SEA Environmental Report for the Draft Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028
4.11.3 Land The Plan seeks to assist with the reuse and regeneration of brownfield sites thereby contributing towards sustainable mobility and reducing the need to develop greenfield lands and associated potential adverse environmental effects. Brownfield lands are generally located within urban/suburban areas. 4.11.4 Forestry Forestry and urban woodland across the City is indicated on Figure 4.3. Urban woodlands provide recreational opportunities in addition to their heritage and economic benefits. They are a valuable resource in terms of biodiversity, recreation and tourism, and also important as links in the City’s green infrastructure network. 4.11.5 Peatlands Peatlands provide a valuable natural and archaeological resource. Peatlands are also important controllers of water levels in river catchments, providing a source of water in dry conditions and soaking up excess water during wetter periods; they actively capture and hold carbon and are an important natural resource in combatting climate change. Cutaway bogs have the potential to facilitate land uses such as employment, renewable energy generation, waste management, industrial, and tourism and recreation. Peat soils are often indicative of areas that are the most sensitive to development due to ecological sensitivities and impeded drainage issues. Blarney Bog in the north of the City is subject to ecological designations (see Section 4.6). 4.11.6 Coastline Management of the coastline and coastal erosion to the east of Cork City are topics with relevance to various environmental components. The coastline is amongst the most sensitive and valuable resources, in terms of natural and cultural heritage, scenic beauty and recreation. The coast is also an important economic resource - particularly for the fishing, aquaculture, leisure and tourism industries. The Port of Cork is a port of national significance and a significant driver of economic development in the Cork region. The Port of Cork is considered a ‘Tier 1’ Port by the Southern Regional Assembly RSES.
4.11.7 Renewable Energy Potential Under EU Directive 2001/77/EC Renewable Energy, renewable energy sources are defined as renewable non-fossil energy sources such as, but not limited to wind, solar, geothermal, wave, tidal, hydropower, biomass, landfill gas, sewage treatment plant gas, bio-gases and bio- char (i.e. the thermal treatment of natural organic materials in an oxygen-limited environment). 4.11.8 Minerals and Aggregates Minerals such as iron and copper and aggregates such as sand and gravel can occur throughout the country. Minerals and aggregates are essential to manufacturing and construction. Minerals localities within Cork City are shown on Figure 4.17. The GSI have a suite of data sources available that would be useful in planning and assessing individual projects with regard to the environmental topic(s) of soil and/or material assets. These include:
Aggregate Potential Mapping;
Bedrock mapping;
Quaternary and Physiographic mapping; and National Aquifer and Recharge mapping.
4.11.9 Transport Transport infrastructure in the City has the potential to support reductions in energy demand from the transport sector, including through electrification of modes. The Port of Cork, located to the east of Cork City is a port of national significance and a significant driver of economic development in the Cork region. Cork International Airport is located in the south of Cork City and is the second largest airport in Ireland. The City is well served by public transport and road links. The M8 motorway a network of national routes (N8/N20/N22/N27/N40) traverse the City. Irish Rail operate services via the Dublin/Cork and Waterford/Clonmel/ Limerick Junction rail lines. There are also a number of public and private bus operators and linkages.
CAAS for Cork City Council
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