SEA Environmental Report for the Draft Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028
(b) To require those seeking to carry out development in the environs of a scenic route to demonstrate that there will be no adverse obstruction or degradation of the views towards and from vulnerable landscape features. In such areas, the appropriateness of the design, site layout, and landscaping of the proposed development must be demonstrated along with mitigation measures to prevent significant alterations to the appearance or character of the area. (c) To encourage appropriate landscaping and screen planting of developments along scenic routes which provides guidance in relation to landscaping. Objective 6.16 Public Rights of Way To preserve all public rights of way in Cork City, encourage opportunities to enhance existing or create new rights of way to improve access to green and blue infrastructure and prohibit development that would adversely impact the routes. Objective 6.17 Open Space Strategy Cork City Council will seek to prepare a citywide Open Space Strategy during the life of this Plan to ensure that Cork City has a framework to define strategy, projects and standards to ensure that Cork City will have an excellent network of open spaces to meet the needs of its residents. Objective 6.18 Public Open Space (a) To protect, retain, improve and provide for areas of public open space for recreation and amenity purposes. There will be a presumption against development of land zoned Public Open Space for alternative purposes. (b) There will be presumption against development on all open space in residential estates in the city, including any green area / public amenity area that formed part of an executed planning permission for development and was identified for the purposes of recreation / amenity open space, and also including land which has been habitually used as public open space. Such lands shall be protected for recreation, open space and amenity purposes. (c) The development of open spaces should aim to enhance and protect natural features and views and be set in safe and secure environments with the emphasis on active open spaces accessible to and enjoyed by all sectors of the community. (d) To follow an approach of qualitative as well as quantitative standards for open spaces providing high quality open spaces with high levels of access to recreation for local communities. (e) Specific design outcomes should be framed in relation to the nature of spaces being created or enhanced (e.g. in relation to maintenance, nature exposure and connectivity, strategic landscape and social role). (f) Support measures to green the city, including re-grassing of appropriate hard-surfaced areas in locations throughout the City. Objective 6.19 City Parks and Open Space provision Cork City Council will seek to: (a) Ensure that all residents have access to a hierarchy of parks and open spaces close to their home to provide recreational need and access to nature. (b) Provide for recreational amenity needs by protecting, retaining, and improving parks and open spaces within Cork City. There will be a presumption against development of land zoned for public open space for alternative purposes. (c) Ensure that developments of all land use types provide appropriate open space to meet the needs of residents, workers and visitors. (d) Deliver projects to provide and improve the network of City Parks. Objective 6.20 Active Recreational Infrastructure (a) To ensure that all residents have access to neighbourhood scale outdoor and indoor active sports recreational infrastructure within their neighbourhood or in accessible locations. (b) To protect and retain the range and quality of existing active recreation infrastructure within the City by applying a presumption against the loss of land zoned for Sports Grounds and active recreation purposes to other forms of development. (c) To support the development of active recreation infrastructure (including outdoor and indoor facilities) in Cork’s City Parks while also ensuring the continued improvement of their passive recreational offer, natural setting and biodiversity credentials. (d) Active recreation infrastructure should meet current and future growth needs of the City and shall incorporate universal design principles to ensure accessibility for all ages and abilities and which is designed in a manner to reduce anti-social behaviour and shall be accessible by sustainable means of transport such as walking, cycling, greenways and public transport. (e) To develop a robust feasibility study to examine the provision of sports facilities including multi-use hubs, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, indoor sports facilities and artificial grass pitches. (f) To require new residential developments over 10 units and other major developments to meet those active recreation needs generated by the development with the provision of appropriate active recreation infrastructure. Objective 6.21 River Use and Management Plan To commission a river use and management plan to: (a) Examine the commercial and recreational potential of the River Lee and Upper Harbour area for all users (i.e. general public, visitors and tourists). (b) Identify essential infrastructure and appropriate locations for the delivery of this infrastructure in partnership with key stakeholders, such as a new public slipways, pontoon and additional facilities. Objective 6.22 Natural Heritage and Biodiversity (a) To protect, promote and enhance Cork City’s natural heritage and biodiversity. (b) To support the implementation of the National Biodiversity Plan and the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan and successor publications in Cork City. (c) To support and implement the biodiversity actions from the Cork City Heritage and Biodiversity Plan (2021-2026) in partnership with all relevant stakeholders. (d) Cork City Council will seek to establish and use a City biodiversity database, accessible across all council departments for consideration in land management decision-making. (e) Cork City Council will seek the enhancement of existing, and the delivery of new, biodiversity-rich areas throughout the City including individual buildings, streets, public and private spaces by supporting the provision of green roofs and walls, rain gardens, biodiversity-rich parklets, rainwater harvesting, natural banks and naturalised SUDS. (f) Cork City Council will seek, where appropriate, to enhance the linear habitat connectivity, including the interconnection and enhancement of:
CAAS for Cork City Council
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