Client:
Cork City Council
Date:
March 2024
Project Title: Cork City LECP 2024-2029 Document Title: Appropriate Assessment Screening Report
Document Issue: draft
4.2 Assessment Criteria and Screening 4.2.1 Is the Plan Necessary to the Management of European Sites?
The overarching objective of the Plan is not the nature conservation management of the sites, but to guide the sustainable economic and community development of the City. Therefore, the Plan is not considered to be directly connected with or necessary to the management of European sites. 4.2.2 Elements of the Plan with Potential to Give Rise to Effects The High Level Goals (HLGs) of the LECP are outlined in Section 2 above. Each of these goals and supporting actions (appendix 1) have been assessed in relation to their potential to result in likely significant effects on European sites within the study area (Table 4.1). As outlined in the European Commission Environment DG document “ Assessment of plans and projects significantly affecting Natura 2000 sites: Methodological guidance on the provisions of Article 6(3) and (4) of the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC”, impacts that require consideration can be categorised under a number of headings: • Loss / reduction of habitat area (e.g. due to the development of new projects) • Disturbance to Key Species (e.g. increased public access to protected sites, or during the construction phase of infrastructure projects) • Habitat or species fragmentation • Reduction in species density • Changes in key indicators of conservation value such as decrease in water quality / quantity (e.g. through inadequate wastewater treatment, run-off of pollutants during construction and operation of developments, agricultural runoff) In summary, it is determined that the HLGs outlined in the Draft Socio-Economic Statement and HLGs document are not expected to result in any significant effects on European sites. The six goals (HLG1; HLG2; HLG3; HLG4: HLG5; HLG6) relate to service delivery, coordination, and promotion. The goals are strategic in nature and do not specify a quantum or location for future land use and development. The goals have been devised to work together to ensure the balanced and environmentally sustainable development of Cork City. They do not conflict with, present alternative or competing proposals set down in the Cork City Development Plan (CDP) 2022-2028. The CDP has been subject to an Appropriate Assessment. The goals and objectives of the Cork City LECP do not go beyond those already contained within the CDP. These objectives have already been assessed for Appropriate Assessment as part of the Cork City CDP 2022-2028 and the current plan proposals will not result in any activities over and above those already committed to as part of the above plan. The HLGs set out in LECP draft Socio-economic statement do not set the framework for future development consent of projects. In this regard, at this stage in the LECP preparation process they do not place limits on activities or development, influence location, nature, size or operating conditions nor do they dictate or specifically direct the allocation of resources (note that the detailed actions to be prepared later in the process may include specifications such as those relating to the location of development – these will be screened for the need to undertake AA). Specific projects/ developments, yet to be devised will be subject to normal planning requirements including the Habitats Directive Article 6 procedure as appropriate. Similarly plans, programmes and projects related to sectors outside of local
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