Strategic Environmental Assessment Environmental Report

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

7.3.4 Assessment against Strategic Environmental Objectives

Type 4 alternative is assessed against Strategic Environmental Objectives on Table 7.5, informed by the information provided under Table 7.3 and Table 7.4.

Table 7.5 Comparative Assessment of each of the Alternatives against Strategic Environmental Objectives

Likely to Improve status of SEOs

Potential Conflict with status of SEOs – likely to be mitigated

Alternative (selected alternative in bold )

to a Lesser degree

to a Greater degree

to a Moderate degree

Greater degree

BFF PHH S W MA A C CH L

Alternative 1: City Wide Growth Scenario

BFF PHH S W MA A C CH L

Alternative 2: Transport Orientated Development Scenario

BFF PHH S WMA A C CH L

Alternative 3: Compact Liveable Growth Scenario

BFF PHH S W MA A C CH L

7.3.5 Summary and Selected Alternative Having carried out a spatial assessment of the implications of the Plan that would be provided for by Alternative 1 “City Wide Growth Scenario” and the other alternatives, taking account of the higher-level NPF and Southern RSES objectives and the need to comply with the densities set out in Ministerial Guidelines, including those related to the Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas (2009) and Urban Development and Building Heights (2018), the Council confirm that Alternative 1 “City Wide Growth Scenario” as applied, would contribute towards proper planning, environmental protection and management and sustainable development to a significant degree less than Alternatives 2 and 3. The scenario allows for significant expansion into the existing city hinterland through the provision of low to medium densities. This scenario does not maximise the significant potential to deliver more appropriate densities to further justify the objective and projects identified in CMATS, particularly the light rail transport. Due to the extent of expansion proposed, this scenario also has greater potential negative impacts in terms of climate change, green and blue infrastructure management, the need for new physical and social infrastructure and the successful delivery of a compact, vibrant city of neighbourhoods. Having carried out a spatial assessment of the implications of the Plan that would be provided for by Alternative 2 “Transport Orientated Development Scenario” and the other alternatives, taking account of the higher-level NPF and Southern RSES objectives and the need to comply with the densities set out in Ministerial Guidelines, including those related to the Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas (2009) and Urban Development and Building Heights (2018), the Council confirm that Alternative 2 “Transport Orientated Development Scenario” as applied, would contribute towards proper planning, environmental protection and management and sustainable development to a significant degree less than Alternative 3. The scenario achieves compact growth by focusing future development within areas that are highly accessible to frequent public transport services. The scenario is particularly successful in delivery high densities that can be used to justify the delivery of an LRT for the city in a shorter time frame than is set out in CMATS (post 2031). The compact nature of growth proposed also helps mitigate potential impacts in terms of climate change, green and blue infrastructure management and the reduced need for new physical and social infrastructure. However, this scenario is less

CAAS for Cork City Council