: Compact Liveable Growth ......................................................................75

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SEA Environmental Report for the Draft Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028

List of Tables Table 3.1 Checklist of Information included in this Environmental Report .......................................10 Table 4.1 WFD River, Lake and Transitional Waterbodies Status ...................................................32 Table 4.2 Available Wastewater Capacity in Cork City (Irish Water, April 2020)...............................52 Table 4.3 Wastewater Treatment Plant Performance ....................................................................53 Table 5.1 Strategic Environmental Objectives (SEOs), Indicators and Targets.................................67 Table 6.1 Available Strategic Reasonable Alternatives...................................................................72 Table 7.1 Strategic Environmental Objectives ..............................................................................76 Table 7.2 Effects common to Plans adopting each of the different alternatives ...............................78 Table 7.3 Comparative Assessment of Extent of Natural and Artificial Land Covers to be Developed under each of the Alternatives ...................................................................................................79 Table 7.4 Comparative Assessment of each of the Alternatives against the Strategic Objectives.......80 Table 7.5 Comparative Assessment of each of the Alternatives against Strategic Environmental Objectives ................................................................................................................................82 Table 8.1 Strategic Environmental Objectives ..............................................................................84 Table 8.2 Overall Evaluation – Effects arising from the Draft Plan..................................................88 Table 8.3 Amendments advised against which would have elevated potential for significant environmental effects ................................................................................................................92 Table 8.4 Presence of Interrelationships between Environmental Components................................94 Table 9.1 Integration of Environmental Considerations into the Plan............................................ 145 Table 10.1 Indicators, Targets, Sources and Remedial Action...................................................... 156

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SEA Environmental Report for the Draft Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028

List of Abbreviations

Appropriate Assessment

ACA

Architectural Conservation Area

CAFE

Cleaner Air for Europe

CFRAM CMATS CORINE

Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy Co-ORdinated INformation on the Environment

CSO

Central Statistics Office

DAFM DCCAE DCHG DECC DEHLG DHLGH

Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine

Department of Communication, Climate Action and Environment Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Department of Environment, Climate and Communications Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

EIA EPA EQS

Environmental Impact Assessment Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Quality Standard

European Union

FPO GSI

Flora Protection Order

Geological Survey of Ireland

GCTPS MASP

Cork City Transport and Planning Strategy

Metropolitan Area Strategic Plan

NHA

Natural Heritage Area

NIAH NTA OPW pNHA

National Inventory of Architectural Heritage

National Transport Authority

Office of Public Works

proposed Natural Heritage Area Priority Action Substance Persistent Organic Pollutants

PAS

POPs RAL RBD RMP RPA RSES

Remedial Action List River Basin District

Record of Monuments and Places

Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy

SAC SEA SEO

Special Area of Conservation

Strategic Environmental Assessment Strategic Environmental Objective

SI No.

Statutory Instrument Number

SPA

Special Protection Area

THMs

Trihalomethanes

UNESCO

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation

WHO WFD WRZ

World Health Organisation Water Framework Directive

Water Resource Zone

WWTP

Wastewater Treatment Plant

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SEA Environmental Report for the Draft Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028

Glossary

Appropriate Assessment The obligation to undertake Appropriate Assessment (AA) derives from Article 6(3) and 6(4) of the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC. AA is a focused and detailed impact assessment of the implications of a strategic action (such as a plan or programme) or project, alone and in combination with other strategic actions and projects, on the integrity of a European Site in view of its conservation objectives. Biodiversity and Flora and Fauna Biodiversity is the variability among living organisms from all sources including inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are a part; this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems’ (United Environmental Problems Annex I of Directive 2001/42/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of Ministers, of 27 th June 2001, on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment (the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive) requires that information is provided on ‘any existing environmental problems which are relevant to the plan or programme’, thus, helping to ensure that the proposed strategic action does not make existing environmental problems worse. Environmental problems arise where there is a conflict between current environmental conditions and ideal targets. If environmental problems are identified at the outset they can help focus attention on important issues and geographical areas where environmental effects of the plan or programme may be likely. Nations Convention on Biological Diversity 1992). Flora is all of the plants found in a given area. Fauna is all of the animals found in a given area. Environmental Vectors Environmental vectors are environmental components, such as air, water or soil, through which contaminants or pollutants, which have the potential to cause harm, can be transported, coming into contact with human beings.

Mitigate

To make or become less severe or harsh.

Mitigation Measures Mitigation measures are measures envisaged to prevent, reduce and, as fully as possible, offset any significant adverse impacts on the environment of implementing a human action, be it a plan, programme or project. Mitigation involves ameliorating significant negative effects. Where there are significant negative effects, consideration should be given in the first instance to preventing such effects or, where this is not possible, to lessening or offsetting those effects. Mitigation measures can be roughly divided into those that: avoid effects; reduce the magnitude or extent, probability and/or severity of effects; repair effects after they have occurred; and compensate for effects, balancing out negative impacts with other positive ones.

CAAS for Cork City Council

SEA Environmental Report for the Draft Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028

In the context of Article 6 of the Habitats Directive, mitigation measures are clearly distinguished from compensatory measures. Compensatory measures are intended to offset the negative effects of the plan or project so that the overall ecological coherence of the Natura 2000 Network is maintained. Natural Heritage The Heritage Act (1995) defines natural heritage as including flora, fauna, wildlife habitats, landscapes, seascapes, wrecks, geology, inland waterways, heritage gardens and parks. Protected Structure Protected Structure is the term used in the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) and associated Regulations (as amended) to define a structure included by a planning authority in its Record of Protected Structures. Such a structure shall not be altered or demolished in whole or part without obtaining planning permission or confirmation from the planning authority that the part of the structure to be altered is not protected. Recorded Monument A monument included in the list and marked on the map which comprises the Record of Monuments and Places that is set out county by county under Section 12 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act, 1994 by the Archaeological Survey of Ireland. The definition includes Zones of Archaeological Potential in towns and all other monuments of archaeological interest which have so far been identified. Any works at or in relation to a recorded monument requires two months’ notice to the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media under Section 12 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act, 1994. Scoping Scoping is the process of determining what issues are to be addressed, and setting out a methodology in which to address them in a structured manner appropriate to the plan or programme. Scoping is carried out in consultation with appropriate environmental authorities. Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is the formal, systematic evaluation of the likely significant environmental effects of implementing a plan or programme before a decision is made to adopt it. Strategic Environmental Objective (SEO) Strategic Environmental Objectives (SEOs) are methodological measures developed from policies which generally govern environmental protection objectives established at International, Community or Member State level and are used as standards against which the provisions of the Draft Plan and the alternatives can be evaluated in order to help identify which provisions would be likely to result in significant environmental effects and where such effects would be likely to occur, if - in the case of adverse effects - unmitigated.

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SEA Environmental Report for the Draft Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028

Section 1 SEA: Introduction and Benefits

1.1 Introduction This is the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Environmental Report for the Draft Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028. It has been undertaken by CAAS Ltd. on behalf of Cork City Council. The purpose of this report is to provide a clear understanding of the likely environmental consequences of decisions regarding the adoption and implementation of the Plan. Environmental assessment is a procedure that ensures that the environmental implications of decisions are taken into account before such decisions are made. Environmental Impact Assessment , or EIA, is generally used for describing the process of environmental assessment for individual projects, while Strategic Environmental Assessment or SEA is the term which has been given to the environmental assessment of plans and programmes, which help determine the nature and location of individual projects taking place. SEA is a systematic process of predicting and evaluating the likely significant environmental effects of implementing a proposed plan or programme, in order to ensure that these effects are adequately addressed at the earliest appropriate stages of decision-making in tandem with economic, social and other considerations. The SEA is being undertaken in order to comply with European SEA Directive 1 , which introduced the requirement that SEA be carried out on plans and programmes that are prepared for a number of sectors, including land use planning. 1.2 Implications for the Planning Authority SEA identifies the likely significant environmental effects of implementing the Plan. The findings of the SEA are expressed in this Environmental Report, which accompanies the Draft Plan on public display and identifies

how environmental considerations were integrated into the Plan and how alternatives for the Plan were considered. This report may be updated in order to take account of recommendations contained in submissions and/or in order to take account of any changes which are made to the Draft Plan on foot of submissions. The planning authority must take into account the findings of this report and other related SEA output during their consideration of the Draft Plan and before it is adopted. When the Draft Plan is finalised, an SEA Statement must be prepared which will summarise, inter alia, how environmental considerations have been integrated into the Plan. 1.3 Why SEA? The Benefits SEA is the planning authority’s and the public’s guide to what are generally the best areas for development in the City. SEA enables the planning authority to direct development towards robust, well-serviced and connected areas in the City – thereby facilitating the general avoidance of incompatible areas in the most sensitive, least well-serviced and least well-connected areas. SEA provides greater certainty to the public and to developers. Plans are more likely to be adopted without delays or challenges and planning applications are more likely to be granted permission. Environmental mitigation is more likely to cost less. An overlay of environmental sensitivities in Cork City are shown on Figure 1.1. Further detail on the weighting applied to different sensitivities is provided under Section 4.14.

1 Directive 2001/42/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of Ministers, of 27 th June 2001, on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment, transposed into Irish Law through the European Communities (Environmental Assessment of Certain Plans and Programmes) Regulations 2004 (SI No. 435 of 2004), as amended by the

European Communities (Environmental Assessment of Certain Plans and Programmes) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (SI No. 200 of 2011), and the Planning and Development (SEA) Regulations 2004 (SI No. 436 of 2004), as amended by the Planning and Development (SEA) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (SI No. 201 of 2011).

CAAS for Cork City Council

SEA Environmental Report for the Draft Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028

Most of the City is of a low to moderate sensitivity due to the low level of environmental sensitivities occurring. Higher levels of environmental sensitivities are found:  In the City centre, as a result of cultural heritage sensitivities;  Across much of the City Harbour and Estuary landscape character type, much of which is covered by a High Value Landscape designation;  In areas of Extreme and High groundwater vulnerability, which occur across much of the Plan area; and  Within and adjacent to the River Lee and its tributaries and Cork Harbour, on account of various water, ecological, flood risk and landslide risk (along the steeper valleys) sensitivities. The Plan directs incompatible development away from the most sensitive areas in the City and focuses on directing: compact, sustainable development within and adjacent to the

existing built-up footprint of the City, including its surrounding settlements; and sustainable development elsewhere. Development of areas within and adjacent to the existing built-up footprint, which are generally more robust, better serviced and better connected, will contribute towards environmental protection and sustainable development, including climate mitigation and adaptation. Compact development can be accompanied by placemaking initiatives to enable the City, including its surrounding settlements, to become more desirable places to live – so that they maintain and improve services to existing and future communities. Compatible sustainable development in the City’s sensitive areas is also provided for, subject to various requirements relating to environmental protection and management being met.

CAAS for Cork City Council

SEA Environmental Report for the Draft Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028

D Cork City

Figure 1.1 Overlay of Environmental Sensitivities in Cork City

CAAS for Cork City Council

SEA Environmental Report for the Draft Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028

Section 2 The Draft Plan

growing as a resilient, healthy, age-friendly and sustainable compact city with placemaking, communities and quality of life at its heart. This Strategic Vision is based on the following Key Strategic Principles:

2.1 Introduction The Draft Cork City Development Plan is a land use plan and overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of the functional area of Cork City over the six-year period 2022-2028. The Plan sets out the Council’s proposed policies and objectives for the development of the City over the Plan period. 2.2 Content of the Plan The Plan comprises a series of separate, but closely linked and interrelated elements. The Plan comprises two volumes:

Compact growth: Integrate land-use and transport planning to achieve a compact city with 50% of all new homes delivered within the existing built-up footprint of the City on regenerated brownfield, infill and greenfield sites identified in the Core Strategy, and to achieve higher population densities aligned with strategic infrastructure delivery. A city of neighbourhoods and communities: Develop a sustainable, liveable city of neighbourhoods and communities based on the 15-minute city concept, ensuring that placemaking is at the heart of all development. Sustainable and active travel: To implement the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Study (CMATS) and develop a transformed sustainable transport system with a significant shift toward walking, cycling and public transport and to enshrine this principle in all developments across the City. Enhanced built and natural heritage: Protect, enhance, support and develop our built and natural heritage, our open spaces and parks, and our green and blue infrastructure, and expand our built heritage with new buildings, townscapes and public spaces achieved through the highest standards of architecture and urban design. A strong and diverse economy: Support Cork City’s role as the economic driver for the region and the creation of a strong, resilient, diverse and innovative economy. A resilient City: Contribute to a framework for the transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient City, resilient to extreme weather events, pandemics, economic cycles and other potential shocks. A healthy, inclusive and diverse city: Build on Cork City’s status as a World Health Organisation designated Healthy City, offering an inclusive and vibrant environment for all whilst promoting healthy living and wellbeing. A connected city: Cork City will continue to be a highly connected city providing local, regional, national and international connectivity. A city of learning and culture: To build on Cork’s designation as a UNESCO Learning City and the city’s rich cultural heritage and to foster learning, culture, heritage and the arts throughout the City.

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Volume 1 – Written Statement Volume 2 – Mapped Objectives Volume 3 – Built Heritage Objectives

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The structure of the Written Statement is as follows:

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Chapter 1 – Introduction Chapter 2 – Core Strategy

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Chapter 3 – Delivering Homes and Communities Chapter 4 – Transport and Mobility Chapter 5 – Climate and Environment Chapter 6 – Green and Blue Infrastructure, Open Space and Biodiversity Chapter 7 – Economy and Employment Chapter 8 – Heritage, Arts and Culture Chapter 9 – Environmental Infrastructure and Management Chapter 10 – Key Growth Areas and Neighbourhood Development Sites Chapter 11 – Placemaking and Managing Development Appendix 1 – Compliance with Ministerial Guidelines Appendix 2 – Strategic Environmental Assessment Appendix 3 – Appropriate Assessment Appendix 4 – Strategic Flood Risk Assessment Chapter 12 – Land Use Zonings Chapter 13 – Implementation

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2.3

Strategic Vision and Key Strategic Principles

The Strategic Vision for Cork City included in the Plan is for Cork City to take its place as a world class city, driving local and regional growth, embracing diversity and inclusiveness and

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SEA Environmental Report for the Draft Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028

2.4

Strategic work undertaken by the Council to ensure contribution towards

comply with relevant higher-level strategic actions and will, in turn, guide lower-level strategic actions. These documents include plans and programmes such as those detailed in Appendix I 2 (see also, Section 4 “Environmental Baseline”, Section 5 “Strategic Environmental Objectives”, Section 6 “Description of Alternatives” and Section 9 “Mitigation Measures”). These documents have been subject to their own environmental assessment processes, as relevant. The National Planning Framework (NPF) sets out Ireland’s planning policy direction for the years 2018-2040. The NPF is to be implemented through Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies (RSESs) and lower tier Development Plans and Local Area Plans. The RSES for the Southern Region sets out objectives for land use planning, tourism, infrastructure, sustainable development, environmental protection and environmental management that have been subject to environmental assessment and must be implemented through the City Development Plan. As required by the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, the Draft County Development Plan is consistent with and conforms with national and regional policies, plans and programmes, including the NPF and the RSES for the Southern Region. The City Development Plan will, in turn, guide lower- level strategic actions, such as Local Area Plans that will be subject to their own lower-tier environmental assessments. In order to be realised, projects included in the Plan (in a similar way to other projects from any other sector) will have to comply, as relevant, with various legislation, policies, plans and programmes (including requirements for lower- tier AA, EIA and other licencing requirements as appropriate) that form the statutory decision- making and consent-granting framework.

environmental protection and sustainable development

Far in advance of both the submission of the Chief Executive’s Draft Plan to the Elected Members for approval and the placing of the Draft Plan on public display, Cork City Council undertook various works in order to inform the preparation of the Plan. The findings of this strategic work have been integrated into the Plan and will contribute towards both environmental protection and management and sustainable development within the City. Strategic work undertaken by the Council includes background work in relation to Plan Strategies and other provisions for a variety of sectors. The undertaking of this SEA process and the associated AA and SFRA processes contributed towards the integration of environmental considerations into individual Plan provisions as detailed in Section 9 of this report. 2.5 Relationship with other relevant Plans and Programmes It is acknowledged that many of the major issues affecting the City’s development are contingent on national policy and government funding. The Draft Plan sits within a hierarchy of statutory documents setting out public policy for, among other things, land use planning, infrastructure, sustainable development, tourism, environmental protection and environmental management. The Plan must 2 Appendix I is not intended to be a full and comprehensive review of EU Directives, the transposing regulations or the regulatory framework for environmental protection and management. The information is not exhaustive and it is recommended to consult the Directive, Regulation, Plan or Programme to become familiar with the full details of each.

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SEA Environmental Report for the Draft Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028

Section 3 SEA Methodology

3.1

Introduction to the Iterative Approach

SEA and AA documents, will be responded to and updates made to the documents where relevant. Submissions made on the Plan will be responded to and the Plan will be updated as appropriate. When the Plan is finalised, the SEA, AA and SFRA documents will be finalised. Final documents will include an SEA Statement, which will include information on how environmental considerations were integrated into the Plan, and an AA Conclusion Statement. The Plan will be implemented and environmental monitoring – as well as planning and project development and associated environmental assessments and administrative consent of projects – will be undertaken.

Figure 3.1 provides an overview of the integrated Plan preparation, SEA, Appropriate Assessment (AA) and Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) processes. The preparation of the Plan, SEA, AA and SFRA have taken place concurrently and the findings of the SEA, AA and SFRA have informed the Plan. The process is currently at a stage where the findings of this report will be placed on public display as part of the required statutory public consultations. AA and SFRA documents will also accompany the Plan on public display. Submissions made on the Plan and associated documents, including

Outputs

Process

Preparation of the Plan began

....

European SEA and Habitats Directives and transposing Regulations require SEA and AA to be undertaken, Ministerial Guidelines require SFRA to be undertaken

SEA Scoping Process (including consultations with Environmental Authorities) was carried out

SEA Scoping Report

Prediction, Evaluation and Mitigation of Environmental Impacts

The D::~,'.~~:: AA, SFRA documents were drafted in an iterative manner, whereby multiple evisions of each document are prepared, each informing subsequent iterations of others I I

The Draft Plan SEA Environmental Report AA Natura Impact Report SFRA document

~ ~

Public Consultation on the Draft Plan, SEA Environmental Report and AA and SFRA documents

.... ..I ___ Pu_b_li_c_c_o_ns_u_it_a_tio_n_Re_p_o_rt___. . . . . . . . . Final documents including SEA and AA Conclusion Statements Funding of projects that are consented through the separate, existing planning framework

Respond to Submissions and revise the Draft Plan

Finalise the assessments and prepare SEA Statement and AA Conclusion Statement to accompany the Plan

Implementation of the Plan alongside the separate, existing planning framework for administrative consent

Figure 3.1 Overview of the SEA/AA/SFRA Plan-preparation Processes

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SEA Environmental Report for the Draft Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028

Impact assessment 

Effects on biodiversity are identified and assessed and the AA considers the interrelationship between biodiversity and potential effects on European Sites. Taking into account all measures contained within the Plan, all the proposed mitigation measures deriving from the various processes were generally consistent and compatible. Indicators and associated targets have been included in SEA for monitoring European Sites. This SEA ER addresses all biodiversity-related considerations relevant for this level of assessment. This SEA ER contains all biodiversity-relevant information, data, figures and maps relevant for this level of assessment. This SEA ER has been informed by the AA findings. Submissions received have been taken on board. The preparation of the Plan, SEA and AA have taken place concurrently and the findings of the AA have informed the SEA.

3.2

Appropriate Assessment and Integrated Biodiversity Impact Assessment

Mitigation and monitoring 

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3.2.1 Appropriate Assessment Appropriate Assessment (AA) Screening and Stage 2 AA are being undertaken alongside the Plan. The requirement for AA is provided under the EU Habitats Directive (Directive 1992/43/EEC). The emerging conclusion of the AA is that the Plan will not affect the integrity of the European Sites, alone or in combination with other plans or projects. 3 The preparation of the Plan, SEA and AA has taken place concurrently and the findings of the AA have informed the SEA. 3.2.2 Integrated Biodiversity Impact Assessment Many elements of Integrated Biodiversity Impact Assessment as detailed in the EPA’s (2013) Practitioner’s Manual have been aligned with in the undertaking of the SEA for the Plan. These include: Scoping 

Reporting 

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Communication and consultation 

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3.3

Strategic Flood Risk Assessment

A Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) is being undertaken alongside the Plan. The requirement for SFRA is provided under ‘The Planning System and Flood Risk Management Guidelines for Planning Authorities’ (Department of Environment and Office of Public Works, 2009) and associated Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government Circular PL2/2014. Recommendations from the SFRA have been integrated into the Draft Plan. 3.4 Scoping The scope of environmental issues to be dealt with by the SEA together with the level of detail to which they are addressed was broadly decided upon taking into account the collection of environmental baseline data and input from environmental authorities. Scoping allowed the SEA to become focused upon key issues relevant to the environmental components that are specified under the SEA Directive 4 .

Biodiversity-relevant issues were identified for consideration at scoping stage and these are now detailed in Section 4. Reference to a zone of influence is provided at Section 4. Biodiversity data sources relevant for this local level assessment have been identified and datasets collated/gathered. The biodiversity baseline addresses designated sites and other habitats and species of ecological value. AA information has been incorporated into the SEA baseline.

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Baseline 

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Alternatives 

Impacts upon biodiversity are considered under each of the alternatives and potential conflicts can be mitigated.

3 Except as provided for in Article 6(4) of the Habitats Directive, viz. There must be: (a) no alternative solution available, (b) imperative reasons of overriding public interest for the plan to proceed; and (c) adequate compensatory measures in place.

4 These components comprise biodiversity, fauna, flora, population, human health, soil, water, air, climatic factors, material assets, cultural heritage including architectural and archaeological heritage, landscape and the interrelationship between the above factors.

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SEA Environmental Report for the Draft Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028

All relevant environmental authorities identified under the SEA Regulations as amended, were sent SEA scoping notices by the Council indicating that submissions or observations in relation to the scope and level of detail of the information to be included in the environmental report could be made to the Council 5 . Submissions made by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (one from the Geological Survey Ireland and one from the Inland Fisheries Ireland), Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and the Environmental Protection Agency influenced the scope of the assessment undertaken, the findings of which are included in this report. 3.5 Alternatives The SEA Directive requires that reasonable alternatives (taking into account the objectives and the geographical scope of the plan or programme) are identified, described and evaluated for their likely significant effects on the environment. In accordance with this requirement, alternatives for the Plan are identified and assessed in Sections 6 and 7. 3.6 Preparation of the Draft Plan and Members’ Amendments The preparation of the Chief Executive’s Draft Plan, for the consideration of Members in advance of public display was informed by the SEA, AA and SFRA processes. Advice relating to Members’ Motions to amend the Chief Executive’s Draft Plan was provided to the Members for their consideration in advance of agreeing amendments. Taking into account, inter alia, the advice on Motions and the SEA, AA and SFRA documentation for the Chief Executive’s Draft Plan, the Members agreed to amend the Chief Executive’s Draft Plan by resolution.

An earlier version of this SEA Environmental Report was updated in order to take account of these amendments. Motions that were advised against, subsequently agreed upon as amendments to the Chief Executive’s Draft Plan and which would have elevated potential for significant environmental effects are addressed specifically at Section 8.4. 3.7 Environmental Report This SEA Environmental Report predicts and evaluates the likely significant effects of the Draft Plan and the alternatives. The Environmental Report provides Cork City Council, stakeholders and the public with a clear understanding of the likely environmental consequences of implementing the Draft Plan. Mitigation measures to prevent or reduce significant adverse effects posed by the Draft Plan are identified in Section 9 – these have been integrated into the Plan. This Environmental Report will be updated in order to take account of recommendations contained in submissions and in order to take account of changes that are made to the original, Draft Plan that is being placed on public display. Changes to the Draft Plan will be examined for the need to undertake SEA and AA. The Environmental Report is required to contain the information specified in Schedule 2B of the Planning and Development (Strategic Environmental Assessment) Regulations 2004 (S.I. No. 436 of 2004), as amended (see Table 3.1). No significant difficulties have been encountered during the undertaking of the assessment to date. There is a data gap relating to WFD surface water status data. There are a number of waterbodies within the Plan area with overall status currently not assigned to them and the

5 The following authorities were notified: Environmental Protection Agency; Department of Environment, Climate and Communications; Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media; Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; and Cork County Council.

CAAS for Cork City Council

SEA Environmental Report for the Draft Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028

term “unassigned status” applies in respect of these waterbodies. The SEA ensured that the Plan contains measures that will contribute towards the maintenance and improvement of status of all water bodies within the zone of influence. 3.8 SEA Statement On finalisation of the Plan, an SEA Statement will be prepared that will include information on:

How environmental considerations have been integrated into the Plan, highlighting the main changes to the Plan that resulted from the SEA process; How the SEA Environmental Report and consultations have been taken into account, summarising the key issues raised in consultations and in the Environmental Report indicating what action was taken in response; The reasons for choosing the Plan in the light of the other alternatives, identifying the other alternatives considered, commenting on their potential effects and explaining why the Plan as adopted was selected; and The measures decided upon to monitor the significant environmental effects of implementing of the Plan.

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CAAS for Cork City Council

SEA Environmental Report for the Draft Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028

Table 3.1 Checklist of Information included in this Environmental Report

Information Required to be included in the Environmental Report Corresponding Section of this Report (A) Outline of the contents and main objectives of the plan or programme, and of its relationship with other relevant plans and programmes Sections 2, 5 and 8

(B) Description of relevant aspects of the current state of the environment and the evolution of that environment without implementation of the plan or programme (C) Description of the environmental characteristics of areas likely to be significantly affected (D) Identification of any existing environmental problems which are relevant to the plan or programme, particularly those relating to European protected sites (E) List environmental protection objectives, established at international, EU or National level, which are relevant to the plan or programme and describe how those objectives and any environmental considerations have been taken into account when preparing the Plan

Section 4

Sections 4, 7 and 8

Section 4

Sections 5, 7, 8, 9 and Appendix I

(F) Describe the likely significant effects on the environment

Sections 7 and 8

(G) Describe any measures envisaged to prevent, reduce and as fully as possible offset any significant adverse environmental effects of implementing the plan or programme (H) Give an outline of the reasons for selecting the alternatives considered, and a description of how the assessment was undertaken (including any difficulties)

Section 9

Sections 3, 6, 7 and 8

(I) A description of proposed monitoring measures (J) A non-technical summary of the above information

Section 10

Appendix III Non- Technical Summary Addressed as it arises within each Section

(K) Interrelationships between each environmental topic

CAAS for Cork City Council

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