Strategic Environmental Assessment Environmental Report

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

Section 7 Evaluation of Alternatives

7.1 Introduction This section provides a comparative evaluation of the likely significant environmental effects 59 of implementing available alternatives that are described in Section 6. This determination sought to understand whether each alternative was likely to improve conflict with or have a neutral interaction with the receiving environment. 7.2 Methodology The degree to which effects can be determined is limited as implementation of the Plan will involve assessment, consideration and decision-making associated with lower tier plans and individual projects. Nonetheless a comparative evaluation of the various alternatives can be provided. Alternatives are also assessed against the nine “Strategic Objectives” that directly inform the objectives, policies and actions set out in each of the sections of the plan. These Strategic Objectives were expressed as defining principles in the Pre-Plan Consultation Issues Paper published by Cork City Council in June 2020. The Strategic Objectives are detailed in full under Section 8.8.1 of this report and relate to:  Compact Growth  Delivering Homes and Communities  Movement and Connectivity  Climate and Environment  Green and Blue Infrastructure, Open Space and Biodiversity  Economy And Employment  Heritage, Culture, Arts and Tourism  Environmental Infrastructure  Placemaking and Managing Development The alternatives are also assessed against the relevant aspects of the current state of the environment and the Strategic Environmental Objectives (see Table 7.1). The extent of natural and artificial land covers zoned for new residential and new employment developed under each alternative is quantified. Table 7.1 Strategic Environmental Objectives 60

Environmental Component Biodiversity, Flora and

SEO Code BFF

Guiding Principle

Strategic Environmental Objectives

 To preserve, protect, maintain and, where appropriate, enhance the terrestrial, aquatic and soil biodiversity, particularly EU designated sites and protected species  Ensure no adverse effects on the integrity of any European site, with regard to its qualifying interests, associated conservation status, structure and function  Safeguard national, regional and local designated sites and supporting features which function as stepping stones for migration, dispersal and genetic exchange of wild species  Enhance biodiversity in line with the National Biodiversity Strategy and its targets  To protect, maintain and conserve the City’s natural capital  Promote economic growth to encourage retention of working age population and funding of sustainable development and environmental protection and management  Ensure that existing population and planned growth is matched with the required public infrastructure and the required services  Safeguard the City’s citizens from environment-related pressures and risks to health and well-being

No net contribution to biodiversity losses or deterioration

Fauna

PHH

Population and

Improve quality of life for all ages and abilities based on high- quality, serviced, well connected and sustainable residential, working, educational and recreational environments

Human

Health

59 These effects include secondary, cumulative (see also Section 8.2), synergistic, short, medium and long-term permanent and temporary, positive and negative effects. 60 See also Section 5

CAAS for Cork City Council