SEA Environmental Report Appendix III: Non-Technical Summary
Transport Road and rail infrastructure in the City has the potential to support reductions in energy demand from the transport sector, including through electrification of modes. 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. Existing Problems There are a number of challenges with respect to the provision of water services infrastructure, some of which are summarised above. The provisions of the new City Development Plan will contribute towards protection of the environment with regard to impacts arising from material assets. 3.9 Cultural Heritage Archaeological Heritage Archaeological heritage is protected under the National Monuments Acts (1930-2004), Natural Cultural Institutions Act 1997 and the Planning Acts. The Record of Monuments and Places (RMP) is an inventory, put on a statutory basis by amendment to the National Monuments Act 1994, of sites and areas of archaeological significance, numbered and mapped. Cork City is one of the oldest cities in Ireland and has a rich and significant archaeological heritage, ranging from seventh century monasteries to 11 th century Viking settlements and 12 th century Anglo- Norman stone walls. The medieval street pattern of Cork City is still evident today as is its historic trading centre maritime merchant ports. There are 60 archaeological sites within Cork City Centre including standing stones and medieval walls and c. 400 entries to the RMP within the surrounding towns, villages and hinterland. Churches, houses, distilleries, factories and graveyards are amongst the most common recorded monuments and sites of significant archaeological, historic and cultural importance include St. Anne’s Church, St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Blarney Castle Estate and Elizabeth Fort. Architectural Heritage Records of Protected Structures are legislated for under Section 12 and Section 51 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 as amended. Protected structures are defined in the Planning and Development Act 2000 as amended as structures, or parts of structures that are of special interest from an architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical point of view. Examples of Protected Structures in the Plan area include churches, markets, gaols, post boxes and building fronts. Clusters of architectural heritage can be found in Cork City Centre and in settlements such as Blarney, Ballincollig and Glanmire. Cork City has an important vernacular heritage with many important historic buildings and structures. Historic Street Character Areas are designated within Cork City and consist of groups of buildings with architectural and social interest, including a number of older residential areas outside the City Centre. Individual buildings of character are also identified, including farmhouses, cottages, stone walls and other local features that contribute to the architectural heritage of the area. In addition to Protected Structures, the Planning and Development Act, 2000 provides the legislative basis for the protection of Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs). An ACA is a place, area or group of structures or townscape that is of special architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest or value, or contributes to the appreciation of protected structures, whose character it is an objective to preserve in a development plan. There are various existing ACAs included under the 2015-2021 Plan, ACAs included under the 2015-2021 Plan but proposed to be modified under the Draft Plan and Proposed New ACAs under the Draft Plan. Existing Problems The context of archaeological and architectural heritage has changed over time within Cork City, however no existing conflicts with legislative objectives governing archaeological and architectural heritage have been identified.
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CAAS for Cork City Council
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