Strategic Environmental Assessment Environmental Report

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

Environmental Component

SEO Code

Guiding Principle

Strategic Environmental Objectives

Soil

(and

Ensure the long-term sustainable management of land

 Protect soils against pollution, and prevent degradation of the soil resource  Promote the sustainable use of infill and brownfield sites over the use of greenfield sites  Safeguard areas of prime agricultural land and designated geological sites  Ensure that the status of water bodies is protected, maintained and improved in line with the requirements of the Water Framework Directive  Ensure water resources are sustainably managed to deliver proposed regional and City growth targets in the context of existing and projected water supply and wastewater capacity constraints ensuring the protection of receiving environments  Avoid inappropriate development in areas at risk of flooding and areas that are vulnerable to current and future erosion  Integrate sustainable water management solutions (such as SuDS, porous surfacing and green roofs) into development proposals  Optimise existing infrastructure and provide new infrastructure to match population distribution proposals  Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all which encourages a broad energy generation mix to ensure security of supply – wind, solar, hydro, biomass, energy from waste and traditional fossil fuels  Promote the circular economy, reduce waste, and increase energy efficiencies  Ensure there is adequate sewerage and drainage infrastructure in place to support new development  Reduce the energy demand from the transport sector and support moves to electrification of road and rail transport modes  Encourage the transition to a zero-carbon economy by facilitating the development of a grid infrastructure to support renewables and international connectivity. Reduce the average energy consumption per capita including promoting energy efficient buildings, retrofitting, smart- buildings, towns and grids  To avoid, prevent or reduce harmful effects on human health and the environment as a whole resulting from emissions to air from all sectors with particular reference to emissions from transport, residential heating, industry and agriculture  Maintain and promote continuing improvement in air quality through the reduction of emissions and promotion of renewable energy and energy efficiency  Promote continuing improvement in air quality  Reduction of emissions of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, ammonia and fine particulate matter which are responsible for acidification, eutrophication and ground-level ozone pollution  Meet Air Quality Directive standards for the protection of human health — Air Quality Directive  Significantly decrease noise pollution by 2020 and move closer to WHO recommended levels  To minimise emissions of greenhouse gasses  Integrate sustainable design solutions into the City’s infrastructure(e.g. energy efficient buildings; green infrastructure)  Contribute towards the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in line with national targets  Promote development resilient to the effects of climate change  Promote the use of renewable energy, energy efficient development and increased use of public transport Protect places, features, buildings and landscapes of cultural, archaeological or architectural heritage

Land)

Water

Protection, improvement

and

sustainable management of the water resource

Material Assets

Sustainable and efficient use of natural resources

Air

Support clean air policies that reduce the impact of air pollution on the environment and public health

Climatic Factors

Achieving transition to a competitive, low carbon, climate- resilient economy that is cognisant of environmental impacts cultural heritage features and their settings through responsible design and positioning of development Safeguard Protect and enhance the landscape character

Cultural Heritage

Landscape

To implement the Plan’s framework for identification, assessment, protection, management and planning of landscapes having regard to the European Landscape Convention

CAAS for Cork City Council