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
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