Strategic Environmental Assessment Environmental Report

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

Environmental Component

Environmental Effects, in combination with the wider planning framework Effects include in-combination effects that are planned for through the wider planning framework including the NPF and associated NDP 2018, the Southern RSES and associated Metropolitan Area Strategic Plan, the Cork Metropolitan Area Transportation Strategy, adjacent Development Plans and lower-tier land use plans SEO Codes Significant Positive Effect, likely to occur Potentially Significant Adverse Environmental Effects, if unmitigated Likely Residual Adverse Non- Significant Effects

Air

and

 An extent of travel related greenhouse gas and other emissions to air. This has been mitigated by provisions which have been integrated into the Plan, including those relating to sustainable compact growth and sustainable mobility.  Interactions between noise emissions and sensitive receptors. Various provisions have been integrated into the Plan to ensure that noise levels at sensitive receptors will be minimised.  Potential effects on known architectural and archaeological heritage and unknown archaeology however, these will occur in compliance with legislation.  Landscapes will change overtime as a result of natural changes in vegetation cover combined with new developments that will occur in compliance with the Plan’s landscape protection measures.

 Potential conflict between development under the Plan and aiming to reduce carbon emissions in line with local, national and European environmental objectives.  Potential conflicts between transport emissions, including those from cars, and air quality.  Potential conflicts between increased frequency of noise emissions and protection of sensitive receptors.  Potential conflicts with climate adaptation measures including those relating to flood risk management.

 Contribution towards climate mitigation and adaptation by facilitating compact development of lands (including those within and adjacent to the City Centre and the City’s suburbs) that are served (or can be more easily served) by infrastructure and services, thereby helping to avoid the need to develop less well-serviced lands elsewhere in the City and beyond.  In combination with other plans, programmes etc., contribution towards the objectives of the wide policy framework relating to climate mitigation and adaptation, and associated contribution towards maintaining and improving air quality and managing noise levels, including through measures relating to: o Sustainable compact growth; o Sustainable mobility, including walking, cycling and public transport; o Drainage, flood risk management and resilience; o Sectors including energy and buildings; and o Sustainable design, energy efficiency and green infrastructure.  Contributes towards protection of cultural heritage elsewhere by facilitating development within an existing built footprint.  Contributes towards protection of cultural heritage within an existing built footprint by facilitating brownfield development and regeneration.  Contributes towards protection of wider landscape and landscape designations by facilitating development within an existing built footprint.

Climatic Factors

Cultural Heritage

 Potential effects on protected and unknown archaeology and protected architecture arising from construction and operation activities.

Landscape

 Occurrence of adverse visual impacts and conflicts with the appropriate protection of designations relating to the landscape.

CAAS for Cork City Council