Environmental Report ……………………………………………………………………. Strategic Environmental Assessment

Variation No. 2

Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019

Prepared by:

Planning, Environmental and Landscape Consultants June 2014 Environmental Report: Contents

CONTENTS

1.0 NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY ...... 1 1.1 Introduction and Background ...... 1 1.2 Steps in the SEA Process ...... 1 1.3 Content of Environmental Report ...... 2 1.4 Policy Context...... 4 1.5 Appropriate Assessment ...... 4 1.6 Contents and Objectives of Variation No. 2 of the Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019 ...... 4 1.7 Current State of the Environment ...... 8 1.8 Strategic Environmental Objectives, Targets and Indicators...... 11 1.9 Alternative Plan Scenarios ...... 13 1.10 Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Plan ...... 13 1.11 Mitigation Measures...... 14 1.12 Monitoring of the varied Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019 ...... 15

2.0 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND ...... 16 2.1 Introduction and Terms of Reference ...... 16 2.2 SEA Screening ...... 17 2.3 Variation No. 2 of the Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019 ...... 17 2.4 Purpose of the Variation ...... 18 2.5 Description of Variation No. 2 ...... 20 2.6 Format of Written Statements / Policy Frameworks ...... 23 2.7 Evaluation of Residentially Zoned Lands ...... 25 2.8 Evaluation of Employment Lands ...... 26 2.9 Legislative and Guidelines Context ...... 27 2.10 SEA Process ...... 28 2.11 Integration of the County Development Plan, SEA and Habitats Directive Assessment ...... 28 2.12 Implications of SEA for Variation No. 2 ...... 28

3.0 METHODOLOGY ...... 29 3.1 Introduction ...... 29 3.2 Screening ...... 30 3.3 Scoping ...... 30 3.4 Statutory Consultation ...... 31 3.5 Environmental Baseline Data & Alternatives ...... 35 3.6 Consideration of Alternatives...... 35 3.7 Environmental Assessment of Variation No. 2 ...... 36 3.8 Mitigation ...... 37 3.9 Monitoring ...... 37 3.10 Technical Difficulties Encountered ...... 37 3.11 Report Preparation ...... 38

4.0 REVIEW OF RELEVANT POLICIES PLANS AND PROGRAMMES ...... 39 4.1 Introduction ...... 39 4.2 Relevant International Legislation And Policy ...... 39 4.3 National Level Policy, Plans And Programmes ...... 41 4.4 Regional Level Policies And Plans ...... 43 4.5 County Level ...... 44 4.6 Sub County Level Plans ...... 46

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County i Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Contents

5.0 ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE OF THE PLAN AREA...... 47 5.1 Introduction ...... 47 5.2 Effects of Not Implementing the Plan ...... 47 5.3 Technical Difficulties Encountered and Information Gaps ...... 48 5.4 Study Area Overview ...... 49 5.5 Population, Human Health and Quality Of Life ...... 49 5.6 Biodiversity ...... 52 5.7 Soils and Geology ...... 54 5.8 Water ...... 55 5.9 Air and Climate ...... 58 5.10 Material Assets ...... 59 5.11 Cultural Heritage ...... 63 5.12 Landscape ...... 64 5.13 Interactions ...... 65

6.0 STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL OBJECTIVES TARGETS AND INDICATORS ...... 67 6.1 Introduction ...... 67

7.0 ALTERNATIVES ...... 69 7.1 Introduction ...... 69 7.2 Legislative context ...... 69 7.3 Methodology for the Selection of Alternatives ...... 69 7.3.1 Meath County Council Criteria for Phase 1 Residential Zoning ...... 70 7.3.1.1 Alternative A – Higher Density of Residential Development in each Settlement ...... 71 7.3.1.2 Alternative B – Maintenance of Existing Density levels within Settlements ...... 71 7.3.1.3 Alternative C – Stronger weighting on Town Centre Sites ...... 72 7.3.1.4 Assessment of Alternative Zonings ...... 72

8.0 STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF VARIATION NO. 2 ...... 74 8.1 Introduction ...... 74 8.2 Environmental Assessment ...... 75 8.3 Human Beings ...... 75 8.4 Soil and Geology ...... 76 8.5 Biodiversity ...... 76 8.6 Water Quality ...... 76 8.7 Material Assets – Transport ...... 77 8.8 Material Assets – Waste Water ...... 77 8.9 Noise ...... 78 8.10 Air Quality ...... 78 8.11 Climate Change ...... 78 8.12 Cultural Heritage ...... 79 8.13 Landscape ...... 79

9.0 MITIGATION MEASURES ...... 92 9.1 Introduction ...... 92 9.2 How the SEA has Influenced Variation No. 2 ...... 92 9.3 Mitigation Measures...... 92 9.4 Residual Impacts and Measures ...... 93 9.4.1 Maynooth ...... 93 9.4.2 Moynalty ...... 93 9.4.3 Pace ...... 93

10.0 MONITORING ...... 98 10.1 Introduction ...... 98 10.2 Monitoring Indicators ...... 98

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County ii Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Glossary

GLOSSARY

Appropriate An assessment of the effects of a plan or project on the Natura 2000 Assessment network. The Natura 2000 network comprises Special Protection Areas under the Birds Directive, Special Areas of Conservation under the Habitats Directive and Ramsar sites designated under the Ramsar Convention (collectively referred to as European sites).

Baseline environment: A description of the present state of the environment of the P/P area.

Birds Directive: Council Directive of 2nd April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds (79/409/EEC).

Cumulative effects: Effects on the environment that result from incremental changes caused by the strategic action together with other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions. These effects can result from individually minor but collectively significant actions taking place over time or space.

Data: Includes environmental data, proxy data, and any other relevant statistical data.

Designated authority An organisation that must be consulted in accordance with the SEA Regulations. For Ireland these are the Environmental Protection Agency (Designated (EPA), the Department of the Environment, Community and Local environmental Government (DoECLG) and the Department of Agriculture, Food & the authority): Marine (DoAFM).

Environmental The preparation of an environmental report, the carrying out of Assessment: consultations, the taking into account of the environmental report and the results of the consultations in decision-making and the provision of information on the decision (in accordance with Articles 4 to 9 of the SEA Directive).

Environmental Environmental resources, issues and trends in the area affected by the Characteristics: P/P.

Environmental An environmental indicator is a measure of an environmental variable indicator: over time, used to measure achievement of environmental objectives and targets.

Environmental Environmental objectives are broad, overarching principles which should objective: specify a desired direction of environmental change.

Environmental Include biodiversity, population, human health, fauna, flora, soil, water, receptors: air, climatic factors, material assets, cultural heritage (including architectural and archaeological) and landscape as listed in the SEA Directive. This list is not exhaustive, and can include other receptors which may arise for a particular P/P.

Environmental Report A document required by the SEA Directive as part of an environmental (ER): assessment which identifies, describes and evaluates the likely significant effects on the environment of implementing a plan or programme.

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County iii Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Glossary

Environmental targets: A target usually underpins an objective often having a time deadline that should be met and should be accompanied by limits or thresholds.

Evolution of the A description of the future state of the baseline in the absence of a plan or baseline: programme assuming ‘business as usual’ or ‘do nothing’ scenarios, depending on which is more reasonable for the P/P being proposed.

Habitats Directive: Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora.

Hierarchy of Plans: Both higher and lower level P/P relevant to the P/P being assessed.

Indirect effect: Any aspect of a P/P that may have an impact (positive or negative) on the environment, but that is not a direct result of the proposed P/P.

May also be referred to as a secondary effect

Interrelationships: Associations or linkages, related to environmental impact of the proposed P/P usually on environmental receptors.

Issues Paper: Paper produced as part of the consultation process, usually for Land Use Plans, to facilitate consultation with stakeholders on key issues.

Key environmental Those significant environmental issues, which are of particular relevance issues: and significance within a P/P area and/or the zone of influence of that P/P. These issues should be identified during SEA Scoping process.

Key environmental Aspects of the environment likely to be significantly impacted by the receptors: proposed P/P.

Material Assets: Critical infrastructure essential for the functioning of society such as: electricity generation and distribution, water supply, wastewater treatment transportation etc.

Member States: Those countries that belong to the European Union.

Mitigation measures: Measures to avoid/prevent, minimise/reduce, or as fully as possible, offset/compensate for any significant adverse effects on the environment, as a result of implementing a P/P.

Monitoring: A continuing assessment of environmental conditions at, and surrounding, the plan or programme.

This determines if effects occur as predicted or if operations remain within acceptable limits, and if mitigation measures are as effective as predicted.

The primary purpose of monitoring is to identify significant environmental effects which arise during the implementation stage against those predicted during the plan preparation stage.

Monitoring A detailed description of the monitoring arrangements to be put in place Programme: to carry out the monitoring of the impact of the proposed P/P on the environment including; frequency of monitoring, who has responsibility for monitoring, and responses if monitoring identifies significant negative

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County iv Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Glossary

impacts.

Non-technical A summary of the findings of the ER, summarized under the headings summary: listed in Annex 1 of the SEA Directive that can be readily understood by decision-makers and by the general public. It should accurately reflect findings of ER.

Plan or Programme: Including those co-financed by the European Community, as well as any modifications to them:

- which are subject to preparation and/or adoption by an authority at national, regional or local level or which are prepared by an authority for adoption, through a legislative procedure by Parliament or Government, and

- which are required by legislative, regulatory or administrative provisions. In accordance with the SEA Directive, P/P that require SEA are those that fulfil the conditions listed in Article 2(a) and Article 3 of the SEA Directive.

Post-mitigation residual Environmental effects that remain after mitigation measures have been impacts: employed.

Proxy data: Is a measure of activity resulting from a P/P which provides information on environmental impact without the need for a direct measure of an environmental receptor for example, an increase in the number of vehicles (activity resulting from a P/P) can provide information on the impact on air quality and greenhouse gases without having to measure the concentration of these parameters in the receiving environmental receptor.

Public: One or more natural or legal persons and, in accordance with national legislation or practice, their associations, organisations or groups.

Reasonable Alternatives should take into account the objectives and geographical alternatives: scope of the P/P. There can be different ways of fulfilling the P/P objectives, or of dealing with environmental problems. The alternatives should be realistic, capable of implementation and should fall within the legal and geographical competence of the authority concerned.

Scoping: The process of deciding the content and level of detail of an SEA, including the key environmental issues, likely significant environmental effects and alternatives which need to be considered, the assessment methods to be employed, and the structure and contents of the Environmental Report.

Screening: The determination of whether implementation of a P/P would be likely to have significant environmental effects on the environment.

The process of deciding whether a P/P requires SEA.

SEA Directive: Directive 2001/42/EC ‘on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment’.

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County v Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Glossary

SEA Statement: A statement summarising:

- how environmental considerations have been integrated into the P/P

- how the ER, the opinions of the public and designated authorities, and the results of transboundary consultations have been taken into account

- the reasons for choosing the P/P as adopted in the light of other reasonable alternatives.

Secondary effect: Effects that are not a direct result of the P/P, same as indirect effect.

Short-term effects: These are typical of those effects that may occur during construction stage of a development, for example, the increased traffic going to and from a site during construction, or, the noise associated with construction activities.

Significant effects: Effects on the environment, including on issues such as biodiversity, population, human health, fauna, flora, soil, water, air, climatic factors, material assets, cultural heritage including architectural and archaeological heritage, landscape and the interrelationship between the above factors.

Statutory authority: The authority by which or on whose behalf the plan or programme is prepared.

Statutory Instrument Any order, regulation, rule, scheme or bye-law made in exercise of a (S.I.); power conferred by statute.

Synergistic effect: Effects that, when totalled, result in a greater or lesser effect than the sum of the individual effects.

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County vi Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Introduction and Background

1.0 NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY

1.1 Introduction and Background The core objective of the process is to assess Variation No. 2 of the Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019 in terms of its overall environmental impact, both positive and negative and to indicate where necessary how improvements can be incorporated into the variation to improve the plan’s environmental performance.

This section of the Environmental Report is a Non-Technical Summary. The purpose of the Non-Technical Summary is to ensure that the key findings of the Environmental Report are readily understood by both decision makers and the general public. To this end technical jargon has been avoided wherever possible.

The Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) require that a Strategic Environmental Assessment, (pursuant to the SEA Directive) and an Appropriate Assessment (pursuant to the EU Habitats Directive) be carried out as part of the variation process.

The preparation of Variation No. 2 to the Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019 ran in parallel with the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Appropriate Assessment (AA) and both of these processes have significantly influenced the drafting of the variation.

In this regard environmental considerations were considered throughout the plan process and have been incorporated in Variation No. 2 ensuring a continuation of a high quality environment.

The Environmental Report is the primary element in the SEA process and is published alongside Variation No. 2 of the Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019.

1.2 Steps in the SEA Process Table 1.1 below highlights the key stages in the SEA process and the progress made to date:

Stage Description Scoping The Scoping of Variation No. 2 to the Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019 was carried out in accordance with Article 5 (4) of the SEA Directive (2001/42/EC).

The principal purpose of the Scoping stage is to decide

upon the range of issues and level of detail to be

included in the Environmental Report. An overview of Completed the relevant environmental issues requiring further analysis are given and consideration in the Environmental Report and ultimately in the adopted Variation itself. By highlighting some of the significant issues at an early stage, it ensures that the issues are firmly to the forefront when considering each of the policies and objectives of the variation and reduces the

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 1 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Introduction and Background

Stage Description possibility of relevant issues not being addressed. Consultation with Submissions were received from the EPA and the Completed the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. Environmental Authorities Scoping Report Submissions received from Environmental Authorities Completed were incorporated into the Scoping Report and baseline data was amended. Preparation of • A multi-disciplinary team was established to draft ER & create policy consistent documents and to Variation No. 2 examine the effects on the environment of implementing the objectives and policies. • Objectives created in proposed variation Completed assessed in ER and proposed zonings for the plan area examined. • Feedback from on-going Variation preparation process & ER preparation • Mitigation measures discussed and chosen. • Monitoring incorporated into existing methods. Consultation Consultation on the Draft Variation and associated Completed Environmental Report and Natura Impact Report.

Evaluation of Evaluation of submissions and observations made on Completed submissions the Draft Variation, Environmental Report and Natura Impact Report. One submission was received relating to the

Environmental Report (from the EPA) SEA Statement Preparation of an SEA Statement identifying how Completed environmental considerations and consultation have been integrated into the Adopted Variation.

Monitoring the Monitoring significant environmental effects over the varied Meath lifetime of the varied Meath County Development Plan County 2013-2019 Ongoing Development Plan 2013-2019 Table 1.1: Key Stages in SEA Process

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 2 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Introduction and Background

1.3 Content of Environmental Report The Environmental Report considers all of the following in accordance with the requirements of the SEA Directive:

1. Population, Human Health and Quality Of Life 2. Biodiversity 3. Soil & Geology 4. Water 5. Air Quality and Climate Change 6. Material Assets 7. Cultural Heritage 8. Landscape

Table 1.2 below summarises the content of the Environmental Report. In the first instance the Environmental Report details the Current State of the Environment of the county within each of the sub headings set out above, and interrelationships between each of the environmental topics. The Environmental Report examines significant environmental pressures that may affect each of the environmental topics and the current (Baseline) State of the Environment.

Section Description Non-Technical Summary A brief summary of the Environmental Report, its main points and conclusions.

Introduction Provides a description of the type of plan involved and a summary of its key aims and objectives. The purpose of the SEA process, SEA requirements, its benefits, and how Variation No. 2 and Environmental Reports have progressed are outlined.

SEA Methodology Highlights the steps taken in preparation of the SEA, the methods used and technical difficulties encountered. Relationship of the Plan with The relationship of Variation No. 2 to other relevant plans Other Relevant Plans and and programmes is highlighted. Programmes Baseline A description of the current environment of the plan area is given, highlighting any existing environmental problems in the plan area. This exercise results in a comprehensive baseline against which the likely effects of implementing the variation could be examined.

Strategic Environmental A number of environmental protection objectives which Objectives have been established at international, EU or national Level and are relevant to the plan are listed. Following this, a description is given of how the objectives and any environmental considerations have been taken into account in the preparation of the plan. Alternatives An assessment of proposed development alternatives are considered at this stage.

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 3 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Introduction and Background

Section Description Assessment The Variation policies and objectives are examined in terms of their potential effects on the various environmental parameters. Mitigation Measures Should potentially significant effects be discovered, measures to prevent, reduce or offset these effects are proposed and integrated into the Variation. Monitoring Proposals for monitoring the significant effects of the Variation on the environment are put forward. A number of indicators of change and targets are identified and existing monitoring arrangements are utilised. Table 1.2: Content of Environmental Report

1.4 Policy Context The preparation of Variation No. 2 must be considered within the context of a hierarchy of policies, plans and strategies of international, national, regional and local level as detailed in Chapter 4 of the Environmental Report. Other relevant plans, policies and programmes were considered in this report and are referenced throughout.

1.5 Appropriate Assessment An Appropriate Assessment (AA) has also been carried out in accordance with Article 6 of the EU Habitats Directive and as required under the Planning and Development Acts 2000- 2013. The AA is a separate but parallel process that has overlapped significantly with the SEA process in the drafting of the Variation, not least because of the prevalence of Natura 2000 sites within and adjacent to the county. The Appropriate Assessment specifically assesses the potential impact on Natura 2000 sites (and their conservation objectives) of the implementation of the Variation based on the Natura Impact Report and other supplementary information; the ultimate aim being to avoid significant adverse impacts on these sites. The Natura Impact Report determined that there is no requirement to proceed to Stage 3 of the AA as there is no significant detrimental effect identified as the result of implementation of Variation No. 2 to the integrity of any European Site. The Natura Impact Report is published in parallel to Variation No. 2 and Environmental Report.

1.6 Contents and Objectives of Variation No. 2 of the Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019 Variation No. 2 of the Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019 has been prepared by Meath County Council under the provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended).

Introduction The Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019 was adopted on 17th December 2012 and came into effect 22nd on January 2013. The County Development Plan includes for the first time a Core Strategy (Chapter 2). The Core Strategy outlines the preferred development strategy for the county together with future population and housing growth targets over the plan period. It also provides for a significant reduction in the number of Local Area Plans which will be retained in Co. Meath and to incorporate written statements outlining development objectives and land use zoning objectives for 29 settlements which presently have Local Area Plans into the County Development Plan by way of subsequent variation.

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 4 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Introduction and Background

Reduction in the number of Local Area Plans The Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010 enables a planning authority to incorporate existing Local Area Plans (for towns with a population less than 5,000) within the framework of the County Development Plan. Towns with a population above 5,000 must have a Local Area Plan in accordance with the requirements of Section 19 (1)(b) of the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2013.

The Meath County Development Plan 2013 – 2019, reacting to this legislative amendment, outlines the revised land use planning framework for individual towns and villages which are not separate Town Councils (Core Strategy objectives CS OBJ 1, CS OBJ 2 & CS OBJ 3 refer). The Core Strategy of the County Development Plan includes proposals to reduce the number of Local Area Plans in place in the county, from 40 no. at present (including individual and grouped urban centres) to 6 no. in total. Local Area Plans will be retained only for the following centres:

1. Ashbourne; 2. Drogheda (Southern) Environs; 3. Dunboyne / Clonee / Pace; 4. Dunshaughlin; 5. Ratoath; and 6. Bettystown-Laytown-Mornington East-Donacarney-Mornington.

This decision was primarily based on their respective population recorded in the 2011 Census of Population. It is also proposed to retain a Local Area Plan for Dunshaughlin although not exceeding the requisite population threshold on the basis that this centre requires the preparation of a Local Transport Plan.1 Local Area Plans are presently in place for 5 of these centres. A new draft Local Area Plan being prepared for Bettystown-Laytown- Mornington East-Donacarney-Mornington is currently at material alterations stage.

Incorporation of Development Objectives into the Development Plan For the remaining 29 centres, a written statement inclusive of development objectives and land use zoning objectives is now being incorporated into the County Development Plan by way of this variation. This required the review of the more extensive written statements, development and land use zoning objectives which previously applied to these centres as contained within their respective Local Area Plans. The resultant condensed written statements, policy framework and land use zoning objectives for these centres are consistent with the objectives of the County Development Plan including the Core Strategy. The written statements for settlements contained within Variation No. 2 will replace the Local Area Plans for these centres, each of which will be revoked pursuant to a separate statutory process.

Written statements have been prepared for the following 29 development centres within their respective Electoral Areas.

Table 1.3: Development Centres incorporated into Meath County Development Plan 2013- 2019 by way of Variation No. 2

1 The NTA’s draft Transport Strategy sets out the requirement to include in the Development Plan an objective to undertake local transport plans for ‘Designated Towns’, as well as more detailed local transport plans for ‘Designated Districts’ (see Measure LU3 of the NTA’s draft Transport Strategy). Dunshaughlin is a designated district in the draft Transport Strategy.

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 5 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Introduction and Background

Dunshaughlin Electoral Area 1. Kilbride 3. Kilmessan 4. Maynooth Environs 2. Kilcock Environs

Kells Electoral Area 5. Athboy 9. Carlanstown 12. Carnaross 6. Crossakiel 10.Drumconrath 13. Kilmainhamwood 7. Moynalty 11.Nobber 14. Oldcastle 8. Rathcairn Navan Electoral Area 15. Baile Ghib (Gibbstown) 16.Kentstown

Slane Electoral Area 17. Donore 19.Duleek 21. Gormonston 18. Julianstown 20.Slane 22. Stamullen

Trim Electoral Area 23. Ballivor 26.Clonard 28. Enfield 24. Kildalkey 27.Summerhill 29. Longwood 25. Rathmolyon

Each written statement consists of an outline of the development strategy for each centre, followed by a policy framework consisting of policies and objectives. A land use zoning objectives map for each centre has also been produced and other development objectives are also included, where possible, on these maps. These land use zoning maps supercede the land use zoning objective maps contained in the respective Local Area Plan for each urban centre.

Household Allocation Table 2.4 of the County Development Plan, which is contained in the Core Strategy of the County Development Plan sets out for each town and village in the County the following:

1. a household allocation or target to be delivered over the period of the plan which includes 50% headroom and discounts units included in existing extant planning permissions; 2. the available zoned land which is available to achieve the stated household allocation, and; 3. the excess / shortfall of appropriately zoned land required to meet the stated household allocation.

Table 2.4 of the County Development Plan demonstrates that, at the time of its adoption, there was an excess of residentially zoned land contained in most of the towns and villages in Meath for which Local Area Plans had previously been prepared. The County Development Plan, as varied, presents a strategy to deal with the excess of residentially zoned land as it applies to such urban centres. In order to address the level of over provision of zoned residential lands, phasing of land in the form of an Order of Priority is established as part of Variation No. 2 and is detailed in the accompanying written statements & land use zoning objectives maps incorporated into the Development Plan.

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 6 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Introduction and Background

Review of Local Area Plans There is a statutory obligation on Meath County Council to review any Local Area Plans being retained which are considered no longer consistent with the Core Strategy of the County Development Plan. The Core Strategy also requires the review of remaining Local Area Plans to ensure that their land use strategy is consistent with the County Development Plan.

The existing Local Area Plans for Ashbourne, Drogheda (Southern Environs), Dunboyne / Clonee / Pace, Dunshaughlin and Ratoath were therefore reviewed to ensure that they adhered to the provisions of the new County Development Plan, including demonstrating consistency with the Core Strategy & Economic Strategy. Land use zoning objectives for these centres is incorporated into the County Development Plan as part of Variation No. 2 (CS OBJ 2 refers). This introduces an Order of Priority to lands identified for residential and employment generating land uses. The amendments to the text of the Local Area Plans will be published by way of a subsequent statutory process.

Phasing of Land Section 2.3.4 of Volume I of the Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019 provides Guidelines for the Review of Local Area Plans / Development Plans. It indicates that a number of options are available when addressing excess residential zoning which have been identified in order to ensure consistency with the Development Plan and its Core Strategy. It is clear that different options are available depending on whether the existing plan is being varied or amended or a new plan being prepared:

1. Prioritising/Phasing of Development: establishing a phasing programme for the release of lands which is linked to household allocations and capacity in infrastructure and indicating which lands will be considered for development purposes during the plan period;

2. Alternative Land Use Zoning Objectives: identifying alternative, appropriate uses within the plan period such as employment, amenity or community uses. The need and justification for such uses shall be taken into account and, in the case of employment uses, shall be consistent with the Development Plan and Regional Planning Guidelines Economic Strategy. Any proposed alternative land use zoning objective must be clearly justifiable and realistic in terms of the timeframe in which the zoning objective will be achieved, and;

3. Discontinuing the Land Use Zoning Objective: deleting the zoning objective and related lands from the written statement and maps of the plan.

The appropriateness of each of the 3 options has been considered and has taken into account the position of the town/village in the settlement hierarchy which will influence the likely future demand for residential zoned land, the recommendations of the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment and Management Plan and the adequacy of existing facilities in the centre.

Summary The land use zoning objectives maps have achieved consistency with the Core Strategy set out in Volume I of the County Development Plan by only identifying the quantity of land required to meet household projections as set out in Table 2.4 for release during the lifetime of the Meath County Development Plan 2013–2019 (CS OBJ 6 refers). It has also confirmed the continued appropriateness of the nature, location and quantum of industrial and

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 7 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Introduction and Background employment generating land use (ED OBJ 2 refers). Thus, Variation No. 2 has realised a number of objectives contained in the Meath County Development Plan 2013 – 2019.

1.7 Current State of the Environment The Meath County Development Plan (CDP) 2013–2019 sets out the overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of the county over a six year period. The plan has a critical role to play in ensuring that the needs of future population growth are planned for. The CDP settlement strategy has been informed by the Regional Planning Guidelines (RPGs) and the environmental sensitivities of the county. It is based on building strong urban centres while protecting the rural hinterlands. The plan also emphasises the need to protect the built heritage, unique landscape, natural heritage and biodiversity of the county for their intrinsic value and as a resource for the tourist economy of the future.

The Settlement Strategy for the urban centres of the county aims to deliver consolidated growth. By consolidating development, it is intended that the towns and villages will develop in a self-sufficient manner, reducing commuting levels and ensuring sustainable levels of population and economic growth, while providing a full range of local services adequate to meet local needs.

Over the last 20 years, the settlements in the county have experienced unprecedented expansion. The majority of this development has been residential in nature, with housing demand focussed on those settlements that can readily serve commuters to Dublin City and suburbs.

The county hosts a wealth of environmentally designated sites of national and international importance, including sites of international cultural heritage importance such as the World Heritage Site of Brú na Bóinne and sites of European importance for protection of habitats and species such as the River Boyne and River Blackwater candidate Special Area of Conservation. These and other sites in the county will have a direct relevance to the potential environmental impacts of the growth of the settlements.

Chapter 5 of the Environmental Report describes in detail the current Environmental Baseline of the County using available environmental data. The current state of the environment and its evolution is described as well as any existing environmental problems affecting the area.

Topic Environmental Issue/Pressures The natural heritage of County Meath is an important asset and a unique resource. Within the plan area there are a number of areas designated for protection under the Natura 2000 network.

An apparent decline in the occurrence of rare/threatened and scarce plant species in Co. Meath can be attributed to a degradation of semi-natural habitats that is due in part to changes in agricultural practices, but is also due Biodiversity, to development pressures on the land, pressures that are increased in those Fauna and Flora settlements with good connectivity to Dublin.

The Natura Impact Report prepared separately identifies of the types of threats to the integrity of the European sites. These can then be related to the consequences of implementing Variation No. 2 to see if there is any risk of likely significant effects.

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 8 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Introduction and Background

Topic Environmental Issue/Pressures There are environmental issues existing with regard to the current population of the plan area. The unprecedented growth of the past fifteen years has placed considerable strain on the ability of many of the settlements to provide Population and the physical and social infrastructure needed to support its increased Human Health & population. The settlement pattern in the county has resulted in a pattern of Quality of Life unsustainable commuting which has been shown to have a negative impact on human health and quality of life.

Soil is lost annually through the development of agricultural land. The number of hectares, which are rezoned annually on a countrywide basis is not known, nor is the quantity of soil loss through surface sealing. Urban environments have greatly changed in Ireland with the centres of population and towns Soil & Geology being subjected to depopulation with growth focused on the periphery of these areas. With urban expansion, agricultural land surrounding towns and settlements as well as green areas within them are subjected to increasing pressures.

The Meath County Groundwater Protection Scheme identifies ‘Extreme Vulnerability’ across the majority of the county particularly to the north and Water east. A substantial proportion of the remaining groundwater is identified as being of ‘High Vulnerability’.

The Climate Change Strategy and Energy Management Action Plan 2011-2012 prepared by the Meath Local Authorities sets out the strategy for County Meath in mitigating and adapting to climate change. It aims to clearly identify the solutions to the challenge of reducing energy related emissions. It also outlines the actions to be taken to meet the requirements as set out in the National Climate Change Strategy. Air quality within the county is generally good. Increased greenhouse gas emissions have been linked with climate change resulting in increases in the Air and Climate intensity and frequency of flooding. Of particular concern is the high dependency on the use of the private car within the plan area. The residents of the settlements rely heavily on the use of private cars for transport. Travel patterns show that a high proportion of residents commute long distances by car to school and work, mostly to Dublin. Material Assets –

Transportation There is a need to improve cycling and pedestrian facilities to provide for the sustainable development of the area. Increasing movements within the area in this regard should be a priority. Both public and private waste collectors have a responsibility with regards to - Waste meeting Waste Management targets. Increased facilities for recycling should Management be provided to reduce the levels diverted to landfill.

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 9 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Introduction and Background

Topic Environmental Issue/Pressures Significant water capacity issues exist within the water treatment plants which supply the County. Stalleen Water Treatment Works is nearing capacity. The - Water Supply current water supply situation places a constraint on additional large-scale development in the environs of Drogheda, Dunboyne, Clonee and other areas within the County

In general there is limited capacity in most of the waste water schemes in the - Wastewater County for significant further development, when existing demands together with permitted developments have been connected.

- Energy County Meath is overly reliant on external and non renewable energy sources.

Meath is known as the Heritage Capital of Ireland. It contains many sites of international heritage significance, including the World Heritage Site of Brú na Cultural Heritage Bóinne and the Hill of Tara. It is essential that the valuable heritage assets of the County are protected from pressures that can arise from certain developments and activities on or near such sites of heritage value.

County Meath has a rich and varied landscape with historic features dating back to prehistory and many well-known tourist attractions related to its heritage. Landscape The landscape supports a wide range of ecological habitats despite the rapid growth in its resident population. The Landscape Character Assessment for Meath has identified that the unprecedented population growth experienced in the County as a threat to its landscapes and historic settlement structure. Modern unsympathetic development is also a threat to the landscape quality. Cumulative impacts and interaction of above mentioned items can give rise to increased pressure on the environment. The impacts and interactions will obviously vary in extent and nature. In particular, issues regarding water Interrelationship quality, climate change and flooding cross a number of environmental areas. Population increase and changes in peoples’ activities and settlement patterns can also impact on a wide range of the topics mentioned above. Table 1.4: Summary of Main Environmental Issues within the Plan Area

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 10 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Introduction and Background

1.8 Likely evolution of the area without implementation of Variation No. 2 Section 1.6 above sets out the rationale for Variation No.2. The main effects of not implementing Variation No. 2 would be to retain a scale of residential zoning in excess of that required to meet current expected demand; increase the potential risk of flooding on new and/or existing development; permit development within settlements that exceeds local sustainable demand; and increase potential negative effects on environmental aspects, including human beings, natural heritage, landscape, transport, air, water, soil, etc.

1.9 Strategic Environmental Objectives, Targets and Indicators Strategic Environmental Objectives (SEOs) assist in the prediction, description and monitoring of impacts on the environment as a result of Variation No. 2. The Objectives are based on the overall strategy of the Planning Authority to safeguard the environmental integrity of the plan area and to develop in a sustainable manner. The Strategic Environmental Objectives are set out in Table 1.5 below.

Environmental Ref: Objective Parameter Conserve and where possible enhance the diversity of B1 designated and non-designated habitats and species avoiding irreversible losses Promote measures to protect biodiversity by creating and B2 improving habitats, where possible Provide for protection of internationally and nationally Biodiversity designated sites, including Natura 2000 Sites (i.e. Special Areas B3 of Conservation (SACs) & Special Protection Areas (SPAs)) and Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs) & proposed Natural Heritage Areas (pNHAs). Avoid damage by development to designated wildlife sites and B4 protected species, and associated ecological corridors/ linkages

Improve people's quality of life based on high-quality P1 residential, working and recreational environments and on Population sustainable travel patterns Provide opportunities for sustainable public access to wildlife P2 and wild places at appropriate locations

Minimise noise, vibration and emissions from traffic, industrial Human Health H1 processes and extractive industry

S1 Maintain the quality of soils Maximise the sustainable re-use of brownfield lands, and S2 maximise and prioritise the use of the existing built Soil environment rather than developing greenfield lands Minimise the consumption of non-renewable sand, gravel and S3 rock deposits S4 Minimise the amount of waste to landfill

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 11 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Introduction and Background

Environmental Ref: Objective Parameter Protect and enhance the status of aquatic ecosystems and, with W1 regard to their water needs, terrestrial ecosystems and wetlands directly depending on the aquatic ecosystems Promote sustainable water use based on a long-term protection W2 of available water resources Water Reduce progressively discharges of polluting substances to W3 waters Mitigate the effects of floods and droughts including W4 vulnerability to climate change. (extreme weather, sea level rise, coastal erosion)

A1 Reduce all forms of air pollution Minimise emissions of greenhouse gases to contribute to a A2 reduction and avoidance of human-induced global climate Air change Reduce waste of energy, and maximise use of renewable energy A3 sources A4 Assess, plan and manage adaptation to climate change impacts A5 Reduce the need to travel

MA1 Maximise use of the existing built environment Avoid flood risk and/or coastal erosion in selecting sites and MA2 zoning of lands for development Maintain water abstraction, run-off and recharge within Material MA3 carrying capacity (including future capacity) at environmentally Assets sustainable levels. Maintain the quality of and access to assets such as aquifers, MA4 aggregates, ports, motorways, and all physical and social infrastructures.

Cultural Promote the protection and conservation of the cultural, CH1 Heritage including architectural and archaeological, heritage

Conserve and enhance valued natural and historic landscapes Landscape L1 and their character and features within them Table 1.5: Strategic Environmental Objectives (SEOs)

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 12 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Introduction and Background

1.10 Alternative Plan Scenarios The SEA Directive requires the consideration of SEA Alternatives. This consideration is outlined in Chapter 7 of the Environmental Report.

Particular reference is drawn to the Core Strategy of the Meath County Development Plan which must be complied with. The Core Strategy allocates stated numbers of residential units to be developed within each settlement in the county over its lifespan for the years 2013 – 2019 based on their designation within the County Settlement Hierarchy.

• Allocation of zoned land in each settlement in accordance with Table 2.4 of the County Development Plan; • Removal from Phase I of development, all residentially zoned sites that are located in Flood Zone A or B; • Maintaining zoning in Phase I of all sites subject to an extant planning permission; • The setting of residential density standards in the County Development Plan for the various levels of the Settlement Hierarchy.

These policies of the underlying Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019 set the context for the development of the county and limit the range of alternatives that are available for consideration and their method of selection.

In addition to the proposed zoning selected in Variation No. 2 (denoted as Alternative A), the following alternatives were considered:

• Alternative A – Balanced Criteria • Alternative B – Higher Density of Residential Development in each Settlement • Alternative C – Maintenance of Existing Density levels within Settlements • Alternative D – Stronger weighting on Town Centre Sites

The review of zoned lands carried out by Meath County Council and contained within Variation No. 2 corresponds to Alternative A as set out above. This review assessed the suitability of the particular sites in each settlement to deliver the scale of development required in the Core Strategy, on the basis of criteria that closely reflect the Strategic Environmental Objectives. For this reason, it is considered that the assessment has broadly delivered an appropriate balance and selection of sites, taking into account the constraints imposed in the development plan such as flood risk and the requirement to maintain zoning on sites with extant planning permissions.

The density and location of future residential development requires a balance between the desire to increase the number of people close to local services, the desire to regenerate and consolidate development in town centres and the need to protect the architectural, archaeological and natural environments of settlements in the county. The option chosen in Variation No. 2 represents an appropriate balance between the competing environmental objectives.

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 13 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Introduction and Background

1.11 Strategic Environmental Assessment of Variation No. 2 The SEA aims to highlight the potential conflicts, if they are present, between the stated policies and objectives contained in Variation No. 2 with the Strategic Environmental Objectives. Furthermore, the assessment examines the potential impact arising from the implementation of the policies and objectives on sensitive environmental receptors.

The process of SEA and plan-making formulation is an iterative one and environmental considerations have informed all stages of plan preparation carried out in order for the potential for significant adverse effects arising from implementation of Variation No. 2 to be minimised. Where the environmental assessment identifies significant adverse effects, consideration is given in the first instance to preventing such impacts. Where prevention is not possible, the plan seeks to lessen or offset those effects through mitigation measures.

In some instances there is little or no relationship between the various Policies/Objectives and the respective environmental receptor. Where this occurs no further discussion is deemed necessary. This has been determined through an initial screening of the draft variation policies and objectives which ascertains if policies are likely to have a positive, negative or neutral impact on the environment. This screening process allows the assessment to focus more efficiently on the pertinent issues.

The preliminary phase of this assessment identifies the quality of the potential impact on the environment as a result of the policies and objectives of Variation No. 2. Table 8.1 of the Environmental Report highlights where the impact may be either potentially positive (green); neutral (white); potentially negative (yellow); or uncertain (blue). Where a neutral impact is identified no further discussion is deemed necessary. However, it is acknowledged that localised issues may arise depending on site specific issues and the type of development proposed. The assessment contained herein deals with strategic issues alone, for potential localised impacts the Mitigation section contained in Chapter 9 of the Environmental Report should be consulted.

It has been determined that there are a number of policies/objectives where the impact is potentially negative. The significant issues are discussed in the following sections. A comprehensive and detailed set of mitigation measures are provided in Chapter 9 which effectively reduces or eliminates identified negative impacts. Similarly, monitoring the implementation of the plan, as discussed in Chapter 10 of the Environmental Report, will ensure that if any negative impact becomes a reality it will be identified at an early stage and appropriate actions taken by the relevant authority/agency to remedy the situation.

In overall terms, Variation No. 2, in its current form will have a positive effect on the environment.

1.12 Mitigation Measures While every effort will be taken to ensure that the impact of the plan on the environment is neutral to positive, certain unavoidable negative impacts may occur as a result of the implementation of the plan. The Environmental Report details mitigation measures to reduce or eliminate identifiable adverse impacts.

Similarly, monitoring of the varied plan, in accordance with the Planning and Development Act, 2000 (as amended) will incorporate proposals to monitor various environmental receptors. A schedule of monitoring and reporting is proposed in order to ensure that any

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 14 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Introduction and Background unforeseen negative impact is identified at the earliest opportunity and subsequently appropriate mitigation measures are put in place to eliminate or at a minimum limit the level of impact to an acceptable degree. Environmental Indicators, as prescribed in the EPA publication “Environment in Focus 2006 – Environmental Indicators for Ireland” are provided where relevant to this plan and presented as a yardstick against which the plans success can be monitored.

In general terms, all proposals for development will be required to have due regard to the environmental considerations outlined in Variation No. 2 and the underlying Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019. Proposals for development which are deemed contrary to the objectives and policies contained within the varied plan will not normally be permitted, and if permitted, not without the appropriate site and development specific mitigation measures. In addition, certain individual applications for developments within the County may be subject to individual Environmental Impact Assessments and Appropriate Assessments.

Given the environmental, landscape and cultural heritage sensitivities, a number of uncertain and potential negative impacts were identified as a result of interactions between Variation No. 2 policies / objectives and the Strategic Environmental Objectives. In most instances potential uncertainties or negative impacts could be mitigated either against the protective policies already contained within the variation or within the County Development Plan.

However, in some instances new policies or objectives were required to be drafted or amendments proposed to others. The findings and measures proposed for mitigation of potential environmental impacts of Variation No. 2 are outlined in Table 9.1 of the Environmental Report.

The new and amended policies and objectives as outlined in Table 9.1 of the Environmental Report have been fully incorporated within Variation No. 2.

1.13 Monitoring of the varied Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019 Monitoring of the effects of Variation No. 2 and its implications on the environment is paramount to ensure that the county’s environment is not adversely affected through the implementation of Variation No. 2.

It is proposed to base monitoring on a series of indicators which measure changes in the environment, especially changes which are critical in terms of environmental quality, for example water or air pollution levels.

Given that the subject plan involves a variation (Variation No.2) to the Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019, monitoring of the Variation and any implications on the environment is addressed under the monitoring programme as established for the County Development Plan.

The indicators aim to simplify complex interrelationships and provide information about environmental issues which can be easily understood.

It is now proposed to amend this table to provide additional environmental indicators to take account of the specific issues pertaining to Variation No. 2. The amended table is provided at Table 10.1 of the Environmental Report.

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 15 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Introduction and Background

2.0 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

Pursuant to Section 13 of the Planning and Development Acts 2000 - 2013, Meath County Council gave notice that it intended to amend the Meath County Development Plan 2013- 2019, by way of Variation No. 2.

Pursuant to Article 13B of the Planning and Development (SEA) Regulations 2004 - 2011 and Articles 6(3) and 6(4) of the Habitats Directive, Meath County Council has carried out a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Appropriate Assessment (AA) of Variation No. 2.

Consequently, this SEA Environmental Report has been prepared in tandem with Variation No. 2 of the Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019. In addition, the Habitats Directive Assessment has been carried out in parallel with the Variation and SEA and is presented as a separate document.

2.1 Introduction and Terms of Reference The EU Directive on Strategic Environmental Assessment or SEA (Directive 2001/42/EC) came into force in July 2001. The SEA Directive was subsequently transposed into Irish law through S.I. No. 435 of 2004 (European Communities (Environmental Assessment of Certain Plans and Programmes) Regulations 2004 and S.I. No. 436 of 2004 (Planning and Development (Strategic Environmental Assessment) Regulations 2004 as amended by S.I. No. 200 of 2011 (European Communities (Environmental Assessment of Certain Plans and Programmes) (Amendment) Regulations 2011) and S.I. No. 201 of 2011 (Planning and Development (Strategic Environmental Assessment) (Amendment) Regulations 2011) respectively.

Under this legislation member States of the EU are obliged to assess the likely significant environmental effects of plans and programmes prior to their adoption thus providing for the assessment of strategic environmental considerations at an early stage of the decision making process.

Article 1 of the SEA Directive states: “The objective of this directive is to provide for a high level of protection of the environment and to contribute to the integration of environmental considerations into the preparation and adoption of plans and programmes with a view to promoting sustainable development, by ensuring that, in accordance with this directive, an environmental assessment is carried out of certain plans and programmes which are likely to have significant effects on the environment.”

The Directive came into effect in an Irish context in July 2004. Since then SEA must be prepared for plans and programmes, including:

§ Regional Planning Guidelines; § City and County Development Plans; § Development Plans made by Town Councils, where the population of the area is 10,000 or more; or § Local Area Plans for towns with a population of 5,000 or more.

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 16 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Introduction and Background

2.2 SEA Screening The Regulations state that SEA is mandatory for certain plans while screening for SEA is required for other plans that fall below the specified thresholds. Where plans or programmes fall below or outside of the specified thresholds, a screening report is required to be carried out to determine whether the making and implementation of a particular plan will or will not, lead to significant environmental consequences for the plan area.

Article 13K of Planning and Development Regulations 2001, (as amended) states “Where a planning authority proposes to make a variation of a development plan under section 13 of the Act, it shall, before giving notice under section 13(2) of the Act, consider whether or not the proposed variation would be likely to have significant effects on the environment, taking into account of relevant criteria set out in Schedule 2A”. The criterion against which this is required to be measured and screened is set out in Schedule 2A of the Planning and Development (Strategic Environmental Assessment) (Amendment) Regulations 2011.

Under the terms of the provisions of Article 13K of the Regulations, the planning authority shall determine whether or not implementation of the proposed variation would be likely to have significant effects on the environment, taking account of relevant criteria set out in Schedule 2A of the Regulations and any submission or observation received from the environmental authority.

At the initial phase of the preparation of the variation a screening process was undertaken. Taking into account the criteria set out in Schedule 2A of the SEA Regulations, the Council screened the Proposed Variation in order to evaluate the requirement to undertake SEA. The Council determined that the implementation of the Proposed Variation would have the potential to give rise to effects on the environment - if unmitigated - and decided to apply the precautionary principle and to undertake SEA of the Proposed Variation.

2.3 Variation No. 2 of the Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019 Meath County Council proposed to vary the Meath County Development Plan 2013 – 2019 (proposed Variation No. 2) by:

1. introducing development objectives (including land use zoning objectives) into the Meath County Development Plan 2013 – 2019 for 29 existing urban centres which presently have Local Area Plans This is the beginning of a process which will reduce the number of Local Area Plans which presently exist in County Meath to 6 no.2;

2. introducing land use zoning objectives and an order of priority into the Meath County Development Plan 2013 – 2019 for the release of residential and employment lands for the centres which will retain their Local Area Plans namely Ashbourne, Drogheda (Southern) Environs, Dunboyne / Clonee / Pace, Dunshaughlin and Ratoath;

3. ensuring that only the quantum of land required to meet the household projections as set out in Table 2.4 for each centre is identified for release during the lifetime of

2 It is the intention of Meath County Council to commence the revocation process of the 29 Local Area Plans as soon as this variation to the Meath County Development Plan has been made.

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 17 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Introduction and Background

the Meath County Development Plan 2013–2019. This will ensure consistency with the Core Strategy of the Meath County Development Plan 2013–2019;

4. reviewing the appropriateness of the nature, location and quantum of industrial and employment generating land use within each centre as part of this process, and;

5. applying the land use zoning objectives contained in the Core Strategy of the Meath County Development Plan 2013 – 2019 to the land use zoning objectives maps which are being incorporated into the Meath County Development Plan 2013 – 2019.

Variation No. 2 collectively forms Volume V of the Meath County Development Plan 2013 – 2019 and is entitled “Written Statement & Development Objectives for Urban Centres”. It consists of land use zoning objectives for the centres where Local Area Plans are being retained and incorporates detailed objectives including land use zoning objectives into the County Development Plan for the centres where Local Area Plans are not being retained.

2.4 Purpose of Variation No. 2 The Core Strategy of the Meath County Development Plan requires the realisation of a number of stated objectives within specified periods, mainly within one year of adoption of the County Development Plan. The stated objectives seek to ensure that the development frameworks and land use zoning objectives of individual centres adhere to the settlement strategy and Core Strategy, particularly Table 2.4, of this Development Plan. This requires a review of the existing land use zoning objectives to ensure compliance with the new land use zoning objectives contained in the County Development Plan and to ensure that the quantum of lands identified for residential development adheres to the household allocation for each centre. The purpose of Variation No. 2 is to give effect to a number of the objectives contained in the Core Strategy of the Meath County Development Plan 2013 – 2019 as varied.

CS OBJ 2 To publish a variation to the Meath County Development Plan 2013 – 2019 within one year of the adoption of the Development Plan to introduce land use zoning objectives and an order of priority for the release of lands for Ashbourne, Drogheda Environs, Dunboyne/Clonee/Pace, Dunshaughlin and Ratoath. Following the making of this variation, the Planning Authority shall publish amendments to the Local Area Plans of Ashbourne, Drogheda Environs, Dunboyne/Clonee/Pace, Dunshaughlin and Ratoath to ensure that they are consistent with the Development Plan, as varied, and particularly the settlement strategy, core strategy and household allocations outlined in Table 2.4.

CS OBJ 3 To publish a variation to the Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019 within one year of the adoption of the Development Plan to contain development and zoning objectives for the following centres: Athboy, Gibbstown, Ballivor, Carlanstown, Carnaross, Clonard, Crossakiel, Donore, Drumconrath, Duleek, Enfield, Gormonston, Julianstown, Kentstown, Kilbride, Kilcock Environs, Kildalkey, Kilmainhamwood, Kilmessan, Longwood, Maynooth Environs, Moynalty, Nobber, Oldcastle, Rathcairn, Rathmolyon, Slane, Stamullen and Summerhill. These objectives shall give effect to and be consistent with the core strategy, policies and objectives of the Development Plan. Following the making of this variation, the Planning Authority shall

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 18 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Introduction and Background

commence the revocation process of the Local Area Plans for which detailed development and zoning objectives have been incorporated into the County Development Plan.

CS OBJ 5 To ensure that the review of Town Plans and Local Area Plans achieve consistency with the core strategy of the Meath County Development Plan 2013–2019 by only identifying for release during the lifetime of the Meath County Development Plan 2013–2019 the quantity of land required to meet household projections as set out in Table 2.4.

There is also an objective contained in the Economic Strategy which must be realised in tandem with the above.

ED OBJ 2 To incorporate a review of the appropriateness of the nature, location and quantum of industrial and employment generating land use in individual Development Plans and Local Area Plans and in the preparation of development and zoning objectives for towns and villages that are to be included in the County Development Plan. This review shall

…………(i) occur in tandem with the assessment of residentially zoned lands required pursuant to the Core Strategy (CS OBJ 2 & 3 refer);……………… ……… …… (ii) apply the land use zoning objectives contained in the Core Strategy of this County Development Plan to the individual Town Development Plan, Local Area Plan or individual objective maps to be included in the County Development Plan as relating to industrial and employment generating uses (land use zoning objectives E1, E2 and E3 refer from the Core Strategy); …………. …… …… ...... (iii) critically assess the nature, quantum and location of lands identified for industrial and employment generating use in Dunboyne/Clonee/ Pace, Kells and Gormonston/Stamullen. In the case of Dunboyne/ Clonee/Pace, the integrated land use and transportation study identified as a high level development objective in Section 4.1.4 will be required to be completed in advance of this exercise being carried out. As part of this integrated land use and transportation study, Meath County Council will consult and agree the future location and appropriate scale of development, particularly in the knowledge intensive, science based and people intensive employment sectors with statutory stakeholders including the NTA, NRA and Iarnród Éireann; ……………………… … ………… ………. ………. ……….. … … .. (iv) review of the zoning objectives for Maynooth Environs and Kilbride in the preparation of zoning maps for the centres for inclusion in the County Development Plan. ………………… …… The outcome of this review may necessitate variations to individual development plans and amendments to local area plans arising therefrom. It is noted that such variations or amendments may be subject to an Appropriate Assessment of the likely significant effects on Natura 2000 sites due to the proximity of urban centres to Natura 2000 sites.

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 19 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Introduction and Background

2.5 Description of Variation No. 2 2.5.1 Introduction The Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019 was adopted on 17th December 2012 and came into effect 22nd of January 2013. The County Development Plan includes for the first time a Core Strategy (Chapter 2). The Core Strategy outlines the preferred development strategy for the county together with future population and housing growth targets over the plan period. It also provides for a significant reduction in the number of Local Area Plans which will be retained in Co. Meath and to incorporate written statements outlining development objectives and land use zoning objectives for 29 settlements which presently have Local Area Plans into the County Development Plan by way of subsequent variation (refer Figure 1).

2.5.2 Reduction in the number of Local Area Plans The Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010 enables a planning authority to incorporate existing Local Area Plans (for towns with a population less than 5,000) within the framework of the County Development Plan. Towns with a population above 5,000 must have a Local Area Plan in accordance with the requirements of Section 19 (1)(b) of the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2013.

• Ashbourne; • Drogheda (Southern) Environs; • Dunboyne / Clonee / Pace; • Dunshaughlin; • Ratoath; and • Bettystown-Laytown-Mornington East-Donacarney-Mornington.

This decision was primarily based on their respective population recorded in the 2011 Census of Population. It is also proposed to retain a Local Area Plan for Dunshaughlin although not exceeding the requisite population threshold on the basis that this centre requires the preparation of a Local Transport Plan.3 Local Area Plans are presently in place for 5 of these centres. A new draft Local Area Plan for Bettystown-Laytown-Mornington East-Donacarney-Mornington is currently at material alterations stage.

2.5.3 Incorporation of Development Objectives into the Development Plan For the remaining 29 centres, a written statement inclusive of development objectives and land use zoning objectives are now being incorporated into the County Development Plan by

3 The NTA’s draft Transport Strategy sets out the requirement to include in the Development Plan an objective to undertake local transport plans for ‘Designated Towns’, as well as more detailed local transport plans for ‘Designated Districts’ (see Measure LU3 of the NTA’s draft Transport Strategy). Dunshaughlin is a designated district in the draft Transport Strategy.

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 20 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Introduction and Background way of Variation No 2. This has required the review of the more extensive written statements, development and land use zoning objectives which presently apply to these centres as contained within their respective Local Area Plans. The resultant condensed written statements, policy framework and land use zoning objectives for these centres are consistent with the objectives of the County Development Plan including the Core Strategy. These written statements will replace the Local Area Plans for these centres, each of which will be subsequently revoked pursuant to a separate statutory process.

Variation No. 2 contains written statements for the following 29 development centres within their respective Electoral Areas.

Dunshaughlin Electoral Area 1. Kilbride 3. Kilmessan 4. Maynooth Environs 2. Kilcock Environs

Kells Electoral Area 5. Athboy 9. Carlanstown 12. Carnaross 6. Crossakiel 10. Drumconrath 13. Kilmainhamwood 7. Moynalty 11. Nobber 14. Oldcastle 8. Rathcairn

Navan Electoral Area 15. Baile Ghib (Gibbstown) 16. Kentstown

Slane Electoral Area 17. Donore 19. Duleek 21. Gormonston 18. Julianstown 20. Slane 22. Stamullen

Trim Electoral Area 23. Ballivor 26. Clonard 28. Enfield 24. Kildalkey 27. Summerhill 29. Longwood 25. Rathmolyon

Each written statement consists of an outline of the development strategy for each centre, followed by a policy framework consisting of policies and objectives. A land use zoning objectives map for each centre has also been produced and other development objectives are also included, where possible, on these maps. These land use zoning maps will replace the land use zoning objective maps contained in the respective Local Area Plan for each urban centre.

2.5.4 Household Allocation Table 2.4 which is contained in the Core Strategy of the County Development Plan sets out for each town and village in the County the following:

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 21 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Introduction and Background

Table 2.4 demonstrates that there was an excess of residentially zoned land contained in most of the towns and villages in Meath for which Local Area Plans were prepared. The County Development Plan, as varied, presents a strategy to deal with the excess of residentially zoned land as it applies to such urban centres. In order to address the level of over provision of zoned residential lands, phasing of land in the form of an Order of Priority is proposed as part of Variation No. 2 and is detailed in the accompanying written statements & land use zoning objectives maps which are being incorporated into the Development Plan.

2.5.5 Review of Local Area Plans There is a statutory obligation on Meath County Council to review any Local Area Plans being retained which are considered no longer consistent with the Core Strategy of the County Development Plan. The Core Strategy also requires the review of remaining Local Area Plans to ensure that their land use strategy is consistent with the County Development Plan.

The existing Local Area Plans for Ashbourne, Drogheda (Southern Environs), Dunboyne / Clonee / Pace, Dunshaughlin and Ratoath have therefore been reviewed as part of Variation No. 2 to ensure that they adhere to the provisions of the new County Development Plan, including demonstrating consistency with the Core Strategy & Economic Strategy. Meath County Council introduced land use zoning objectives for these centres into the County Development Plan as part of Variation No. 2 (CS OBJ 2 refers). As part of the variation, the planning authority has also introduced an Order of Priority to lands identified for residential and employment generating land uses. Amendments to the text of the Local Area Plans will be published by way of a separate statutory process.

2.5.6 Phasing of Land Section 2.3.4 of Volume I provides Guidelines for the Review of Local Area Plans/Development Plans. It indicates that a number of options are available when addressing excess residential zoning which have been identified in order to ensure consistency with the Development Plan and its Core Strategy. It is clear that different options are available depending on whether an existing plan is being varied or amended or a new plan being prepared:

3. Discontinuing the Land Use Zoning Objective: deleting the zoning objective and related lands from the written statement and maps of the plan.

The appropriateness of each of the 3 options has been considered and has taken into account the position of the town/ village in the settlement hierarchy which will influence the

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 22 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Introduction and Background likely future demand for residential zoned land, the recommendations of the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment and Management Plan and the adequacy of existing facilities in the centre.

As it is proposed to introduce demand management measures to deal with this excess of residential land use zoning by way of variation rather than through the preparation of a new development plan or new Local Area Plan, Meath County Council cannot discontinue the land use zoning objective unless the subject lands have been identified as being at risk of flooding. Furthermore, such is the quantum of lands identified for various land use zoning objectives within most urban centres, the consideration of alternative zoning objectives could not generally be justified. Therefore, in order to address the level of over provision of residentially zoned lands, the introduction of phasing or an Order of Priority is set out in the variation and outlined on the land use zoning objectives maps. The determination of which lands would be prioritised for residential land use to provide for the required household allocation also had regard to guidance provided in Section 2.3.4 of Volume I of the County Development Plan.

It should be noted that the inclusion of lands in Phase II which is indicated as being required beyond the life of the present County Development Plan i.e. post 2019, will not infer a prior commitment on the part of Meath County Council regarding their future zoning for residential or employment purposes during the review of the present plan and preparation of a new County Development Plan expected to occur during the 2017 – 2019 period. Any subsequent decision will be considered within the framework of national and regional population targets applicable at that time, the Core Strategy and the proper planning and sustainable development of County Meath.

To ensure that the future development of each town and village is facilitated in accordance with the provisions of the Core Strategy, appropriate monitoring will be conducted as required pursuant to CS OBJ 9 which seeks

To include in the progress report to be prepared two years after the adoption the County Development Plan, details of the units permitted to date in comparison with the household allocations detailed in Table 2.4.

2.5.7 Summary The land use zoning objectives maps have achieved consistency with the Core Strategy set out in Volume I of the County Development Plan by only identifying the quantity of land required to meet household projections as set out in Table 2.4 for release during the lifetime of the Meath County Development Plan 2013–2019 (CS OBJ 6 refers). It has also confirmed the continued appropriateness of the nature, location and quantum of industrial and employment generating land use (ED OBJ 2 refers). Variation No. 2 has thus realised a number of objectives contained in the Meath County Development Plan 2013 – 2019.

2.6 Format of Written Statements / Policy Frameworks As part of the preparation of the written statements, policy framework and land use zoning objectives for the 29 centres incorporated into the County Development Plan under Variation No. 2, each of the existing Local Area Plans were reviewed in detail. This was required to ensure that the new written statement, policy framework and land use zoning objectives for each of the 29 centres is consistent with the policy framework provided in the County Development Plan 2013 – 2019.

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 23 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Introduction and Background

It is noteworthy that there is significant variation in the format and length of the written statements of the existing 29 Local Area Plans that are to be replaced. There is unnecessary narrative and policies / objectives contained within each of the Local Area Plans which replicates policies and objectives contained in Volume I of the County Development Plan or which are no longer consistent with the policy framework contained therein.

The format of the written statements is generally consistent for each urban centre and consists of the following sections:

• Goal • Context • Water & Wastewater Services • Land Use • Residential Development • Commercial, Economic & Retail Uses • Community Facilities & Open Spaces • Urban Design • Heritage • Movement & Access • Policies & Objectives

Additional urban design guidance for a number of urban centres is contained separately and forms an appendix to the respective written statement.

Each written statement and detailed policy framework / land use zoning objectives seeks to achieve the following:

1. To implement the land use zoning objectives as contained in their respective land use zoning strategy which seeks to release only the quantum of residential land use required to provide for the housing allocation contained in the Core Strategy and in particular Table 2.4;

2. To create high quality urban environments in the urban settlement through the requirement and provision of high quality design in buildings, structures, open spaces and the public realm that improves the quality of life for residents, visitors and other users of the town or village and by implementing the Development Management Guidelines and Standards provided in Chapter 11 of Volume I and other relevant polices and objectives set out in the County Development Plan and this Variation.;

3. To address the issue of vacancy in the towns and villages by encouraging new uses into vacant properties in preference to new developments;

4. To encourage in-fill development, reuse of brownfield sites and reuse of derelict sites on appropriate sites in the towns and villages where the proposal respects the existing scale and character of the area, and;

5. To encourage the use or redevelopment of above ground floor stories of buildings for appropriate uses in town and village centres.

To realise the role of each individual town or village, public and private investment will be required in both physical and social infrastructure, including water services, roads,

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 24 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Introduction and Background connectivity, telecommunications, energy, development lands, business support infrastructure and social, recreational, community and educational use. It will also be essential to improve the physical attractiveness of the Small Towns in particular as places in which to invest in, to live and work. This will require attention to the built environment particularly the town centres, in terms of caring for, restoring and renewing and revitalising the physical fabric of the towns and villages.

2.7 Evaluation of Residentially Zoned Lands An evidence based approach was applied to determine the Order of Priority primarily for lands with a residential land use zoning objective. This included an evaluation by the Planning Authority of the remaining available sites with a land use zoning objective which enable residential development proposals to be advanced i.e. residential, mixed use and town centre / commercial land use zoning objectives. Section 2.3.4 of the County Development Plan outlined the factors to be considered in this evaluation.

The evaluation firstly excluded those areas within the identified flood risk mapping as determined by the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment & Management Plan. Such was the extent of lands already zoned for residential land use, it was not considered necessary to apply the plan making Justification Test arising from the findings of the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment. All of the lands brought forward in the evaluation therefore excluded the extent of sites included in these maps corresponding with Flood Zone A (1 in 100 year flood event) and Flood Zone B (1 in 1,000 year flood event) and are located in Flood Zone C.

Secondly, the evaluation also excluded sites less than or approximating 0.5 hectares in extent as it was not considered necessary to include sites which could bring forward less than 10 - 15 no. units in the same manner as it was not considered necessary to include small scale brownfield sites in the town or village centre / edge of town or village centre. It was not considered that a Core Strategy needs to be prescriptive to this minute level of detail.

Finally, the evaluation also excluded all sites with the benefit of an extant permission for multiple residential developments in accordance with Core Strategy objective CS OBJ 6.

For the smaller development centres corresponding with Villages in the Settlement Hierarchy, it was considered that the application of the sequential approach from the defined village centre was sufficient to identify the most suitable sites for release as part of Phase I Residential which corresponds with the life of this Development Plan. For the larger development centres which correspond with Small Towns and Moderate Sustainable Growth Towns, a more detailed assessment was required. The following criteria were generally used to determine the ranking of specific sites identified for residential development or a mix of development which includes residential in these larger centres. Collectively, these criteria are considered to constitute the proper planning and sustainable development of the centre.

• Proximity to the Town Centre – maximise the utility of existing and proposed future infrastructure including public transport options; • Regeneration / Renewal of residential areas or other brownfield “Opportunity Sites” (which have been identified separately); • Environmental Constraints – proximity to and potential impact on the qualifying interests of any adjoining Natura 2000 sites; • Physical Suitability – topography of the land;

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• Availability of Public Transport - to maximise public transport investment, it is important that land use planning underpins its efficiency by sustainable transport patterns. This includes promoting higher densities within 500 metres walking distance of a bus stop and proximity to a public transport corridor; • Availability of community and social infrastructure facilities with particular regard to the proximity to national and secondary school facilities; • The need to provide new roads infrastructure to facilitate development – Measure Road 1 of the draft NTA 2030 Vision must be considered in addition to the likelihood of residential development being able to absorb the additional costs involved. • Consideration as to whether a site could be considered an infill opportunity as opposed to extending the urban footprint further from the town centre. Leapfrogging beyond other available sites will not be considered favourably.

The continual monitoring of available water services capacity in each centre will be undertaken as this may impact on the ability of the Planning Authority to achieve the projected residential targets contained in the Development Plan. This may also affect the realization of other components of individual development strategies as they relate to retail and commercial uses.

The Planning Authority identified, following the evaluation exercise, the extent of lands to be included in Phase I to coincide with Meath County Development Plan 2013 – 2019. These are identified in the respective land use zoning objective maps with all other lands identified as Phase II and not intended for release prior to 2019. The written statement for each centre provides detail on the rationale which determined which lands would be identified for release during the period of the County Development Plan 2013 – 2019. For the development centres which will retain their Local Area Plans but their land use zoning objectives will now be contained in the County Development Plan after the making of this variation, a separate explanatory document and series of maps for each accompanies the respective land use zoning objectives map.

2.8 Evaluation of Employment Lands Section 4.2 of the Meath County Development Plan (Quantum of Available Zoned Employment Generating Land) highlights a considerable variation in the extent of lands identified for employment generating uses in the upper tiers of the County Settlement Hierarchy which requires attention. The County Development Plan indicated that it is now opportune to review the continued appropriateness of employment generating zonings across the county. The nature, location and quantum of lands identified for employment generating uses for each settlement and their ability to be serviced must reflect and be consistent with their role in the Economic and Settlement hierarchies.

The Planning Authority has determined the extent of lands considered appropriate to be released for development during the period of the County Development Plan in each settlement having regard to

• the positioning of the centre in the settlement and economic hierarchy of Co. Meath; • whether or not development has commenced or being permitted within a particular landholding; • application of the sequential approach to development from the core outwards in a logical manner and seeking to promote a compact urban form;

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• the availability of the necessary physical infrastructure; • the extent of such lands identified in comparable centres within the settlement and economic hierarchy of Co. Meath; • the provision of a safe access; • the recommendations of the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment and the Flood Risk Management Guidelines, and; • potential environmental impacts.

The written statement for each centre provides detail on the rationale which determined which lands would be identified for release during the period of the County Development Plan 2013 – 2019. It should be noted that there is flexibility included in the Strategic Policy framework which may allow lands identified in Phase II or White Lands to be considered for development within this period.

2.9 Legislative and Guidelines Context In 2001 the European Community passed the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Directive 2001/42/EC on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment. This piece of legislation established the necessity for SEA to be carried out on plans and programmes, including those of land use planning.

Article 1 of the SEA Directive states:

The objective of this directive is to provide for a high level of protection of the environment and to contribute to the integration of environmental considerations into the preparation and adoption of plans and programmes with a view to promoting sustainable development, by ensuring that, in accordance with this Directive, an environmental assessment is carried out of certain plans and programmes which are likely to have significant effects on the environment.

The EU Directive on Strategic Environmental Assessment or SEA (Directive 2001/42/EC) came into force in July 2001. The SEA Directive was subsequently transposed into Irish law through S.I. No. 435 of 2004 (European Communities (Environmental Assessment of Certain Plans and Programmes) Regulations 2004 and S.I. No. 436 of 2004 (Planning and Development (Strategic Environmental Assessment) Regulations 2004 as amended by S.I. No. 200 of 2011 (European Communities (Environmental Assessment of Certain Plans and Programmes) (Amendment) Regulations 2011) and S.I. No. 201 of 2011 (Planning and Development (Strategic Environmental Assessment) (Amendment) Regulations 2011) respectively.

In terms of guidance relating to this legislation the EPA published “Development of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Methodologies for Plans and Programmes in Ireland – Synthesis report” in 2003. Further to this in 2004, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government published “Implementation of SEA Directive 92001/42/EC): Assessment of the Effects of Certain Plans and Programmes on the Environment –Guidelines for Local Authorities and Planning Authorities” and the Environmental Protection Agency “EPA Pack” (updated in 2013) have guided this review process.

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2.10 SEA Process The process of carrying out the Strategic Environmental Assessment of Variation No.2 of the Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019 is documented throughout this Environmental Report. The methodology employed is discussed in Chapter 3. The structure of this Environmental Report, which is the result of the Strategic Environmental Assessment, is in accordance with Article 1 of the Directive which provides a broad basis for the content of the environmental report. This report therefore identifies, describes and evaluates the likely significant effects on the environment of implementing the Variation’s objectives and policies.

2.11 Integration of the County Development Plan, SEA and Habitats Directive Assessment The legislation and guidelines governing the SEA process state that the processes of preparing a Development Plan Variation, SEA and Appropriate Assessment (AA) should be integrated and prepared in an iterative manner. The Environmental Report outlines how the SEA process was carried out in tandem with the preparation of Variation No. 2 and its accompanying Natura Impact Report. The SEA process ensured that the variation was informed by environmental considerations from the outset. The SEA Team were fully involved in the analysis of policies and objectives and were in a position to make suggestions throughout the process of plan preparation to ensure that environmental considerations and environmental effects were considered in the formulation of strategic goals and development objectives.

2.12 Implications of SEA for Variation No. 2 This Environmental Report, which identifies the likely significant effects on the environment of implementing Variation No. 2 of the Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019 should be read in conjunction with Variation No. 2 and the Natura Impact Report. The findings of the Environmental Report and Natura Impact Report have been taken into account in the adoption of Variation No. 2.

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3.0 METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction Two amending SEA Regulations were signed into Irish law on 3rd May 2011, amending the original SEA Regulations: European Communities (Environmental Assessment of Certain Plans and Programmes) (Amendment) Regulations 2011, (S.I. No. 200 of 2011), amending the European Communities (Environmental Assessment of Certain Plans and Programmes) Regulations 2004 (S.I. No. 435 of 2004), and Planning and Development (Strategic Environmental Assessment) (Amendment) Regulations 2011, (S.I. No. 201 of 2011), amending the Planning and Development (Strategic Environmental Assessment) Regulations 2004 (S.I. No. 436 of 2004).

The methodology used to carry out the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the Variation No. 2 reflects the requirements of the SEA Directive (2001/42/EC) and SEA Regulations (S.I. 435 & 436 of 2004 and as amended by S.I. 200 & 201 of 2011) and other SEA guidance documentation. The requirements of the recent European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 477 of 2011), have also been taken into account in implementing the Plan. These Regulations consolidate the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1997 to 2005 and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) (Control of Recreational Activities) Regulations 2010, as well as addressing transposition failures identified in the CJEU judgements.

Guidance documentation utilised in the preparation of this SEA includes “Implementation of SEA Directive (2001/42/EC): Assessment of the Effects of Certain Plans and Programmes on the Environment – Guidelines for Regional Authorities and Planning Authorities” published by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and “Development of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Methodologies for Plans and Programmes in Ireland – Synthesis Report”, published by the EPA in 2003. In addition the EPA has prepared an ‘SEA Pack’ (updated in 2013) as guidance.

This section of the report outlines the key stages (See Table 3.1) in the development of the assessment in accordance with the Directive and the aforementioned regulations.

Stage Description Screening The screening process is the first stage of the Strategic Environmental Assessment. Screening assesses the need to

undertake a Strategic Environmental Assessment. Screening was undertaken for Variation No. 2 and determined that SEA was required. Scoping The Scoping of Variation No. 2 was carried out in accordance with Article 5 (4) of the SEA Directive (2001/42/EC).

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Stage Description issues at an early stage, it ensures that the issues are firmly to the forefront when considering each of the policies and objectives of the variation and reduces the possibility of relevant issues not being addressed. Consultation with the Submissions were received from the EPA the Department of Arts, Environmental Heritage and the Gaeltacht. Authorities Scoping Report Submissions received from Environmental Authorities were reviewed and incorporated into the process where warranted. Preparation of ER & • A multi-disciplinary team was established to create policy Variation No. 2 consistent documents and to examine the effects on the environment of implementing the objectives and policies.

• Objectives created in Variation No 2 were assessed in Draft ER against the ER of the County Development Plan. • Feedback from on-going preparation process & ER • Mitigation measures discussed and chosen. • Monitoring incorporated into existing methods. Monitoring the Monitoring significant environmental effects over the lifetime of County Development the Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019 Plan Table 3.1: Key Stages of SEA

3.2 Screening Screening assesses the need to undertake a Strategic Environmental Assessment. Under the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2013 Strategic Environmental Assessment is not mandatory for Variation No. 2 of the Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019; however following the Screening process it was determined that SEA was required.

3.3 Scoping The Scoping of Variation No. 2 of the Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019 was carried out in accordance with Article 5 (4) of the SEA Directive (2001/42/EC).

The principal purpose of the Scoping stage is to decide upon the range of issues and level of detail to be included in the Environmental Report. An overview of the relevant environmental issues requiring further analysis are given and consideration in the Environmental Report. By highlighting some of the significant issues at an early stage, it ensures that the issues are firmly to the forefront when considering each of the policies and objectives of the Variation and reduces the possibility of relevant issues not being addressed.

The scoping aspect involved consultation with the statutory consultees, providing an opportunity to comment on the highlighted issues and the proposed methodology. Under

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 30 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Methodology the Planning and Development (Strategic Environmental Assessment) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 the list of statutory consultees includes:

• The Environmental Protection Agency. • The Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government. • The Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. • The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. • The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. • Any adjoining planning authority whose area is contiguous to the area of a planning authority which prepared the draft plan / variation, – in this case the counties include Fingal, Kildare, Offaly, Westmeath, Monaghan, Cavan and Louth along with Drogheda Borough Council.

In compliance with the SEA (Amendment) Regulations 2011 Meath County Council gave notice to the aforementioned Environmental Authorities of its intention to vary the Development Plan. A Scoping Report was prepared in order to facilitate consultation with statutory consultees and consultees were requested to review the content of the report and to comment on aspects they believe may require particular emphasis in the proposed variation and associated SEA Environmental Report and Appropriate Assessment documentation.

3.4 Statutory Consultation As noted under Section 3.3 above formal scoping consultations took place in November 2013. Submissions were received from the following statutory consultees:

• Environmental Protection Agency • Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Table 3.2 below outlines the issues raised and the response to how the issue was addressed within the preparation of the draft Environmental Report:

Consultee and Comments Response

Environmental Protection Agency Acknowledges Scoping for the proposed Variation and draws attention to EPA Checklist, Guidance on SEA and SEA Scoping Pack Noted. as well as updated SEA Regulations / Circulars. The Agency also lists the Environmental Authorities to be notified. EPA makes specific comments that the Variation should provide for: • Protection and enhancement (as appropriate) of water quality status in accordance with the River Basin Management Plan and associated Programme of Measures. Noted. • Protection of designated and undesignated biodiversity (NHA’s Natura 2000) and associated ecological corridors and linkages. Noted. • Full integration of the Planning System and Flood Risk Management Guidelines for Planning Authorities (DEHLG/OPW, 2009) and in addition, ensuring land use is appropriate to the risk of flooding identified and vulnerable

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land uses avoid development in areas of significant flood risk. The FEMFRAMS and Eastern CFRAMS should be incorporated as appropriate into the Variation. Noted. • It should be ensured that the Variation is consistent with the Objectives/Policies of the Greater Dublin Area Regional Planning Guidelines. Noted. • In particular the Planning System and Flood Risk Management Guidelines for Planning Authorities (OPW / DEHLG, 2009) should be fully integrated as appropriate. Noted. • In the context of ensuring environmentally sustainable development, consideration should be given to providing a commitment to linking the granting of permission for development to ability to provide adequate and appropriate critical service infrastructure. A commitment to prioritise brownfield and infill development over greenfield development were possible should also be considered. Noted. • The Variation should take into account key transport related Plans/Programmes, including the National Transport Authority Greater Dublin Area Draft Transport Strategy and also the Greater Dublin Area Draft Cycle Network Plan to support the increased use of public transport and ‘green transport’ alternatives. Noted.

The requirements of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 477 of 2011), should also be taken into account in implementing the Variation. Noted.

Note: It is noted that under a separate submission on the Scoping Report for a LAP for the Draft Bettystown - Laytown - Mornington East - Donacarney - Mornington Local Area Plan, the EPA noted that consideration should be given to amending a number of SEOs Strategic Environmental Objectives (of the SEA Scoping Report). It is considered that these suggested changes be incorporated into the SEA and Environmental Report for this Variation also, as follows: • Amend B1”Conserve and where possible enhance the diversity of habitats and protected species…” Agreed. • Amend B3 “Provide opportunities for sustainable public access to wildlife and wild places at appropriate locations” Agreed. • Amend B4 “Avoid damage by development to designated wildlife sites and protected species, and associated ecological corridors/linkages” Agreed. • Amend S2 “...maximise and prioritise the use of existing environment rather than developing greenfield lands” Agreed. • Amend MA2 “Avoid flood risk and/or coastal erosion in selecting sites and zoning of lands for development” Agreed. • Amend MA3 “Maintain water abstraction, run-off and recharge within carrying capacity (including future capacity) at environmentally sustainable levels” Agreed.

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Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Recommended that consideration be given to putting objective B3 (provide opportunities for sustainable public access to wildlife and wild places) in a different section, perhaps population Agreed. With regard to strategic environmental objectives (SEOs) for biodiversity, flora and fauna in an SEA, it is recommended that they cover habitats and species both within and outside of designated Sites Agreed. It is particularly important that the appropriate assessment procedure, commencing with stage 1 screening, should take place in consultation with the teams working on the draft Plan and SEA as each process can help inform the other to ensure that the Agreed. This is and objectives and policies in the draft Plan will have no significant will continue to be effects on any Natura 2000 site the approach. Table 3.2: Summary of Scoping Comments

Public Consultation regarding Variation No. 2 of the Meath County Development Plan 2013- 2019, which included the SEA and Appropriate Assessment (AA), commenced on 18th December 2013. Submissions were received until 24th January 2014.

108 written submissions or observations were received with respect to the Draft Variation and/or Environmental Report and/or Appropriate Assessment. These included submissions from, or on behalf of, the general public; businesses; community, educational, cultural and sporting groups; elected members; Health and Safety Authority; Department of Environment, Community and Local Government; Dublin and Mid-East Regional Authorities; Environmental Protection Agency; National Roads Authority; National Transport Authority; Office of Public Works; Department of Defence; Health Services Executive; and Department of Education and Skills.

One submission from the EPA raised issues in relation to the Strategic Environmental Assessment. A summary of the SEA-related submission and an outline of the response are set out in Table 3.3 below.

Consultee and Comments Response

Environmental Protection Agency Non Technical Summary Consideration, should be given to describing the likely evolution of the environment without implementation of the Variation in Noted and agreed. accordance with requirements of Schedule 2B(b) of S.I. No. 436 of 2004 Existing Environment In Chapter 5 – Environmental Baseline of the Plan Area, Noted and agreed. consideration should be given in section 5.5.2 Population Trends, to including a reference to the requirements of S.I. No. 201 of 2011 amending the SEA Regulations S.I. No. 436 of 2004, in relation to population thresholds and target populations for mandatory SEA in relation to Local Area Plans.

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Environmental Objectives The Agency acknowledges the proposed amendments to the Noted Strategic Environmental Objectives (SEOs) in Chapter 6 Strategic Environmental Objectives Targets and Indicators; in particular the strengthening of biodiversity and material assets related SEOs. Assessment of Environmental Effects While the alternatives put forward for consideration in Chapter 7 This section will be Alternatives are noted, it is not clear whether a preferred clarified alternative development scenario from the three put forward has been selected. This should be clarified in the context of ensuring that the preferred alternative is assessed against the policies/objectives of the proposed Varied Plan.

Chapter 8 Strategic Environmental Assessment of Draft Variation Noted and agreed summarises the potential effects for the various environmental criteria and is noted. Consideration should, however, be given to clarifying how the full range of environmental effects of the implementation of the Plan, as set out in the SEA Directive and Regulations, i.e. “secondary, cumulative, synergistic, short, medium and long–term, permanent and temporary, positive and negative effects” have been assessed and documented.

Table 8.1 – Assessment of Policies and Objectives which includes the Noted assessment of each settlement described in the Variation is noted. The proposed new / amended wording to policies and objectives are also noted.

It is noted for certain settlements such as Maynooth, the Mitigation and assessment has identified both policies and objectives with potential monitoring conflicts between protective policies and development policies. measures have been Recommendations to address these conflicts should be considered included in the where appropriate. It should be ensured that the Variation provides assessment to appropriate mitigation measures to minimise or avoid where minimise the possible significant effects on environmental sensitivities in the potential for Variation area in implementing the Variation. negative effects on the environment.

The potential for cumulative effects in combination with other Cumulative effects relevant Plans/ Programmes and Projects should also be taken into have been consideration. considered in the assessment Mitigation Measures It is noted that residual impacts have been identified as being likely to remain in relation to certain settlements in seeking the implementation of the Variation.

In 9.4.2 Moynalty, it is noted that it is intended to progress an Noted in ER. existing residential development which is distant from the village centre and separated by unzoned undeveloped agricultural lands. In the context of ensuring consistency with the core strategy, there

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would be merit in considering, as appropriate, re-zoning or de- zoning these lands as strategic land reserve rather than keeping as residential land use given that they will not be developed in the lifetime of the Variation and appear to be in conflict with the core strategy approach to sustainable development.

In Section 9.4.3 Pace, in relation to the consideration for a land use The ER recommends and transportation strategy to take into account the proposed ‘level that SEA shall be 2 retail centre’, the requirements of the SEA and Habitats Directives carried out as part of in particular should be taken into account. Your attention is brought the preparation of to Cork County Council’s Douglas Land Use and Transportation the LUTS for the Strategy, which may be useful in the preparation of this strategy. area.

The inclusion of Table 9.1: Summary of Mitigation Measures and Noted Residual Impacts is acknowledged. This table clearly shows the proposed new and amendments to existing policies and objectives and also highlights the settlements affected and any potential residual impacts which may arise. Consideration should be given to the including further detail on the Noted and agreed monitoring frequencies where possible for the various environmental criteria specified.

While the monitoring programme sets out the various sources of Noted and agreed data, the actual departments responsible for collecting, collating and analysing the data should be identified as soon as possible after the Variation has been adopted. Table 3.3: Summary of SEA related Submission on draft Variation No. 2

Amendments to policies and objectives in Variation No. 2, as recommended in the Manager’s Report on submissions and those alterations made by the elected members were assessed for impacts on the environment and on Natura 2000 sites.

The proposed alterations to the draft Variation were placed on public display from Friday 11th April 2014 to Thursday 8th May 2014 during which time a total of 12 further written submissions were received. Only 1 of these submissions, from the EPA, related to the Environmental Report / SEA.

3.5 Environmental Baseline Data Other than where there have been notable changes, the Environmental Baseline Data has been considered the same as was the case in the preparation of the Environmental Report for the adopted Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019.

3.6 Consideration of Alternatives The SEA Directive (Article 5) recommends that alternative development scenarios for the plan are included for assessment. Alternatives need to be ‘realistic and capable of implementation’ and should represent a range of different approaches within the statutory and operational requirements of the particular plan.

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The primary intention of Variation No. 2 is to re-establish consistency between the core strategy of the Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019 and the extent and phasing of zoning within the settlements in County Meath. This will ensure that each settlement within the county will have sufficient land available for development to enable it to contribute to the growth of the county, in a way that is appropriate to its place in the settlement hierarchy.

Within this context, the alternatives available will relate to how these population targets are to be facilitated in the extent and location of residential zoning. This will generate alternatives based on the strategic options for settlement growth, such as the overall density of development to apply or the priority criteria used in determining the appropriate locations for Phase I residential development.

This generated the following options:

• Alternative A – Balanced site specific criteria • Alternative B – Higher Density of Residential Development in each Settlement • Alternative C – Maintenance of Existing Density levels within Settlements • Alternative D – Stronger weighting on Town Centre Sites

The density and location of future residential development requires a balance between the desire to increase the number of people close to local services, the desire to regenerate and consolidate development in town centres and the need to protect the architectural, archaeological and natural environments of settlements in the county. Alternative A represents an appropriate balance between the competing environmental objectives and formed the basis for Variation No. 2.

3.7 Environmental Assessment of Variation No. 2 The assessment described within this Environmental Report aims to highlight the potential conflicts, if they are present, between the stated policies and objectives contained in Variation No. 2 with the Strategic Environmental Objectives of the adopted County Development Plan. Furthermore the assessment examines the potential impact arising from the Plan’s implementation of its policies and objectives on sensitive environmental receptors.

It is worth reiterating that the process of SEA and the variation preparation is an iterative process and, as such, environmental considerations have informed all stages of the variation preparation in order for potential for significant adverse effects arising from the varied plan implementation to be minimised. Nonetheless, it is possible that some individual objectives will potentially lead to adverse effects of varying severity. Where the environmental assessment identifies significant adverse effects, consideration is given in the first instance to preventing such impacts; where this is not possible for stated reasons, to lessening or offsetting those effects.

In accordance with SEA guidelines quality of impact is addressed using the following terms:

Potential Positive impact: A change which improves the quality of the environment. Potential Neutral impact: A change which does not affect the quality of the environment.

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Potential Negative impact: A change which reduces or lessens the quality of the environment. Uncertain impact: The nature of any impact cannot be ascertained at this stage.

The initial stage aims to ascertain the quality, if any, of the potential impact. Each of the individual settlements’ policies and objectives have been screened for their impact and where a neutral impact is noted no further discussion is provided within this report. This format allows for the ER to focus on the negative and positive impacts and proceed to a discussion on their significance and duration. Thus it is a more robust, more focused approach to understanding the potential impact associated with the varied Plan’s implementation.

Finally where it has been determined that a policy / objective may potentially result in a negative impact on an environmental receptor appropriate level mitigation measures are proposed.

3.8 Mitigation Section (g) of Schedule 2B of the SEA Regulations require information on the mitigation measures that will be put in place to minimise / eliminate any significant adverse impacts due to the implementation of the varied Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019. Chapter 8 of this document highlights the mitigation measures that are in place under the adopted County Development Plan to counter identified significant adverse impacts due to the implementation of Variation No. 2. As stated previously the formulation of Variation No. 2 and the development of the SEA is an iterative process and therefore many of the potential negative aspects of the Plan have been removed. Thus the objectives and policies contained within Variation No. 2 are considered robust and environmentally sustainable. However some unavoidable residual issues may remain and therefore mitigation measures are required. Chapter 9 details the additional mitigation measures necessary to prevent, reduce, and as fully as possible, offset any significant adverse impacts on the environment of implementing the varied Plan.

3.9 Monitoring Article 10 of the SEA Directive sets out the requirement that monitoring is to be carried out of the significant environmental effects of the implementation of the Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019 in order to identify at an early stage any unforeseen adverse effects and to be able to undertake appropriate remedial action.

This section outlines any proposed amendments to the existing monitoring methods for the Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019 as a result of Variation No. 2.

3.10 Technical Difficulties Encountered A sizeable volume of information was available given the data collected in the recent review of the County Development Plan. Recent National and County level studies on various aspects of the environment (water, cultural heritage, etc.) also resulted in a significant amount of data becoming available. However gaps do remain in information available, for instance in relation to complete ecological coverage, e.g. habitats, trees, hedgerows etc.

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3.11 Report Preparation This report has been prepared by Brady Shipman Martin, Planning, Environmental and Landscape Consultants and Scott Cawley, Ecologists on behalf of Meath County Council.

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4.0 REVIEW OF RELEVANT POLICIES PLANS AND PROGRAMMES

4.1 Introduction Variation No. 2 is framed within a hierarchy of spatial plans which range from international down to national, to regional to site specific level. These plans are informed by International, National and Regional level policy guidelines. This hierarchy of plans, programmes, policies, strategies, etc. sets the legislative and policy framework by which Variation No. 2 must be formulated. The National, Regional and County level strategies and policies play a central role in establishing higher level agendas and the county level plan objectives. The Variation to the County Development Plan 2013-2019 is required to conform to and translate the objectives of these higher levels plans, which includes the adopted Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019.

The SEA Directive requires that the SEA process should include a review of other plans or programmes, which are associated to and concern the assessment of Variation No. 2. For the most part all of these plans or programmes are listed in the Environmental Report prepared in the making of the Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019.

For completeness this chapter lists all such relevant legislation, plans etc. at an international, national, regional county and sub-county level and provides updates, comments and or corrections as appropriate. Where documents remain unchanged since the preparation for the underlying Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019, no further comment is given below. The key issue is that Variation No. 2 and its SEA has taken due consideration of the objectives set out in the legislative and policy framework.

Note: In the following corrections are indicated as follows: Additions are in Red Text Deletions are in Blue Strikethrough Text

4.2 Relevant International Legislation And Policy 4.2.1 Sustainable Development and Climate Change 4.2.1.1 Agenda 21 4.2.1.2 Sixth Environment Action Programme (EAP) of the European Community 2002-2012 4.2.1.3 The EU Sustainable Development Strategy (SDS) 4.2.1.4 Kyoto Protocol

4.2.2 Air Quality 4.2.2.1 The Ambient Air Quality and Cleaner Air for Europe (CAFE) Directive 4.2.2.2 National Emissions Ceiling Directive (2001/81/EC) (NEC Directive) 4.2.2.3 IPPC Directive, (2008/1/EC) 2008 4.2.2.4 Industrial Emissions Directive (2010/75/EC)

4.2.3 Energy 4.2.3.1 Directive 2009/28/EC on the Promotion of the use of Energy from Renewable Sources

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4.2.4 Water Protection and Management 4.2.4.1 Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) as amended The Water Framework Directive (WFD) (2000/60/EC) seeks to improve or maintain the ecological and physico-chemical quality of all waterbodies – rivers, lochs, groundwater, transitional waters (estuaries) and coastal waters. When fully operational, the WFD will achieve the level of protection afforded by a number of existing directives, including the Shellfish Waters Directive (and Freshwater Fish Directive), which is scheduled to be repealed in 2013.

4.2.4.2 Floods Directive (2007/60/EC) 4.2.4.3 The Drinking Water Directive (DWD), (98/83/EC) 1998 4.2.4.4 EC Freshwater Fish Directive, (78/659/EEC) 1978 The EC Freshwater Fish Directive is be repealed in 2013 by the EU Water Framework Directive.

4.2.4.5 The Groundwater Directive, (2006/118/EC) 2006 A public consultation on the review of Annexes I and II of the Groundwater Directive was carried out in 2013 with the aim of collecting opinions on different policy options for the review of the Annexes, and to identify missing options and gather data on impacts.

4.2.4.6 EC Bathing Water Quality Directive, (2006/7/EC) 2006 4.2.4.7 Shellfish Directive, (2006/113/EC), 2006 4.2.4.8 EC Nitrates Directive (91/676/EEC), 1991 4.2.4.9 IPPC Directive, (2008/1/EC) 2008 4.2.4.10 Industrial Emissions Directive (2010/75/EC)

4.2.5 Waste Management 4.2.5.1 Directive on Waste (2008/98/EC), 2008 4.2.5.2 EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), 1991 4.2.5.3 EU Directive on Waste, (2006/12/EC), 2006 4.2.5.4 EU Landfill of Waste Directive (1999/31/EC), 1999

4.2.6 Natural and Cultural Heritage 4.2.6.1 European Convention on the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage, 1992 (The Valletta Convention) 4.2.6.2 Convention for the Protection of the Architectural Heritage of Europe, 1985 (Granada Convention) 4.2.6.3 World Heritage Convention 4.2.6.4 EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 4.2.6.5 EU Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds, (2009/147/EC) 1979 4.2.6.6 EU Directive on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Flora and Fauna, (92/43/EEC), 1992 4.2.6.7 European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 4.2.6.8 The Convention for the Protection of the marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (the OSPAR Convention) 4.2.6.9 UN Convention of Biological Diversity, 1992

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4.2.7 Environmental Assessment 4.2.7.1 SEA Directive - Assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the Environment, (2001/42/EC) 2001 4.2.7.2 Environmental Impact Assessment Directive (85/337/EEC) (97/11/EC), 1985

4.2.8 Soil 4.2.8.1 IPPC Directive, (2008/1/EC) 2008 4.2.8.2 Industrial Emissions Directive (2010/75/EC)

4.2.9 Air and Noise 4.2.9.1 Environmental Noise Directive (2002/49/EC) 2002 4.2.9.2 Climate Change Programme (ECCP II) 4.2.9.3 IPPC Directive, (2008/1/EC) 2008 4.2.9.4 Industrial Emissions Directive (2010/75/EC) 4.2.9.5 EU Reach Initiative, (EC 1907/2006) 2007 4.2.9.6 EU Major Accident (Seveso II) Directive, (96/82/EC) 1996 4.2.9.7 Stockholm Convention

4.2.10 Landscape 4.2.10.1 European Landscape Convention 2000 In September 2011 the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht issued a Strategy Issues Paper for Consultation on A National Landscape Strategy for Ireland, the preparation of which is a commitment of Ireland’s signing and ratification of the European landscape Convention.

4.3 National Level Policy, Plans And Programmes In addition to the policies, plans and programmes listed hereunder, attention is drawn to the primary planning and development legislation in Ireland, The Planning and Development Act 2000 as amended. As recommended by the EPA attention is also drawn to:

o DoECLG Circular (PSSP 6/2011) ‘Further Transposition of the EU Directive 2001/42/EC on Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)’. o DoECLG Circular (Circular PL 9/2013) ‘Article 8 (Decision Making) of EU Directive 2001/42/EC on Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) as amended’.

4.3.1 Sustainable Development 4.3.1.1 Sustainable Development: A Strategy for Ireland, 1997 4.3.1.2 Making Ireland’s Development Sustainable 2002 4.3.1.3 National Development Plan (NDP) Transforming Ireland A Better Quality of Life for All 2007-2013 4.3.1.4 National Spatial Strategy 2002-2020 In February 2013 the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government announced that it was the Government’s intention to replace the National Spatial Strategy 2002-2020 with a revised strategy.

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4.3.1.5 Development Plans Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2007)

4.3.2 Retail 4.3.2.1 Retail Planning Guidelines (RPG) (2005) 4.3.2.2 Guidelines for Planning Authorities – Retail Planning (April 2012)

4.3.3 Housing 4.3.3.1 Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas (Cities, Towns & Villages) (2009) 4.3.3.2 Sustainable Rural Housing – Guidelines for Planning Authorities 2005 4.3.3.3 Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities, (2007) 4.3.3.4 Quality Housing for Sustainable Communities, (2007) 4.3.3.5 Sustainable Urban Housing: Design Standards for New Apartments. Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2007)

4.3.4 Transport 4.3.4.1 Transport 21 & Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2012-2016 Medium Term Exchequer Framework 4.3.4.2 Smarter Travel, A Sustainable Transport Future, A New Transport Policy for Ireland 2009-2020 4.3.4.3 National Cycle Policy Framework 2009-2012 4.3.4.4 Spatial Planning and National Roads Guidelines for Planning Authorities, 2012

4.3.5 Flooding 4.3.5.1 The Planning System and Flood Risk Management Guidelines (and Technical Appendices) for Planning Authorities (DoEHLG, OPW), 2009 4.3.6 Noise 4.3.6.1 The Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992 (Noise) Regulations, 1994 (S.I. No. 179 of 1994) 4.3.6.2 Environmental Noise Regulations 2006 SI 140 of 2006

4.3.7 Energy 4.3.7.1 National Renewable Energy Action Plan, (NREAP) 2010 4.3.7.2 Delivering a Sustainable Energy Future for Ireland - The Energy Policy Framework, 2007–2020 (White Paper) 4.3.7.3 Wind Energy Development Guidelines - Guidelines for Planning Authorities, 2006 4.3.7.4 Delivering a Sustainable Energy Future for Ireland - The Energy Policy Framework 2007-2020 4.3.7.5 Bioenergy Action Plan 4.3.7.6 Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP) in the Republic of Ireland

4.3.8 Natural & Cultural Heritage 4.3.8.1 Appropriate Assessment of Plans and Projects in Ireland. Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2009) 4.3.8.2 Actions for Biodiversity 2011 – 2016, Ireland’s 2nd National Biodiversity Plan 4.3.8.3 Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000

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4.3.8.4 Architectural Heritage Protection - Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2011) 4.3.8.5 National Heritage Plan, (2002) 4.3.8.6 National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH)

4.3.9 Quarries 4.3.9.1 Quarries and Ancillary Activities, Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2004) 4.3.9.2 Section 261A of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) and related provisions, Guidelines for Planning Authorities, (Jan 2012)

4.3.10 Water Protection and Management 4.3.10.1 Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts (1977 and 1990) 4.3.10.2 Water Services Act (2007) 4.3.10.3 Water Services (Amendment) Act (2012) 4.3.10.4 Water Quality (Dangerous Substances) Regulations, (2001) 4.3.10.5 Code of Practice: Wastewater Treatment Systems for Single Houses (P.E. <10), EPA, (2009)

4.3.11 Waste Management 4.3.11.1 Changing Our Ways, (1998) 4.3.11.2 Preventing and Recycling Waste: Delivering Change, (2002) 4.3.11.3 National Strategy for Biodegradable Waste, (2006) 4.3.11.4 Towards a new National Waste Policy, Discussion Document, (2011)

4.3.12 Air and Climate 4.3.12.1 National Climate Change Strategy (2007-2012) 4.3.12.2 Air Pollution Act, (1987)

4.3.13 Landscape 4.3.13.1 A National Landscape Strategy for Ireland – Strategy Issues Paper for Public Consultation, (Sept 2011) The final strategy is due to be published in 2014.

4.3.13.2 Draft Landscape and Landscape Assessment Guidelines, (2000)

4.4 Regional Level Policies And Plans 4.4.1 Implementation of Regional Planning Guidelines Best Practice Guidance (2010) 4.4.2 Regional Planning Guidelines for the Greater Dublin Area (2010-2022) The Regional Planning Guidelines outline a range of criteria for Development Plans in the context of population and settlement and identify strategic infrastructure investments for the region. The Regional Guidelines have influenced the development of the settlement strategy for County Meath and in turn Variation No. 2 of the Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019.

4.4.3 North East Regional Waste Management Plan (2005-2010) Following the amalgamation of three waste regions, Dublin, North East and Midlands, Dublin City Council is the lead authority progressing the preparation of a new waste management plan. The public consultation phase for this plan has commenced.

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4.4.4 Greater Dublin Strategic Drainage Study, (2001) 4.4.5 Retail Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area (2008-2016) 4.4.6 Draft Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area – National Transport Authority, (20112010-2030) Title start date corrected.

4.4.7 Eastern River Basin District River Basin Management Plan (2009 – 2015) 4.4.8 Eastern Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) 4.4.9 Draft Fingal East Meath Flood Risk Assessment and Management Study (FEMFRAMS) The FEMFRAMS Study was finalised in 2012 and is no longer in Draft form.

4.5 County Level Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019 The Core Strategy of the Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019 requires the realisation of a number of stated objectives within specified periods. The stated objectives seek to ensure that the development frameworks and land use zoning objectives of individual centres adhere to the settlement strategy and Core Strategy, particularly Table 2.4, of this Development Plan. This requires a review of the existing land use zoning objectives to ensure compliance with the new land use zoning objectives contained in the County Development Plan and to ensure that the quantum of lands identified for residential development adheres to the household allocation for each centre. The purpose of Variation No. 2 is to give effect to a number of the objectives contained in the Core Strategy of the Meath County Development Plan 2013 – 2019 as varied.

CS OBJ 2 To publish a variation to the Meath County Development Plan 2013 – 2019 within one year of the adoption of the Development Plan to introduce land use zoning objectives and an order of priority for the release of lands for Ashbourne, Drogheda Environs, Dunboyne / Clonee / Pace, Dunshaughlin and Ratoath. Following the making of this variation, the Planning Authority shall publish amendments to the Local Area Plans of Ashbourne, Drogheda Environs, Dunboyne/Clonee/Pace, Dunshaughlin and Ratoath to ensure that they are consistent with the Development Plan, as varied, and particularly the settlement strategy, core strategy and household allocations outlined in Table 2.4.

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There is also an objective contained in the Economic Strategy which must be realised in tandem with the above.

…………(i) occur in tandem with the assessment of residentially zoned lands required pursuant to the Core Strategy (CS OBJ 2 & 3 refer);……………… ……… …… (ii) apply the land use zoning objectives contained in the Core Strategy of this County Development Plan to the individual Town Development Plan, Local Area Plan or individual objective maps to be included in the County Development Plan as relating to industrial and employment generating uses (land use zoning objectives E1, E2 and E3 refer from the Core Strategy); …………. …… …… ...... (iii) critically assess the nature, quantum and location of lands identified for industrial and employment generating use in Dunboyne/ Clonee/ Pace, Kells and Gormonston/ Stamullen. In the case of Dunboyne / Clonee / Pace, the integrated land use and transportation study identified as a high level development objective in Section 4.1.4 will be required to be completed in advance of this exercise being carried out. As part of this integrated land use and transportation study, Meath County Council will consult and agree the future location and appropriate scale of development, particularly in the knowledge intensive, science based and people intensive employment sectors with statutory stakeholders including the NTA, NRA and Iarnród Éireann; ……………………… … ………… ………. ………. ……….. … … .. (v) review of the zoning objectives for Maynooth Environs and Kilbride in the preparation of zoning maps for the centres for inclusion in the County Development Plan. ………………… …… The strategy for the future development of the settlements as covered by Variation No. 2 focuses on the principles established in the Core Strategy as contained in the Meath CDP 2013-2019.

Other County Level legalisation and policy documents include:

4.5.1 Corporate Plan for Meath Local Authorities (2009 – 2014) 4.5.2 Le Chéile – An Integrated Strategy for Meath to 2012 4.5.3 County Meath Heritage Plan (2007-2011) 4.5.4 County Meath Biodiversity Action Plan (2008-2012) 4.5.5 County Meath Groundwater Protection Scheme 4.5.6 Brú na Bóinne World Heritage Site Management Plan (2002)

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4.5.7 County Meath Wetlands and Coastal Habitats Survey 4.5.8 Transboundary Development Plans

4.6 Sub County Level Plans Variation No. 2 subsumes 29 of the 42 settlements listed under Section 4.6 Sub County Level Plans into the County Development Plan, together with the zoning maps for 5 Local Area Plan settlements (i.e. Ashbourne; Drogheda (Southern) Environs; Dunboyne-Clonee-Pace; Dunshaughlin; and Ratoath).

All of these settlements were previously covered by individual Local Area Plans and therefore, the intention is, by means of Variation No.2, to reduce the overall number of Sub County Level Local Area Plans in County Meath from 40 to 6, i.e.

• Bettystown-Laytown-Mornington East-Donacarney-Mornington; • Ashbourne; • Drogheda (Southern) Environs; • Dunboyne-Clonee-Pace; • Dunshaughlin; and • Ratoath.

It is noted that a separate draft Local Area Plan for Bettystown-Laytown-Mornington East-Donacarney-Mornington is currently at material alterations stage. The existing Local Area Plans for the other 5 no centres / group of centres are being retained.

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5.0 ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE OF THE PLAN AREA

5.1 Introduction The purpose of this section of the Environmental Report is to describe the relevant aspects of the current state of the environment within the Plan area. This baseline information outlines the environmental context within which the settlements are located and for which the Variation will be implemented.

The aim of this chapter is therefore to identify the following parameters:

• The key environmental baseline resources and sensitivities; • The key environmental threats and trends; and • The likely evolution of the environment in the absence of the Variation.

The baseline data allows for the “State” of the environment to be identified in objective terms. Where possible and where data exists a quantitative measurement of the environmental conditions is provided, however where such information is absent, qualitative descriptions of environmental themes are provided instead. Where important information deficits are noted, recommendations are provided in the mitigation measures section to ensure that any absence of critical information will be addressed as part of the ongoing monitoring and review of the County Development Plan.

The headings provided are in accordance with the legislative requirements of the SEA Directive. An emphasis is placed on the strategic elements of each aspect and where potentially relevant to Plan policy. The topics addressed are:

• Population, Human Health* and Quality Of Life • Biodiversity • Soil & Geology • Water • Air Quality and Climate Change • Material Assets • Cultural Heritage • Landscape

* Human health is not considered directly in this report, but is instead dealt with through consideration of other environmental issues such as air quality, water quality etc.

5.2 Effects of Not Implementing the Plan Variation No. 2 of the Meath County Development Plan 2013 – 2019 incorporates the following measures:

• introducing development objectives (including land use zoning objectives) into the Meath County Development Plan 2013 – 2019 for 29 existing urban centres which

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presently have Local Area Plans. This is the beginning of a process which will reduce the number of Local Area Plans which presently exist in County Meath to 6 no.4;

• introducing land use zoning objectives and an order of priority into the Meath County Development Plan 2013 – 2019 for the release of residential and employment lands for 5 centres which will retain their Local Area Plans, namely: Ashbourne, Drogheda (Southern) Environs, Dunboyne/Clonee/Pace, Dunshaughlin and Ratoath;

• ensuring that only the quantum of land required to meet the household projections as set out in Table 2.4 (of Meath County Development Plan) for each centre is identified for release during the lifetime of the Meath County Development Plan 2013–2019. This will ensure consistency with the Core Strategy of the Meath County Development Plan 2013–2019;

• reviewing the appropriateness of the nature, location and quantum of industrial and employment generating land use within each centre as part of this process, and;

• applying the land use zoning objectives contained in the Core Strategy of the Meath County Development Plan 2013 – 2019 to the land use zoning objectives maps which are being incorporated into the Meath County Development Plan 2013 – 2019.

As a result, the main effects of not implementing Variation No. 2 would comprise:

• retaining a scale of residential zoning in excess of that required to meet current expected demand for housing within the lifetime of the county development plan. • retaining the zoning of land for development in the lifetime of the current county development plan that is within Flood Zone A or B. • retaining the zoning of land for enterprise development in the lifetime of the current county development without a full assessment of its appropriateness.

This could have the following effects on the environment:

• increasing the risk of flooding on new or existing development • maintaining the risk of non-sequential development within settlements with potential negative impacts for natural heritage, transport, support for town centres and historic sites. • permitting future industrial development within settlements that exceeds local sustainable demand, with consequent impact on traffic generation, air emissions, noise, requirements for infrastructural development and the natural environment. • delivering development within settlements that is not in balance with the settlement strategy with consequent impacts on traffic generation and pressure on infrastructure, natural and built heritage.

5.3 Technical Difficulties Encountered and Information Gaps A sizeable volume of information was compiled and collated in relation to the environment during the preparation of the SEA for the recent review of the County Development Plan. As

4 It is the intention of Meath County Council to commence the revocation process of the 29 Local Area Plans as soon as this variation to the Meath County Development Plan has been made.

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 48 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Environmental Baseline of the Plan Area such recent National and County level studies on various aspects of the environment (water, cultural heritage etc.) have resulted in a significant amount of data becoming available. However gaps do remain in information available, for instance in relation to complete ecological coverage, e.g. habitats, trees, hedgerows etc.

5.4 Study Area Overview The Meath County Development Plan (CDP) 2013–2019 sets out the overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of the county over a six year period. The plan has a critical role to play in ensuring that the needs of future population growth are planned. The CDP settlement strategy has been informed by the Regional Planning Guidelines for the Greater Dublin Area and the environmental sensitivities of the county. The settlement strategy is based on building strong urban centres while protecting the rural hinterlands. The plan also emphasises the need to protect the built heritage, unique landscape, natural heritage and biodiversity of the county for their intrinsic value and as a resource for the tourist economy of the future.

The county hosts a wealth of environmentally designated sites of national and international importance, including sites of international cultural heritage importance such as the Brú na Bóinne World Heritage Site and sites of European importance for protection of habitats and species such as the River Boyne and River Blackwater candidate Special Area of Conservation. These and other sites in the county will have a direct relevance to the potential environmental impacts of the growth of the settlements.

5.5 Population, Human Health and Quality Of Life 5.5.1 Introduction Impacts on human health and quality of life may derive from any of the environmental parameters discussed throughout this Chapter. Ultimately, all of the effects of a development on the environment impact upon human beings and their quality of life, both positively and negatively. Direct effects relate to matters such as water and air quality, noise, and landscape change. Indirect effects relate to such matters as flora and fauna.

Accordingly, the topic of human beings and their quality of life is addressed in this Environmental Report by means of an appraisal of the indirect effects, etc. of Variation No. 2 on the other environment parameters, of which human beings and their quality of life are an integral part. Where appropriate, mitigation measures to reduce/avoid adverse impacts are identified and incorporated into this Report and the Plan under the other environmental parameters.

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5.5.2 Population Trends Three major trends determine population change, namely; the number of births, the number of deaths and migration to and from a location. The 2011 Census results recorded a population of 184,135 for County Meath. This constitutes an increase of 13.1% since the previous census in 2006 (refer Figure 3). This compares to a 9.1% increase experienced across Leinster and 8.2% nationally. Table 2 below shows the actual and percentage population growth within the County, compared to that in Leinster and nationally.

Actual Population % Pop Population 2006 Population 2011 Change Change State 4,239,848 4,588,252 348,404 8.2 Leinster 2,295,123 2,504,814 209,691 9.1 Meath 162,831 184,135 21,304 13.1

Table 5.1: Actual and Percentage Population Growth 2006-2011

The settlements subject to Variation No. 2 vary in population size from 11,338 in Ashbourne down to fewer than 200 residents in Rathcairn, Gibbstown or Moynalty. Four of the settlements, (namely Ashbourne, Dunboyne-Clonee-Pace, Drogheda (Southern) Environs and Ratoath) have populations greater than 5,000 and as such will also be subject to future Local Area Plans. Notably, these settlements exceed the thresholds set out in S.I. 201 of 2011, and as a result will require mandatory Strategic Environmental Assessment for their Local Area Plans. A Local Area Plan is being retained for Dunshaughlin as it requires the preparation of a Transport Plan pursuant to the draft NTA strategy although the recorded population in 2011 was 3,903 persons. The remaining 29 settlements all have less than 5,000 population.

Of the settlements defined as towns in Census 2011 and forming part of this variation, the highest population growth between 2006 and 2011 occurred in Carlanstown, Clonard and Kilmessan. Population grew in each of these towns by in excess of 70%.

5.5.3 Household Sizes The national trend is one of falling household size from an average of 3.14 persons per household in 1996 to 2.7 in 2011 (Census 2011). County Meath has recorded a slightly higher average of 3 persons per household in 2011 which constitutes the highest average of the counties in the Greater Dublin Area. This suggests family units and demonstrates the County’s desirability to this group both as an attractive place to live but also due in part to its relative affordability and proximity to Dublin.

5.5.4 Settlement Strategy Reflecting the development themes of the Meath CDP 2013-2019, the purpose of a Core Strategy is to provide a medium to longer term quantitatively based strategy for the spatial development of the towns and villages within the County with the over-arching aim being to allow for consolidation of local facilities and infrastructure to serve the local population, reduce the pattern of commuter-led development and facilitate more sustainable communities. Settlements higher in the hierarchy are promoted to sustain a higher order of employment and service functions, and support substantial residential populations.

Table 5.2 is a reprint of Table 3.2 of the Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019 which sets out the Settlement Hierarchy for the county. Therefore, the Meath County

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Development Plan establishes population targets for each of the settlements included in Variation No.2.

Type of Settlement Centre Large Growth Town I Navan* and Drogheda Environs Large Growth Town II Dunboyne and Maynooth Environs Moderate Sustainable Growth Towns Kells, Trim, Ashbourne, Kilcock Environs and Dunshaughlin Small Towns Athboy, Bettystown / Laytown / Mornington East, Duleek, Enfield, Oldcastle, Ratoath, Stamullen Villages Ballivor, Carlanstown, Carnaross, Clonee, Clonard, Crossakiel, Donore, Drumconrath, Gibbstown, Gormonston, Julianstown, Kentstown, Kilbride, Kildalkey, Kilmainhamwood, Kilmessan, Longwood, Mornington / Donacarney, Moynalty, Nobber, Rathcairn, Rathmolyon, Slane, Summerhill * not subject of Variation No. 2 Table 5.2: Meath County Council Settlement Strategy

5.5.5 Radon Radon levels in the County have been collated from the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland. Results show that there are parts of Meath in which residents are at a higher risk of being exposed to Radon. Meath County Development Plan states that these areas include Stamullen / Gormanstown, Dunshaughlin / Oberstown, and Athboy.

5.5.6 Noise Environmental noise is described as unwanted or harmful outdoor sound created by human activities, including road, rail, air traffic and industry. EC Directive 2002/49/EC deals with the regulation of environmental noise. It does not apply to domestic noise. The directive is implemented in Ireland by the Environmental Noise Regulations 2006 (SI 140/2006).

The Regulations allow for action to be taken by each member state, with a view to preventing and reducing environmental noise, particularly where exposure levels can induce harmful effects on human health and to preserving environmental acoustic quality where it is good.

The Regulations have designated the relevant local authorities as the bodies charged with development and making of Noise Action Plans. Figures 4a - 4b set out the noise modelling carried out in the county. This relates to national and major regional roads only.

5.5.7 Existing Environmental Issues Significant environmental issues exist with regard to the population of County Meath. The unprecedented growth of the past fifteen years has placed considerable strain on the County’s ability to adequately provide the physical and social infrastructure needed to support its growing population. It is well known that the settlement pattern in County Meath has resulted in a pattern of unsustainable commuting which has been shown to have a negative impact on human health and quality of life.

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Challenges for the future include retaining the young working population of Meath to prevent high levels of emigration by encouraging them to live and work in the area.

There are several locations throughout the County that are at high risk of Radon exposure.

Several locations throughout the County have been found to be exposed to environmental noise levels over the accepted thresholds. Map 4.4 highlights the areas of the County at risk from environmental noise.

5.6 Biodiversity 5.6.1 Introduction The natural heritage of the county is an important asset and a unique resource. Habitat types are distributed throughout the county, including sites designated under legislation and undesignated areas that contribute to the quality of the natural environment.

5.6.2 Designated Habitats (refer to Figure 2) The EU has provided a basis for the legal protection of certain important ecological sites throughout Europe, through the Natura 2000 network, to assure the long-term survival of Europe's most valuable and threatened species and habitats. The network is comprised of:

• Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), established for the protection and conservation of habitats and species listed in of the EU Habitats Directive. • Special Protection Areas (SPA); established for the protection and conservation of rare and threatened bird species and regularly occurring migratory species, and for bird habitats.

In addition to SPA and SAC designations, Irish legislation contains a further designation for areas that are considered important for their habitats or which hold species of plants and animals whose habitats needs protection – these areas are known as NHAs (Natural Heritage Areas) and are designated under the Wildlife (Amendment) Act, 2000. NHAs are also designated to conserve and protect nationally important landforms, geological or geomorphological features.

Depending on their quality and importance, sites may carry multiple designations such as SAC, SPA, NHA, Ramsar site, Statutory Nature Reserve or Refuge for Fauna. Planning Authorities are obliged by law to ensure that these sites are protected and conserved. The designated habitats within the county are shown in Figure 2.

A Natura Impact Report has been carried out on Variation No. 2 in a separate report. The Natura Impact Report gives full details on the designated sites in the county and their qualifying interests and examines how they are expected to interact with the proposed settlement plans.

5.6.3 Other Habitats In addition to the areas protected by legislation many other important habitat types exist within the county area and these sites play a significant role in the natural environment.

Furthermore, within the County there are a range of other habitat types (broadly described and classified in “A Guide to Habitats in Ireland” published by The Heritage Council, 2000). Some of the habitats identified in this area include:

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• Grasslands • Scrub • Drainage ditches • Lakes, Rivers and Canals • Coastal Zones • Inland Wetlands • Agricultural or Cultivated Land • Horticultural Land

These habitats have an important function in providing shelter and refuge to a host of animal and plant species alike. There is a wide range and type of species that are supported by these habitats in the Plan area.

5.6.4 Existing Environmental Issues Nationally, although significant progress has been made in the past decade, biodiversity loss has not been halted in Ireland. The status of many of our habitats and some of our species is judged to be poor or bad (Ireland’s Second National Biodiversity Plan). There are five main pressures causing biodiversity loss:

• habitat change • overexploitation • pollution • invasive alien species • climate change

The primary mechanism for conserving, protecting and enhancing biodiversity in Ireland is through the Actions for Biodiversity 2011-2016, Ireland’s Second National Biodiversity Plan5, of which a key concept is that local authorities (and other agencies) share responsibility for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. The Plan states that the principal target is: “That biodiversity loss and degradation of ecosystems are reduced by 2016 and progress is made towards substantial recovery by 2020.”

It is European and national policy to protect designated areas from development thus ensuring their long term protection. Therefore, restrictions must be provided within the plan and indeed close to such areas where such development is incompatible with the site’s long term protection. The National Parks and Wildlife Service is preparing management plans for the nations natural assets which is likely to take some time to complete but will become a valuable tool in assessing the issues relevant to each site. The management plans will also provide mechanisms for their effective protection. Designated areas will form the basis of controlled development within the plan area and restrictions imposed on further development, which may adversely impact on the overall integrity of the protected area.

As stated previously, under the Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora) an Appropriate Assessment is required for all plans or projects which may impact on sites designated as either Special Areas of Conservation or Special Protection Areas. Meath County Council will be obliged to seek such an assessment where the need arises.

5 Actions for Biodiversity 2011-2016, Ireland’s Second National Biodiversity Plan

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 53 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Environmental Baseline of the Plan Area

An apparent decline in the occurrence of rare/threatened and scarce plant species in the Co. Meath area can be attributed to a degradation of semi-natural habitats within the County that is due in part to changes in agricultural practices, but is also due to development pressures on the land, pressures that are increased by the plan area’s close proximity to Dublin.

The Natura Impact Report prepared separately for Variation No. 2 identifies the types of threats to the integrity of the European sites. These can then be related to the consequences of implementing Variation No. 2 to see if there is any risk of likely significant effects.

The following generic potential threats were identified:

Economic and Infrastructural Development • Golf Courses; • Roads, motorways; • Coastal protection works; • Sewage outflows; • Housing developments; • Communications Networks; • Quarries; • Canalisation; • Landfill land reclamation; • Disposal of household waste; • River Channel Maintenance, and; • Invasive Alien Species.

Recreation and Leisure • Walking, horse riding and non-motorised vehicles; • Offshore motorised vehicles; • Bait Digging, and; • New Paths and Tracks.

Each of the settlements comprises existing built up areas interacting with adjoining undeveloped areas. The degree of sensitivity of the natural environment varies greatly across the county. The most sensitive settlements are those that include Natura 2000 sites or Natural Heritage Areas within their development envelope. These include Athboy, Slane, Drogheda (Southern) Environs, Maynooth Environs and Duleek. Many other settlements lie on rivers and other watercourses that feed designated sites downstream.

5.7 Soils and Geology 5.7.1 Soils County Meath has a varied soil profile (refer Figure 5). The county displays a range of soil type, typified by deep well drained minerals across the south and west of the county, with a higher proportion of Acid Deep Well Drained Minerals to the north of Navan, and Basic Deep Poorly Drained Mineral soils to the south east.

5.7.2 Geology The Geological Heritage of Meath, an audit of County Geological Sites in Meath was carried out in 2007 by the GSI in association with the Heritage Council and Meath County Council. It was carried out as an action of the County Meath Heritage Plan 2007-2011.

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 54 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Environmental Baseline of the Plan Area

County Meath is a place with a subtle but distinctive landscape formed over hundreds of millions of years by various geological processes. The bedrock foundation and the more recent history of geomorphological processes involving river channels and glaciers are what have created an underlying geological diversity. Figure 6 shows the Geology of the county area.

Figure 7 identifies the registered quarries in the county. These are largely located away from the settlements contained Variation No. 2. However, a small number lie close to existing settlements, particularly in Donore and Duleek.

5.7.3 Existing Environmental Issues Changes in soil result from both natural processes and human activities which contribute to their dynamic and evolving nature. Such changes are matters of concern if they result in the physical, biological or chemical degradation of soils. This can result in the impairment of ecologically-essential soil processes, the reduction in productive capacity, the depletion of soil quality and biodiversity and the direct loss of soil. Many of the changes arise as a result of pressures from human activities.

Urban environments have greatly changed in Ireland with the centres of population and towns being subjected to depopulation with growth focused on the periphery of these areas. With urban expansion, agricultural land surrounding towns and settlements as well as green areas within them are subjected to increasing pressures.

The type and depth of soil has direct implications on water movement which can lead to increased pollution threats if not properly considered.

5.8 Water 5.8.1 Introduction For the purposes of this section of the Environmental Report, the water environment is taken to include natural features such as lakes, rivers, streams and groundwater. In addition flooding is also dealt with in this section. Wastewater treatment and drinking water may be referred to in this section, but are discussed in more detail under the Material Assets section.

The Water Framework Directive establishes a common framework for the sustainable and integrated management of all waters covering groundwater, inland surface waters, transitional waters and coastal waters and requires a holistic approach to managing all water resources based on natural geographic boundaries (refer Figure 9).

The majority of County Meath (86%) lies within the Eastern River Basin District (ERBD). The Dee Catchment including Nobber and Kilmainhamwood is included in the Neagh Bann River Basin District which drains approximately 10% of the County whilst the remaining 4% of the County around Oldcastle is included in the Shannon River Basin District.

County Meath has a rich and varied water environment consisting of coastline, rivers, streams, lakes and estuarine waters (surface waters) and ground waters (underground water). The Royal and Boyne Navigation Canals also form part of this environment. Collectively, they constitute an important economic, recreational, ecological and aesthetic resource for the County.

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A River Basin Management Plan (RBMP) for the Eastern River Basin District was prepared and adopted in 2010. The RBMP provides objectives for River Basin Districts in order to implement the requirements of the WFD.

5.8.2 Surface Water Figure 8 indicates the main rivers of County Meath and Table 5.3 below sets out their WFD Water Quality status.

River Length 2009 WFD Water Quality River Boyne 115.3 Good – Moderate Rye Water 68.7 Good - Poor River Blackwater 67.8 Good – Moderate, Poor in places Moynalty River 54.1 Good – Moderate Athboy River 51.9 Good – Moderate River Nanny 48.6 Good - Poor River Dee 43.7 Good - Poor River Tolka 42.5 Moderate – Poor Delvin River 41.3 Moderate – Poor Skane River 40.3 Poor Clady River 35.8 Poor Hurley River 30.7 Moderate – Poor Tromman Stream 25.7 Not surveyed Broadmeadow Water 24.3 Poor Stonyford River 21.6 Good – Moderate Barora River 19.7 Not surveyed River Blackwater (South) 18.9 Good – Moderate, Poor in places Boycetown River 18.3 Moderate Upper Inny River 16.7 Not surveyed Pinkeen River 16.3 Moderate River Deel 16.2 Good – Moderate Knightsbrook River 12.3 Moderate – Poor Yellow River 11.9 Good - Poor Kilmainham River 11.4 Good Killary Water 10.7 Moderate – Poor Garra River 10.1 Not surveyed Table 5.3 Water Framework Directive Water Quality

5.8.3 Groundwater The Water Framework Directive identifies the groundwater status as being good across most of County Meath, with Poor Status being recorded to the south west, which affects the settlements of Kilcock, Maynooth and Dunboyne / Clonee / Pace.

The Meath County Groundwater Protection Scheme identifies ‘Extreme Vulnerability’ across the majority of the county particularly to the north and east. A substantial proportion of the remaining groundwater is identified as being of ‘high vulnerability’ (refer Figure 10). Groundwater protection is therefore of the utmost importance. Water Framework Directive (WFD) groundwater status is indicated on Figure 11.

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 56 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Environmental Baseline of the Plan Area

5.8.4 Flooding and Flood Risk Hydrological studies of a number of watercourses in the County have been undertaken by Meath County Council in recent years, in partnership with the OPW and Fingal County Council, to identify potential flood risks and measures to reduce the risks. These include:

• FEMFRAMS (Fingal East Meath Flood Risk Assessment Management Study) • River Tolka Flooding Study • Mornington District Surface Water & Flood Protection Scheme • Kells Stormwater Drainage Study • Swan River Flood Risk Assessment • River Rye Water Flood Risk Assessment Management Study

The OPW’s National Flood Hazard Mapping website6 makes available information on areas potentially at risk from flooding. This website provides information on numerous historical flood events that have affected Meath.

Rivers are the primary cause of flooding in Meath; historically, some 60% of events are attributed to fluvial sources ranging from the major rivers, such as the Boyne, Nanny and the Tolka, to the smaller tributaries and drains.

Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) are effective technologies which aim to reduce flood risk, improve water quality and enhance biodiversity and amenity. The objective of SuDS in new developments is to replicate, as closely as possible, the surface water drainage regime to the predevelopment ‘greenfield’ situation. The surface water runoff rate from the developed site must be limited to the ‘greenfield’ runoff rate to reduce the risk of flooding.

A Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) was undertaken as part of the preparation of Variation No. 2. These assessments were prepared in accordance with requirements of the DoECLG and OPW Planning Guidelines, The Planning System and Flood Risk Management.

5.8.5 Existing Environmental Issues Water bodies within the County are under a range of pressures. These include:

• diffuse pollution sources particularly from urban and agricultural land uses (domestic and industrial); and, • morphological alterations particularly channel drainage associated with rivers, impoundments on lakes.

Inadequately treated effluents can lead to unacceptable levels of harmful pollutants entering water courses or bodies. These pollutants can lead to deterioration in overall water quality but more dramatically give rise to fish kills, adverse impacts on human health, bathing water quality, shellfish waters and delicate habitats. The key issue in relation to discharges is the assimilation capacity of the receiving river.

The potential impacts of pollution from increased urbanisation are a particular problem in the Eastern River Basin district. The subject of combined sewer overflow spillage and run-off

6 www.floodmaps.ie

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 57 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Environmental Baseline of the Plan Area from road networks into the basins estuaries, rivers, canals is also of concern. Increased urbanisation and impermeable areas allow storm water to reach drainage networks faster than before. The receiving sewer networks are in some areas unable to cope with this influx leading to an increased risk of localised flooding. Also increased storm flows, previously attenuated by undeveloped land can increase the occurrence of combined sewers overflowing to surface water.

Water abstraction is an increasing problem for water resources and can potentially lead to problems for both underground and surface water bodies. An increasing demand for water means its removal from the ground or the river may result in endangering ecosystems by virtue of diminished water supply. In extreme cases over abstraction can result in dried up rivers or lake shore and can lead to salt water intrusion into groundwater.

A Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) has been carried out as part of the preparation of Variation No. 2. This has informed the phasing of residential and other zoned lands and in identifying areas of flood risk. Where development is proposed within an area of potential flood risk, a flood risk assessment of appropriate scale will be required and this assessment must take into account climate change and associated impacts. It is noted that no undefended greenfield site which does not have an extant planning permission identified in Flood Risk Zones A or B have being retained for residential or other vulnerable uses.

The SFRA examined the land use zoning within the settlements to identify where a Justification Test would be required, to support development of less vulnerable or highly vulnerable use. The key settlements that required a Justification Test for the development classes proposed are Athboy, Dunboyne / Clonee / Pace, Kilcock, Maynooth and Drogheda (Southern) Environs, noting that with the exception of a brownfield site in Athboy and a defended greenfield site in Clonee, only strategic road objectives successfully passed the plan making Justification Test in the remaining centres.

5.9 Air and Climate 5.9.1 Air Quality Air quality monitoring in Ireland is undertaken largely to implement EC Directives. In 2008 the EC Directive 2008/50/EC on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe (the CAFE Directive) entered into force. This piece of legislation placed the previous air quality framework legislation into a single directive. It sets out air quality objectives and targets

The Environmental Protection Agency is involved in air quality monitoring and has installed a number of air quality monitoring stations throughout Ireland. The EPA Report Air Quality in Ireland 2011 provides an overview of the air quality in the country for 2011 based on data obtained from the 28 monitoring stations. The one monitoring station for Co. Meath is located in Navan. The County of Meath is primarily located within Zone D (primarily smaller settlements and rural areas outside of cities and major centres).

There are 24 Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control / Industrial Emissions licensed activities in the County. These are identified on Figure 12.

5.9.2 Climate Change Climate Change is a phenomenon that has widespread economic, health and safety, food production, security, and other dimensions. It is also widely recognised that Climate Change

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 58 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Environmental Baseline of the Plan Area is occurring as a result of the build-up of atmospheric Greenhouse Gases (GHG’s) such as carbon dioxide. Most GHG emissions are related to the energy generation, transport, agriculture, and industry sectors.

The National Climate Change Strategy 2007-2012 states that there is now scientific consensus that global warming is occurring as a result of man-made greenhouse gases. In order to avoid the devastating effects that climate change is predicted to have, action must be taken to stabilise and reduce these harmful emissions.7 The EPA states that global warming is the primary environmental challenge of this century.8

5.9.3 Existing Environmental Issues

5.9.3.1 Air Quality Overall, road traffic has now become the greatest source of air pollution generally. In urban areas, concern has clearly shifted to a range of pollutants associated with this source which may be considered relatively new in the context of air quality control. The most important of these pollutants are NO2, particulate matter less than 10 microns in diameter (PM10), carbon monoxide (CO) and a wide variety of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), including carcinogens such as benzene. Advances in engine technology and fuel development will, it is predicted, offset any rise in tail pipe emissions from increased car usage due to an increased population. The context to the plan area is rural in nature where travel is an essential part of daily life. Therefore it is important that a good quality road infrastructure is provided and indeed alternatives to the private car are encouraged where possible.

5.9.3.2 Climate Change Land use changes can and will have far-reaching implications for climate change that could include changes to commuter patterns with the building of further housing developments and the resultant increase in GHGs, SO2, NOx, VOC and other pollutant emissions.

5.10 Material Assets 5.10.1 Introduction Material assets can be defined as the critical infrastructure essential for the functioning of society such as: electricity generation and distribution; water supply; wastewater treatment; and transportation. Whilst this infrastructure is essential its usage can lead both directly and indirectly to adverse environmental impacts. This section will discuss the following:

1. Transportation (road and rail) 2. Waste Management 3. Water Supplies 4. Wastewater Treatment Infrastructure 5. Energy

7 National Climate Change Strategy 2007-2012, Page 7 8 www.epa.ie

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 59 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Environmental Baseline of the Plan Area

5.10.2 Transportation County Meath is strategically placed within the Greater Dublin Area between the cities of Dublin and Belfast. As a result the County is well served by a high quality Motorway, National, Regional and local road network (refer Figure 13).

Meath is served by the rail network with the Dublin to Belfast line crossing the County, with stations at Gormanston, Laytown (and Drogheda). Iarnród Éireann operates frequent Inter- City and regular services on this line. Other train services serving the county to Dublin are available at Enfield, Maynooth, Clonsilla, Hansfield, and Balbriggan.

The first phase of the proposed railway linking Dublin to Navan opened in September 2010. The proposed phase 2 extension of the Dublin-Navan rail line will consist of circa 34km of railway line from Dunboyne. Stations will be located at Dunshaughlin, Kilmessan, Navan town centre and a further station on the northern edge of Navan.

Meath is also easily accessible by regular bus service to and from Dublin.

The County Development Plan promotes the improvement of cycling and walking routes. Policy guidance documents such as ‘Smarter Travel – A New Transport Policy for Ireland (2009-2020)’ and the ‘National Cycle Policy Framework (2009-2020)’ have clearly placed an emphasis on walking and cycling as alternatives to vehicular transport.

5.10.3 Waste Management The Local Authorities of Meath, Louth, Cavan and Monaghan form the North East region with respect to Waste Management Planning. The current Waste Management Plan for the region is the replacement North East Regional Waste Management Plan 2005 – 2010. The objective of the Waste Management Plan is to develop a sustainable approach to managing resources, by minimising the waste that is generated in a safe and environmentally sound manner and disposing of wastes in accordance with current National and EU waste legislation and policies.

5.10.4 Water Supply Meath County Council currently puts approximately 45,000 m3 of potable water into supply each day through 20 main water supply schemes and a watermain distribution network totalling approximately 1,800km. Water for Dunboyne, Clonee and Kilcloon is imported from Fingal County Council, the Meath environs of Drogheda, Meath’s coastal villages, Duleek, Stamullen and Kentstown are primarily served by an import from Louth County Council and there are small water imports from Kildare, Cavan and Westmeath.

There are a number of water supply resources in Meath made up of river abstraction, lake abstraction and boreholes. Details regarding abstraction points are set out within the Eastern Regional Basin District Characterisation Report. Public Water Supplies obtained from surface water abstraction are located at:

• the River Boyne at Roughgrange which services Drogheda; • the River Boyne at Scurloughstown which services Trim; • the River Blackwater at Liscartan, and; • Lough Bane. Water Supplies obtained from ground water abstraction include:

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 60 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Environmental Baseline of the Plan Area

• Athboy; Ballivor; Castletown; Clonard; Dunshaughlin; East Meath Curragh borehole; Enfield; Kilmainhamwood; Kilmessan; Longwood; Moynalty; Nobber; Slane; and Summerhill. Figure 14 identifies the Water Treatment Plants within the county.

The County Meath Groundwater Protection Scheme provides a detailed baseline with regard to aquifer potential and vulnerability.

An “Assessment of Needs for Water Services Capital Works” has been prepared by Meath Local Authority and contains a ranked list of 31 Water Services Capital Works Projects totaling an estimated cost of €281.2 million which have been identified as requiring substantial investment in the short to medium term, for the purpose of addressing existing serious infrastructural deficiencies.

Irish Water, the new national public utility, is to acquire statutory responsibility for water services, ownership of assets, operations and capital investment from 2014. Any water supply scheme required to meet the anticipated water requirements to serve this area will be subject to SEA and AA, as required.

5.10.5 Waste Water The County is served by over 40 wastewater treatment plants, the majority of which are located within the County borders (refer Figure 15). However, the eastern side of the County relies on facilities that are outside the jurisdiction of Meath County Council. Wastewater from Ashbourne, Ratoath, Kilbride, Dunboyne and Clonee is discharged into the Dublin network where it is treated at Ringsend. In general there is limited capacity in most of the waste water schemes in the County for significant further development, when existing demands together with permitted developments have been connected.

Some of the key points in relation to wastewater treatment are:

• The largest waste water treatment plants (WWTPs) are located at Navan, Trim, Dunshaughlin (Regional) and Kells. • The largest municipal wastewater treatment plant in County Meath is located at Ferganstown and serves the town of Navan and its environs. The plant has an EPA licensed capacity of 50,000pe and was designed to accommodate expansion to 60,000pe if the need arises. • The wastewater from Julianstown, Laytown, Bettystown, Mornington and Donacarney discharges to the Drogheda Borough Council waste water treatment works (WWTW) at Marsh Road for treatment. There is limited available capacity to facilitate significant further development in these areas. • The wastewater from Dunboyne, Clonee, Ashbourne and Ratoath discharges to the Fingal sewer network which subsequently discharges to the Ringsend WWTW for treatment. There are capacity constraints in the sewer networks conveying to Ringsend WWTW and also at the Ringsend WWTW. • The required upgrade to the foul sewer system for Dunboyne is dependent on the upgrade to the Ringsend Treatment Plant.

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 61 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Environmental Baseline of the Plan Area

There are 21 agglomerations within Meath with greater than 500 population equivalent (p.e.). One of these agglomerations had no treatment or only basic treatment. There were six agglomerations within the County with secondary treatment that failed EPA standards/guidance values.

5.10.6 Existing Environmental Issues

5.10.6.1 Transport The 2011 Census results show that the residents of County Meath rely heavily on the use of private cars for transport. Travel patterns show that a high proportion of residents commute long distances by car to school, work, mostly to Dublin. The area is therefore dependent on an efficient and adequate connection to the primary road network. As such, the maintenance and upgrade of the existing road network and where necessary, the provision of new road networks or realignments of existing roads are essential to ensure that the road network and its carrying capacity are maintained to a high standard. Additionally the accessibility of local routes and connections are maintained.

It is important that the balance is sought between public and private transport modes, for instance the integration of park and ride facilities with public transport provisions. In addition lands planned for future public transport requirements should be protected from inappropriate development.

There is a need to improve cycling and pedestrian facilities to provide for the sustainable development of the area. Increasing movements within the area in this regard should be a priority.

5.10.6.2 Water Supply The Stalleen Water Treatment Works is nearing capacity. Meath County Council has acknowledged that the current water supply situation places a constraint on additional large-scale development in the environs of Drogheda.

Dunboyne and Clonee are supplied via imports to Co. Meath from Fingal County Council. Hence, there is a limited amount of spare capacity. Therefore, in the meantime, water supply is a constraint to substantial further development.

5.10.6.3 Wastewater As highlighted there is insufficient wastewater treatment infrastructure in the County to serve the existing and future population. Therefore, there is a need to provide additional wastewater treatment infrastructure/capacity

The status of both water supply and waste water disposal infrastructure are currently significant constraints to development in County Meath. The water bodies within the County are suffering environmental damage from inadequacy in the capacity of both private and Local Authority systems and the assimilative capacity of receiving waters. This is affecting river and estuarine water quality, ground water, and seawater.

Urban runoff is the surface runoff of rainwater caused by urbanisation. The pollution potential of the surface water run-off is becoming increasingly of concern particularly its cumulative impact over entire catchment areas. Any increase in impervious surfaces such as roads, car parks, and roofed areas will increase the amount of runoff accumulated during

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 62 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Environmental Baseline of the Plan Area precipitation events, and in turn decrease the level of waters percolating naturally through the soil.

5.11 Cultural Heritage 5.11.1 Introduction Within County Meath there is an abundance of monuments, groups of buildings and sites of extreme importance in cultural heritage terms. Figure 16 highlights some of the most important sites within the County. These heritage sites are significant both in their number and their importance, on both a national and an international level. The County contains some of the country’s most important heritage sites including the Brú na Bóinne UNESCO World Heritage site and the Hill of Tara. In addition to the intrinsic value of the cultural heritage of Meath, the County also benefits economically through the tourism value of these sites and their ability to attract visitors. Within this great variety of building types and uses are structures of architectural heritage significance and distinctive character that are deemed worthy of protection.

5.11.2 Archaeological Heritage The archaeological heritage of an area includes structures, constructions, groups of buildings, developed sites, moveable objects, monuments of other types as well as their context, whether situated on or under land or water.

The Record of Monuments and Places (RMP) identifies a large number of protected sites within the settlements that are subject to Variation No. 2. The majority of the settlements subject to Variation No. 2 contain RMP sites.

The archaeological complex of Brú na Bóinne covers an area of 780 hectares and comprises many exceptional archaeological features, notably its megalithic art, the large and varied grouping of monuments and evidence of continuous settlement and activity in the area for some 7,000 years. There are 93 Recorded Monuments within the boundary of the Brú na Bóinne. The best known of the sites within the Brú na Bóinne are the megalithic tombs of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth. The complex has been designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and is described by UNESCO as ‘Europe’s largest and most important concentration of prehistoric megalithic art.’ A buffer area of 2,560ha was recommended around the complex by UNESCO and the State is legally obliged to protect the area to the highest international standards.

Donore Village lies within the buffer zone around the World Heritage Site of Brú na Bóinne.

5.11.3 Architectural Heritage The Record of Protected Structures for County Meath includes structures within almost all of the settlements contained within Variation No. 2. These are shown on the zoning maps for the settlements.

The National Inventory of Architectural Heritage carried out a survey of Meath in 2002. It lists the structures of interest to be found throughout the County, both protected structures and examples of vernacular traditions. These structures include Castles, Gate lodges, Follies, Farmhouses and Cottages which can be found throughout the countryside, while the heritage towns of Meath, Kells and Slane contain many fine period buildings.

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County Meath possesses a range of planned demesne landscapes which are often closely related to neighbouring settlements. Some of these include Slane, Carton Demesne (Maynooth), Ballygarth (Julianstown) and Summerhill.

Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs) are included within the Development Plan affords greater control over the form of development and reduces instances of inappropriate development, demolition and change within the designated area. There are 21 Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs) within County Meath of the following are located adjacent to or within settlements subject of Variation No. 2:

• Athboy, Dunboyne, Julianstown, Kilmessan, Longwood, Moynalty, Oldcastle, Slane, Slane Castle Demesne, Slane Mill Complex, Summerhill. Figure 16 identifies the National Monuments, Brú na Bóinne World Heritage Site and the Architectural Conservation Areas within County Meath.

5.11.4 Existing Environmental Issues Cultural Heritage, including all its various elements, represents a finite resource, one which must be protected in order to enrich future generations. Thus, development which is deemed to adversely impact on structures, features, historical areas etc. must not be permitted. A proactive approach needs to be maintained by the Local Authority, working in conjunction with the various state agencies and departments as well as stakeholders to ensure the ongoing protection of this element of the environment.

Currently, the most immediate threat to the cultural heritage is development pressure which can lead to a loss or impairment of a feature of importance. Furthermore, it is recognized that heritage has an economic value particularly in terms of tourism. However unsustainable tourism must be avoided and care taken to ensure a balance is achieved between potential economic gain and the preservation of the structures / sites of interest.

The Brú na Bóinne area is extremely sensitive to all types of new development, particularly housing, large agricultural structures, extractive industries, commercial afforestation and masts or other tall structures which impinge from outside the visual envelope along the valley. There are a large number of views and prospects that are sensitive to inappropriate forms of development.

5.12 Landscape 5.12.1 Introduction Meath has a high quality landscape of notable cultural and historical significance. This rich landscape has been subject to significant human influence over time. Furthermore the natural diversity of the landscapes of the county coupled with cultural features such as the archaeological monuments, stonewalls, hedgerows, woodlands, field patterns, settlements and buildings has given the county its distinctive character.

There is a wealth of built heritage within the County with significant townscape quality. While the heritage towns of Navan, Kells and Trim are not part of the Variation No. 2, settlements such as Slane, Oldcastle and Rathcairn represent different aspects of planned and culturally significant landscapes.

A Landscape Character Assessment was prepared as part of the Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019. The assessment identified 20 areas of geographically specific landscape

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 64 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Environmental Baseline of the Plan Area character or Landscape Character Areas (LCA). Figure 17 identifies Landscape Character Areas and Sensitivities.

The various definition of landscape acknowledges the interaction between people and nature and the changing nature of landscape. The concepts of protecting the significant features of landscape while managing change within landscape are considered to be a key element for the county development plan.

5.12.2 Views and Prospects In addition to the Landscape Character Areas and Types a number of views and prospects are of value and worthy of continued protection from inappropriate development either in nature or scale. A fully revised and updated listed of over 94 Protected Views and Prospects is provided in Appendix 12 of the County Development Plan 2013 - 2019.

5.12.3 Existing Environmental Issues The Landscape Character Assessment for Meath identifies the unprecedented population growth experienced in the County as a threat to its landscapes and historic settlement structure. Modern unsympathetic development is also a threat to the landscape quality.

Urban areas particularly within commuting distance of the capital have grown rapidly which has eroded the essential character of these towns. Generally the volume of large development within these towns is not in keeping with their character or scale and has created a series of autonomous developments with no reference to their rural setting. Also many settlements have grown at a rate that the historic centres have become detached from the majority of their populations and the relationship between urban areas and landscape setting has been largely lost.

Given the significance of the coastal landscape within the plan area development must be considered in terms of its potential impact on landscape and views.

5.13 Interactions The environment is both complex and dynamic and the various elements of the environment interact in an equally complex and dynamic manner. The permutations can be numerous; however at a simplistic level the principal interactions can be either qualified or quantified in most instances.

These interactions can be either benign or unfavourable; can be either proportionate or synergistic; can be short lived or permanent. In addition an event, an individual action or an ongoing activity can have an effect on one or more aspects of the environment. This effect may differ in magnitude, type and duration across several different aspects of the environment.

For example the potential exists for discharges of treated effluent from wastewater plants to surface water systems to impact negatively on water quality. Similarly the use of septic tanks can impact negatively on the quality of ground water resources if working inefficiently or inappropriately sited. This report has attempted to deal with the issues at a ‘root’ level thereby diminishing the necessity to discuss further the possible and numerous interactions between the various environmental receptors.

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 65 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Environmental Baseline of the Plan Area

This environmental report has approached each of the environmental receptors on an individual basis though it is fully cognisant of the relationship between the various elements. The report has therefore attempted to present the data in such a way as to indicate fully the potential for impacts on other aspects of the environment where they may occur or indeed are likely to occur.

To highlight the extent of the relationship between the various elements of the environment the matrix presented in Table 5.4 provides an indication of the interactions present between environmental receptors.

The significant aspect of the matrix (Table 5.4) is the relationship between human beings and all aspects of the environment. There are three simple conclusions to be drawn from the matrix; people benefit most from a high quality environment; people are collectively responsible for the adverse impacts that can occur; and people are most seriously affected by deterioration in environmental quality.

Is this aspect of the environment likely to interact with other aspects of the environment?

ity of aste - -

Water W Energy

- - -

Qual

Flora and Surface and -

- - Life Noise Fauna Ground Supplies Flooding Air Quality Management Transportation Soil and Geology Material Assets Material Assets Cultural Heritage Biodiversity Wastewater Treatment Material Assets Material Assets Material Assets Human Beings Water Quality Landscape and Visual Issues

Human Beings -

Population Biodiversity - Flora

and Fauna Soil and Geology

Water Quality -

Surface and Ground Flooding

Landscape and

Visual Issues Material Assets - Wastewater Treatment Material Assets -

Water Supplies Material Assets -

Transportation Material Assets -

Waste Management Material Assets -

Energy Cultural Heritage

Air Quality

Is this aspect of the environment likely to interact with other aspects environment? Noise

Table 5.4 Environmental Interactions

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 66 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Strategic Environmental Objectives Targets and Indicators

6.0 STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL OBJECTIVES TARGETS AND INDICATORS

6.1 Introduction

The primary objective of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is to provide for a high level of environmental protection and to contribute to the integration of environmental considerations into the preparation and adoption of Variation No. 2 of Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019.

Strategic Environmental Objectives (SEOs) were developed for the SEA of the making of the new County Development Plan 2013-2019 (as adopted January 2013).

Following statutory consultations (See Section 3.4 Statutory Consultation of this report), amendments have been incorporated into the SEOs as set out in Table 6.1. These updated SEOs have been used in the assessment of Variation No. 2 as set out in Section 7 of this report.

Note: In the following table (Table 6.1) Additions are in Red Text Deletions are in Blue Strikethrough Text

Environmental Ref: Objective Parameter Conserve and where possible enhance the diversity of Biodiversity B1 designated and non-designated habitats and protected species avoiding irreversible losses Promote measures to protect biodiversity by creating and B2 improving habitats, where possible Provide opportunities for sustainable public access to wildlife B3 and wild places Provide for protection of internationally and nationally designated sites, including Natura 2000 Sites (i.e. Special B3 Areas of Conservation (SACs) & Special Protection Areas (SPAs)) and Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs) & proposed Natural Heritage Areas (pNHAs). Avoid damage by development to designated wildlife sites B4 and protected species, and associated ecological corridors/ linkages

Improve people's quality of life based on high-quality Population P1 residential, working and recreational environments and on sustainable travel patterns Provide opportunities for sustainable public access to wildlife P2 and wild places at appropriate locations

Minimise noise, vibration and emissions from traffic, Human Health H1 industrial processes and extractive industry

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 67 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Environmental Baseline of the Plan Area

Environmental Ref: Objective Parameter Soil S1 Maintain the quality of soils Maximise the sustainable re-use of brownfield lands, and S2 maximise and prioritise the use of the existing built environment rather than developing greenfield lands Minimise the consumption of non-renewable sand, gravel and S3 rock deposits S4 Minimise the amount of waste to landfill

Protect and enhance the status of aquatic ecosystems and, Water W1 with regard to their water needs, terrestrial ecosystems and wetlands directly depending on the aquatic ecosystems Promote sustainable water use based on a long-term W2 protection of available water resources Reduce progressively discharges of polluting substances to W3 waters Mitigate the effects of floods and droughts including W4 vulnerability to climate change. (extreme weather, sea level rise, coastal erosion)

Air A1 Reduce all forms of air pollution Minimise emissions of greenhouse gases to contribute to a A2 reduction and avoidance of human-induced global climate change Reduce waste of energy, and maximise use of renewable A3 energy sources Assess, plan and manage adaptation to climate change A4 impacts A5 Reduce the need to travel

Material MA1 Maximise use of the existing built environment Assets Avoid flood risk and/or coastal erosion in selecting sites and MA2 zoning of lands for development Maintain water abstraction, run-off and recharge within MA3 carrying capacity (including future capacity) at environmentally sustainable levels. Maintain the quality of and access to assets such as aquifers, MA4 aggregates, ports, motorways, and all physical and social infrastructures.

Cultural Promote the protection and conservation of the cultural, CH1 Heritage including architectural and archaeological, heritage

Conserve and enhance valued natural and historic landscapes Landscape L1 and their character and features within them Table 6.1: Strategic Environmental Objectives (with incorporated proposed Amendments)

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 68 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Alternatives

7.0 ALTERNATIVES

7.1 Introduction The issue of alternatives is a critical function of the SEA process and is necessary to evaluate the likely environmental consequences of a range of alternative development strategies for the settlements within the constraints imposed by environmental conditions. The alternatives were considered at an early stage of the process and after an iterative process with the Variation, SEA and AA teams, the most appropriate scenario was selected.

7.2 Legislative context Article 5 of the SEA Directive requires the consideration of reasonable alternatives taking into account the objectives and the geographical scope of the plan or programme and the significant environmental effects of the alternatives proposed. It states under Article 5(1) that: Where an environmental assessment is required under Article 3(1), an environmental report shall be prepared in which the likely significant effects on the environment of implementing the plan or programme, and reasonable alternatives taking into account the objectives and the geographical scope of the plan or programme, are identified, described and evaluated. The information to be given for this purpose is referred to in Annex I.

In accordance with SEA guidelines the alternatives put forward should be reasonable, realistic and capable of implementation. They should also be in line with the appropriate strategic level at which the Plan (Variation) will be implemented within the national and county planning hierarchy. Variation No. 2 to the Meath County Development Plan 2013‐2019 is framed within a policy context set by a hierarchy of National, Regional and County level strategic plans as well as the Irish and European legislative framework. The Variation is guided, and particularly influenced by, the Core Strategy of the Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019 and therefore, the options for alternatives are limited, and a scenario such as the ‘do‐nothing’ situation has not been included as it is neither reasonable nor realistic.

The alternatives proposed have been assessed against the relevant Strategic Environmental Objectives (SEOs) established for the key aspects of the environment likely to be affected by the Variation’s implementation. The evaluation process resulted in the identification of potential impacts and informed the selection of the preferred development scenario for the Variation.

7.3 Methodology for the Selection of Alternatives Variation No. 2 is based on the principles of sustainable development which means that development will be promoted in accordance with the appropriate international, national, regional and county guidelines.

Particular reference is drawn to the Core Strategy of the Meath County Development Plan which must be complied with. The Core Strategy allocates stated numbers of residential

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 69 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Alternatives units to be developed within each settlement in the county over its lifespan for the years 2013 – 2019 based on their designation within the County Settlement Hierarchy.

7.3.1 Meath County Council Criteria for Phase 1 Residential Zoning The primary intention of Variation No. 2 is to re-establish consistency between the core strategy of the Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019 and the extent and phasing of zoning within the settlements in County Meath. This will ensure that each settlement within the county will have sufficient land available for development to enable it to contribute to the growth of the county, in a way that is appropriate to its place in the settlement hierarchy.

7.3.1.1 Alternative A – Balanced Criteria Under this option, sites identified for Residential Development within Phase 1 are selected on the basis of the following criteria:

• Sites identified within the SFRA as being located within Flood Zone C. • Sites greater than 0.5 hectares in extent • All sites with the benefit of an extant residential planning permission

For the smaller development centres corresponding with Villages in the Settlement Hierarchy, a sequential approach from the defined village centre is used to identify the most suitable sites for release as part of Phase I Residential.

For the larger development centres which correspond with Small Towns and Moderate Sustainable Growth Towns, a more detailed assessment is carried out. The following criteria are broadly used to determine the ranking of specific sites identified for residential development or a mix of development which includes residential in these larger centres.

• Proximity to the Town Centre; • Regeneration / Renewal of residential areas; • Environmental Constraints; • Physical Suitability – topography; • Availability of Public Transport;

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 70 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Alternatives

• Availability of community and social infrastructure facilities with particular regard to the proximity to national and secondary school facilities; • The need to provide new roads infrastructure to facilitate development. • Infill opportunities.

Sites were rated based on the above factors and ranked in order of preference for zoning to residential use.

The densities considered appropriate was based on the criteria set out in Section 11.2.1 of the Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019. This specifies higher densities in Large Growth Towns, Moderate Sustainable Growth Towns and Small Towns (in excess of 35 net residential units per hectare, where possible). In general, in the county’s smaller towns and villages, densities and house types shall be compatible with established densities and housing character in the area.

This option would be likely to have a number of relevant effects on the environment

• balancing development across County Meath in line with the settlement hierarchy • encouraging a compact form of development within each settlement • encouraging development in proximity to town centres, community facilities and public transport • discouraging development from areas of ecological sensitivity • discouraging residential development from areas at risk of flooding

7.3.1.2 Alternative B – Higher Density of Residential Development in each Settlement Using a higher proposed density of development within each settlement, the Meath County Council Settlement Strategy population targets could be achieved on a smaller extent of residentially zoned land. This could have a number of relevant environmental effects that differ from the approach set out in Alternative A:

• A lower extent of residentially zoned land would require a smaller extent of greenfield land for housing, reducing the footprint of each settlement with benefits for natural heritage. • Encouraging higher populations close to the cores of each settlement, potentially increasing the number of people who can reach local services by sustainable modes. • Higher density within settlements could have negative impacts on the townscape of the settlement, protected structures, recorded monuments and increase pressure on natural heritage assets. • The rural nature of many of the settlements has resulted in densities that are on average substantially lower than those proposed in the county development plan. Higher densities could have a significant effect on the character of the settlement.

7.3.1.3 Alternative C – Maintenance of Existing Density levels within Settlements An alternative approach to the development of the settlements would be the maintenance of their existing residential density. Under this option the Meath County Council Settlement Strategy population targets could only be achieved with a larger extent of residentially zoned land than proposed in Phase I under Alternative A. This could have a number of relevant environmental effects that differ from the approach set out in Alternative A:

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 71 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Alternatives

• This would require additional lands from that identified in Phase I. However, given the existing level of zoned lands it may be deliverable within the current identified zoned extents. This would require a larger development footprint than the options above. • The development of the centres, particularly the smaller settlements would grow with a density more in keeping with current patterns, which could reduce the impact on the character of the settlements. • The larger footprint of development would increase the distance required to travel to local facilities. • Lower density within settlements and the increased land take required would put pressure on the natural environment and increase the cost of provision of services

7.3.1.4 Alternative D – Stronger weighting on Town Centre Sites Stronger weighting on Town Centre Sites would apply the criteria used for site selection in Alternative A above, but would include and place a higher weighting on town centre zoned sites. This would have the effect of reducing the extent of residential zoning required in Phase I. This approach would provide a greater encouragement to the delivery of development in the core of the settlement and not solely on the residentially zoned lands located in its proximity.

This would have a number of likely environmental effects that differ from the approach set out in Alternative A:

• A lower extent of residentially zoned land would require a smaller extent of greenfield land for housing, reducing the footprint of each settlement with benefits for natural heritage. • Encouraging higher populations into the cores of each settlement, potentially increasing the number of people who can reach local services by sustainable modes. • Encouraging the reinstatement of existing protected and vernacular architecture in the settlements with benefits for the long-term use of structures of architectural interest. • Higher density within settlements could have negative impacts on the townscape of the settlement, protected structures, recorded monuments and increase pressure on natural heritage assets. This would be more pronounced than under Alternative A. • Transportation impacts would need to be managed to ensure that existing road networks are adequate to manage the increased populations and its traffic movements.

7.3.1.5 Assessment of Alternatives The review of zoned lands carried out by Meath County Council corresponds to Alternative A as set out above. This review assessed the suitability of the particular sites in each settlement to deliver the scale of development required in the Core Strategy, on the basis of criteria that closely reflect the Strategic Environmental Objectives. For this reason, it is considered that the assessment has broadly delivered an appropriate balance and selection of sites, taking into account the constraints imposed in the development plan such as flood risk and the requirement to maintain zoning on sites with extant planning permissions.

The remaining alternatives reviewed represent choices that are available to the planning authority in delivering the same balance of residential growth across the county.

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 72 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Alternatives

Variation No. 2 represents an appropriate balance between the competing environmental objectives.

The assessment of sites undertaken by Meath County Council, as set out in Alternative A above and as carried out as part of the preparation process for Variation No. 2, has been reviewed by Brady Shipman Martin from a Strategic Environmental Assessment perspective to ensure that the identified environmental factors are in agreement with the findings. Each of the identified sites proposed for zoning were assessed on the basis of environmental criteria of the SEA Environmental Objectives as set out in Chapter 8 of this Environmental Report in order to identify any potential negative environmental effects in relation to these sites.

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 73 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Strategic Environmental Assessment of Variation No. 2

8.0 STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF VARIATION NO. 2

8.1 Introduction The Introduction to Variation No. 2 sets the goals for the settlement plans carried forward into the Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019.

Each written statement and detailed policy framework / land use zoning objectives seeks to achieve the following:

3. To address the issue of vacancy in the towns and villages by encouraging new uses into vacant properties in preference to new developments;

5. To encourage the use or redevelopment of above ground floor stories of buildings for appropriate uses in town and village centres.

The purpose of this section of the Environmental Report is to highlight the potential conflicts, if any, between the stated policies and objectives contained in Variation No. 2 with the Strategic Environmental Objectives. Furthermore, the assessment examines the potential impact arising from the implementation of the policies and objectives of the variation on sensitive environmental receptors.

The process of SEA and plan-making formulation is an iterative one and as such environmental considerations have informed all stages of plan preparation carried out to date in order for the potential for significant adverse effects arising from implementation of the plan to be minimised. Nonetheless, it is possible that some individual plan objectives or policies will create such effects. Where the environmental assessment identifies significant adverse effects, consideration is given in the first instance to preventing such impacts; where this is not possible for stated reasons, to lessening or offsetting those effects through mitigation measures outlined in Chapter 9 of this Environmental Report.

In some instances there is little or no relationship between the various Variation No. 2 Policies / Objectives and the respective environmental receptor. Where this occurs no further discussion is deemed necessary. This has been determined through an initial

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 74 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Strategic Environmental Assessment of Variation No. 2

screening of the variation’s policies and objectives which ascertains if policies are likely to have a positive, negative or neutral impact on the environment. This screening process allows the assessment to focus more efficiently on the pertinent issues. The assessment matrices are provided indicating where the screening process has in the first instance identified an impact which may potentially arise due to the implementation of policy/objective contained within Variation No. 2. Similarly where a conflict exists between a Strategic Environmental Objective and a Policy/Objective this is noted and discussed.

This initial stage aims to ascertain the quality, if any, of the potential impact. Each of the variation’s policies and objectives have been screened for their impact and where a neutral impact is noted no further discussion is provided within this report. This format allows for the ER to focus on the positive and negative impacts and proceed to a discussion on their significance and duration. Thus it is a more robust, more focused approach to understanding the potential impacts associated with the variation.

8.2 Environmental Assessment The preliminary phase of this assessment identifies the quality of the potential short, medium and long-term impact on the environment as a result of the policies and objectives of Variation No. 2. Table 8.1 highlights where the impact may be either potentially positive (green); neutral (white); potentially negative (yellow); or uncertain (blue). Where a neutral impact is identified no further discussion is deemed necessary. However, it is acknowledged that localised issues may arise depending on site specific issues and the type of development proposed. The assessment contained herein deals with strategic issues alone, for potential localised impacts the Mitigation section contained in Chapter 9 should be consulted.

It has been determined that there are a number of policies/objectives where the impact is potentially negative. The significant issues are discussed in the following sections. A comprehensive and detailed set of mitigation measures are provided in Chapter 9 which effectively reduces or eliminates identified negative impacts. Similarly, monitoring the implementation of the plan, as discussed in Chapter 10, will ensure that if any negative impact becomes a reality it will be identified at an early stage and appropriate actions taken by the relevant authority/agency to remedy the situation.

In general terms, Variation No. 2 in its current form will have a positive effect on the environment as a whole.

8.3 Human Beings The purpose of Variation No. 2 in broad terms is to promote, manage and control development within the identified settlements over the lifetime of the plan in order to achieve a balance between social, economic and environmental considerations thereby benefitting the residents of the area both now and in the future. The initial screening aspect of the assessment presented in Table 8.1 indicates that Variation No. 2 will impact positively on the area’s residents. However, the assessment of the Variation’s implementation on other receptors fully considers the consequences of its implementation on Human Beings. For instance where an aspect of the environment relates to or overlaps with the broad issue of human health such as air quality or water quality, this aspect of ‘human health’ is addressed under that topic.

The potential impacts for Population and Human Health are predominantly positive as it is

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 75 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Strategic Environmental Assessment of Variation No. 2

proposed to consolidate settlements, improve social and community facilities and integrate land use and transport.

8.4 Soil and Geology The assessment reveals that the majority of policies and objectives are neutral on Soils & Geology. The overall reduction in lands zoned for development within the lifetime of the plan within the plan area reduces the requirement of development on greenfield sites thus protecting potentially valuable agricultural resource. The implementation of these strategic objectives will contribute a positive impact on the soil and geology element of the environment.

8.5 Biodiversity County Meath is a highly sensitive environment for flora and fauna. As such the assessment has raised a significant number of potential negatives and uncertainties as a result of the policies and objectives contained within the plan.

The primary concerns relate to the interaction between tourism and amenity proposals, transport objectives, potential flood risks and green infrastructure proposals and the protection of designated sites. Many of these are screened as uncertain at this stage and would be subject to detailed environmental assessment during the planning process. The potential interactions are dealt with in more detail in the accompanying Natura Impact Report.

Variation No. 2 policies give considerable protection to designated natural heritage sites. Specific mitigation incorporating a new policy in the Meath County Development Plan is proposed to give stronger support for the natural environment outside designated sites. Details on this proposal are set out in Chapter 9.

8.6 Water Quality The screening assessment identified uncertain impacts on water quality (water, groundwater, surface water and flooding) due to the implementation of the variation’s policies. This primarily relates to the constraints on water supply experienced by the majority of settlements. However, protective policies already set out in the county development plan, which require development to be subject to there being necessary infrastructure in place to accommodate the development, mitigate this impact and would therefore result in a positive impact on the waters within the county area.

In order to ensure both public health and environmental protection, it is essential that any new dwelling is served by drainage arrangements that meet the Council’s requirements and standards. Therefore, the proposed policies are encouraged as they are likely to have positive impacts on the water environment of the plan area.

The impact on flooding is positive or neutral as it is proposed that a comprehensive risk- based planning approach to flood management to prevent or minimise future flood risk be implemented. The avoidance of development in areas where flood risk has been identified will be the primary response. Proposals for mitigation and management of flood risk will only be considered where avoidance is not possible and where development can be clearly justified with the justification test outlined in the “Planning System and Flood Risk Management – Guidelines for Planning Authorities”.

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 76 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Strategic Environmental Assessment of Variation No. 2

Having regard to the approach to flood risk set out in the Guidelines and the extent of the areas shown to be at risk in the SFRA mapping for settlement areas, a number of areas which were zoned for development in the current Local Area Plans are no longer zoned to accommodate Residential and Enterprise development in Phase 1. This does not alter the validity of any existing planning permissions on these lands but will be a material consideration in the assessment of any future planning applications.

Development Plan Justification Tests were carried out on five sites as part of the SFRA process. As a result, development objectives have been retained for development within Phase I at locations identified as being at risk of flooding, at Athboy, Dunboyne, Kilcock, Maynooth Environs and Drogheda Southern Environs. Development proposals at these sites will be subject to the appropriate level of flood risk assessment in accordance with “Planning System and Flood Risk Management – Guidelines for Planning Authorities”.

8.7 Material Assets – Transport Broadly speaking the policies and objectives relevant to the Transport (Material Assets) aspect of the environment are positive and will assist in increasing the sustainable movement of people and goods throughout the County. The promotion of sustainable travel patterns through reduced requirement on cars and the increased provision of cycling and pedestrian routes will have positive impacts.

The consolidation of development within the towns and villages and the adoption of a sequential approach to development of those settlements will ensure the viability of transport infrastructure and provision of alternatives to the private car.

Implementation of the above polices and the supporting objectives regarding transport will in general have a positive or neutral impact and will have secondary positive impacts on climate change and air quality. There are a number of identified indirect uncertainties with regard to flooding and impact on biodiversity and landscape.

All proposed distributor roads alignments have been assessed as having uncertain impacts (rather than potential negative) as they have not been assessed as a project.

Potential negative impacts were identified at Athboy in respect of a proposal for Heavy Goods parking within the town, and at Duleek in respect of the proposed R150 bypass proposal, although these can be addressed by way of mitigation.

Potential negative impacts in respect of transport were identified at Maynooth Environs and Stamullen in respect of the scale of development and the connectivity to settlements, and at Pace in respect of the relationship of the proposed major retail centre and office based employment use with the location, size and role of the settlement. County development plan policies in respect of permitted enterprise uses will mitigate some of the potential transportation impacts. Monitoring measures as set out in Chapter 10 will assist in reducing the residual effects of these proposals.

8.8 Material Assets – Waste Water The screening assessment identified uncertain impacts on water quality (water, groundwater, surface water and flooding) due to the implementation of the policies in Variation No. 2. This primarily relates to the constraints on water supply and waste water

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 77 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Strategic Environmental Assessment of Variation No. 2

treatment experienced by the majority of settlements. However, protective policies already set out in the county development plan, which require development to be subject to necessary infrastructure in place to accommodate the development, mitigate this impact and would therefore result in a positive impact on the waters within the county area.

8.9 Noise In overall terms the policies and objectives of Variation No. 2 have been found likely to have a positive to neutral impact on this aspect of the environment. While implementation of policies and objectives contained in Variation No. 2 are likely to have a positive impact on noise, the potential exists for site specific impacts to occur as a result of development. This will be dependent on the nature and specifics of that development and where it will be located. Any potential negative impacts can be mitigated and dealt with on a site specific basis through the development management process.

8.10 Air Quality The potential impacts on Air Quality are positive or neutral as Variation No. 2 proposes to consolidate the towns.

Variation No. 2 aims to promote more sustainable modes of transport which will impact positively on air quality. It also promotes sustainable travel modes and seeks to reduce the requirements of long distance commuting to Dublin.

Variation No. 2 is committed to the promotion of sustainable means of travel, and the encouragement of modal change from the private car. The emphasis will be on achieving a situation where the county’s residents are within reasonable walking / cycling distance of local services and public transport. The strategy proposes the improvement of cycling and pedestrian infrastructure.

8.11 Climate Change The fundamental objective of fostering sustainability and reducing the levels of pollution and emissions caused through development is central to the formulation of the policies and objectives of Variation No. 2.

Thus the need to reduce the amount of energy generated as a result of transportation has been to the fore in the proposed transportation and settlement strategies pursued in the county.

Flooding is a natural phenomenon of the hydrological cycle which is predicted to increase as a result of ongoing climatic changes. An increase in rainfall intensity as a result of climate change could have severe consequences for flooding and in particular the severity of flood events.

County Meath is committed to pursuing sustainable energy policies in accordance with the White Paper, ‘Towards a Sustainable Energy Future for Ireland 2007-2020’. Improving energy efficiency is a key step in a sustainable energy policy. Energy efficiency is internationally recognised as the most cost-effective means of reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 78 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Strategic Environmental Assessment of Variation No. 2

8.12 Cultural Heritage In general, the policies and objectives contained within Variation No. 2 are positive to neutral for impacts on Cultural Heritage. However, the interaction between tourism objectives and cultural heritage within the settlements has indicated uncertain or potential negative impacts. Development (i.e. residential, commercial etc.) should be in keeping with the character of the settlement in question. This is considered vital to protecting the heritage of the plan area. Maintaining the quality of the urban environment is essential to protect this heritage.

Policies in Variation No. 2 give considerable protection to designated cultural heritage sites. Specific mitigation incorporating an amended policy in the Meath County Development Plan is proposed to give stronger support for the non-protected parts of the built environment. Details on this proposal are set out in Chapter 9.

Potential negative impacts were identified at Maynooth in respect of the objective to provide for enterprise development within the historic landscape at Carton House.

County development plan policies in respect of cultural heritage and development within historic demesne landscapes will mitigate some of the potential negative impacts. Monitoring measures as set out in Chapter 10 will assist in reducing the residual effects of this zoning objective.

8.13 Landscape The screening assessment identified a full spectrum of potential impacts on the landscape arising from the implementation of the policies and objectives of Variation No. 2 on this aspect of the environment.

As with Biodiversity and Cultural Heritage, potential negatives or uncertainties have been identified from the interaction between tourism and green infrastructure policies and objectives. These can generally be mitigated by references to county development plan policies relating to natural and cultural heritage as well as the urban design principles associated with each settlement.

8.14 Cumulative Impacts Variation No. 2 comprises a variation of the Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019 and was made in the context of the policy framework set out in Chapter 6 of this Environmental Report. The Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019 underwent full Strategic Environmental Assessment and no significant cumulative or in-combination effects were perceived other plans or policies as a result of its implementation. The cumulative impact of Variation No. 2 when taken with this policy framework, including any amended or additional plans or policies, has been fully considered within the assessment of the effects of the Variation on the environment. It is considered that there are no risk of significant cumulative or in-combination impacts as a result of the implementation of Variation 2 should the appropriate procedures and policies be adhered to.

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 79 Development Plan 2013-2019 Table 8.1 - Assessment of Policies and Objectives

Athboy

Town Plan Town Plan Comments / Mitigation Chapter Objective/Policy

Human Beings Soil and Geology Biodiversity Surface Water Groundwater Flooding Air Quality Climate Change Noise Landscape Cultural Heritage Energy Wastewater Water Transport Waste Management ProposedNew / Amended Policies and Objectives

Policies SP1 Strategic SP2 Policies SP3 CER POL 1 WS POL32 (FRA) and CH POL11 (RPS); FR POL 1-3, FR OBJ 1 amended CH POL 20 Commercial, CER POL 2 Economic & CER POL 3 Retail CER POL 4 CER POL 5 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 CF POL 1 CF POL 2 CF POL 3 (a) NH OBJ 2 new policy NH POL 26 (b) NH OBJ 2 new policy NH POL 26 Community ( c) Facilities and (d) Open Space (e) NH OBJ 2 new policy NH POL 26 (f) NH OBJ 2 CF POL 4 CF POL 5 CF POL 6 ACA POL 1 Athboy ACA ACA POL 2 amended CH POL 20 Water Quality WQ POL HER POL 1 HER POL 2 Heritage HER POL 3 CH POL 7; CH OBJ 7 (Archaeology/RMP) Amended CH POL20 HER POL 4 amended CH POL 20 MA POL 1 MA POL 2 MA POL 3 Movement and MA POL 4 Access MA POL 5 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 , PC POL 1 new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 MA POL 6 MA POL 7 CH POL11 amended CH POL 20 Water and Wastewater Services WWS POL Public Utilities PU POL EC POL 31 , ECPOL34 : siting of antennae etc LU POL 1 FR POL 1-3 CH POL11 amended CH POL 20 Land Use LU POL 2 CH POL11 amended CH POL 20 UD POL 1 Urban Design UD POL 2 UD POL 3 FR POL 1 Flood Risk FR POL 2 FR POL 3

Objectives Strategic SD OBJ Development CSOBJ 10 balance of settlements for employment Community Facilities and CF OBJ Open Space new policies NH POL 26 PC POL 2, amended CH POL 20 MA OBJ 1 amended CH POL 20 MA OBJ 2 MA OBJ 3 Movement and MA OBJ 4 Access MA OBJ 5 NH POL 26 PC POL 1, TRAN POL 32 new policies NH POL 26, PC POL 2, amended CH POL 20 MA OBJ 6 NH POL 26 PC POL 1, TRAN POL 32 new policies NH POL 26, PC POL 2, amended CH POL 20 MA OBJ 7 new policies NH POL 26, PC POL 2, amended CH POL 20 MA OBJ 8 new policies NH POL 26, PC POL 2, amended CH POL 20 HER OBJ 1 Heritage HER OBJ 2 Views & VP OBJ Prospects Flood Risk FR OBJ

Potential Positive Impact Potential Neutral Impact Potential Negative Impact Neutral / Uncertain Impact Uncertain Impact Table 8.1 - Assessment of Policies and Objectives Ballivor

Town Plan Town Plan Comments / Mitigation Chapter Objective/Policy

Policies SP1 Strategic SP2 Policies SP3 SP4 SS POL 2 CER POL 1 SS POL 2 CER POL 2 CH POL 11 amended CH POL 20 Commercial CER POL 3 Uses CER POL 4 SS POL 2 CER POL 5 CER POL 6 Water and Wastewater WWS POL Policies SS POL 2 MA POL 1 amended CH POL 20 Movement and MA POL 2 Access MA POL 3 new policies, NH POL 26 PC POL 2, amended CH POL 20 UD POL 1 UD POL 2 Urban Design UD POL 3 UD POL 4 CH POL 11 new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 Community CF POL 1 CH POL 11 new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 Facilities and CF POL 2 Open Spaces CF POL 3 new policies NH POL 26 PC POL 2, amended CH POL 20 HER POL 1 Heritage HER POL 2 Renaissance Community REN POL Plan CH POL11; CH OBJ 7; NH OBJ 2, new policies NH POL 26 PC POL 2, amended CH POL 20 FR POL 1 Flood Risk FR POL 2

Objectives CF OBJ 1 CF OBJ 2 Community CF OBJ 3 NH OBJ 2 new Policies NH POL 26 PC POL 2, amended CH POL 20 Facilities CF OBJ 4 CH POL 11, CH POL 12, amended CH POL 20 CF OBJ 5 MA OBJ 1 Movement and MA OBJ 2 new policies NH POL 26 PC POL 2, amended CH POL 20 Access MA OBJ 3 amended CH POL 20 MA OBJ 4 amended CH POL 20 HER OBJ 1 Heritage HER OBJ 2 HER OBJ 3

Potential Positive Impact Potential Neutral Impact Potential Negative Impact Neutral / Uncertain Impact Uncertain Impact Table 8.1 - Assessment of Policies and Objectives

Carlanstown

Town Plan Town Plan Comments / Mitigation Chapter Objective/Policy

Policies SP1 Strategic SP2 Policies SP3 SP4 Residential Development RD POL Commercial, CER POL 1 Economic & Retail CER POL 2 Table 4.2 of CDP sets suitable uses in employment lands

HER POL 1 Heritage HER POL 2 HER POL 3 NH OBJ 2 new policy NH POL 26

Community CF POL 1 FR POL 1-2 NH OBJ 2 new policy NH POL 26 Facilities and CF POL 2 CH POL 7 new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 Open Spaces CF POL 3 CH POL 11 new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20

Land Use LU POL Movement and MA POL 1 A Access MA POL 1 B CH POL 11 amended CH POL 20 Water and Wastewater Services WWS POL UD POL 1 Urban Design UD POL 2 UD POL 3 Renaissance Community REN POL Plan CH POL11; Amended CH POL20; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2, FR POL 1 Flood Risk FR POL 2

Objectives Commercial, Economic & Retail CER OBJ Table 4.2 of CDP for uses new policy PC POL 2 MA OBJ 1 - A Movement and MA OBJ 1 - B Access MA OBJ 1 - C NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 MA OBJ 2 HER OBJ 1 new policy NH POL 26 Map Based Objectives OPP SITE OBJ CH POL11 amended CH POL 20 MS OBJ - A CH POL 11 amended CH POL 20 MS OBJ - B CH POL 11 amended CH POL 20 MS OBJ - C amended CH POL 20 Main St MS OBJ - D Environmental Enhancement MS OBJ - E CH POL 11 amended CH POL 20 MS OBJ - F MS OBJ - G CH POL 11 amended CH POL 20 MS OBJ - H CH POL 11 amended CH POL 20 FPL OBJ - A CH POL 11 new policy PC POL2, amended CH POL 20 Footpath & FPL OBJ - B CH POL 11 new policy PC POL2, amended CH POL 20 Public Lighting FPL OBJ - C CH POL 11 new policy PC POL2, amended CH POL 20 Heritage HER OBJ Urban Design UD OBJ Community Facilities and Open Spaces CF OBJ WS POL 32 new policies PC POL2; NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20

Potential Positive Impact Potential Neutral Impact Potential Negative Impact Neutral / Uncertain Impact Uncertain Impact Table 8.1 - Assessment of Policies and Objectives Carnaross

Town Plan Town Plan Comments / Mitigation Chapter Objective/Policy

Policies SP1 Strategic SP2 CH POL 11; amended CH POL 20 Policies SP3 (i) SP3 (ii) VC POL 1 VC POL 2 CH POL 11, VC POL 11; amended CH POL 20 VC POL 3 CH POL 11, VC POL 11; amended CH POL 20 VC POL 4 VC POL 5 amended CH POL 20 VC POL 6 VC POL 7 CH POL 11, VC POL 11; amended CH POL 20 VC POL 8 CH POL 11, VC POL 11; amended CH POL 20 VC POL 9 New VC POL 10 SP2 amended CH POL 20 Residential VC POL 11 Area Village VC POL 12 SS OBJ 2, VC POL 11 amended CH POL 20 Core VC POL 13 SS OBJ 2, VC POL 11 amended CH POL 20 VC POL 14 SS OBJ 2, VC POL 11 amended CH POL 20 VC POL 15 VC POL 16 SS OBJ 2, VC POL 11 amended CH POL 20 VC POL 17 VC POL 11 VC POL 18 VC POL 19 VC POL 20 VC POL 21 VC POL 22 CM POL 1 CM POL 2 CM POL 3 Carnaross Mart CM POL 4 CM POL 5 CM POL 6 Commercial, Economic and Retail Uses CER POL Water and Wastewater Services WWS POL Community Facilities and Open Space CF POL CH POL 11 amended CH POL 20, amended CH POL 20 MA POL 1 Movement and MA POL 2 amended CH POL 20 Access MA POL 3 amended CH POL 20 MA POL 4 HER POL 1 HER POL 2 Heritage HER POL 3 HER POL 4 HER POL 5 Flood Risk FR POL 1 Urban Design UD POL 1

Objectives

MA OBJ 1 new policy PC POL 2, amended CH POL 20 MA OBJ 2 new policy PC POL 2, amended CH POL 20 Movement and MA OBJ 3 new policy PC POL 2, amended CH POL 20 Access MA OBJ 4 new policy PC POL 2, amended CH POL 20 MA OBJ 5 new policy PC POL 2, amended CH POL 20 MA OBJ 6 amended CH POL 20 Commercial, OBJ Economic and PMU Retail Uses OFC

Potential Positive Impact Neutral Impact Positive Negative Impact Neutral / Uncertain Impact Uncertain Impact Table 8.1 - Assessment of Policies and Objectives Clonard

Town Plan Town Plan Comments / Mitigation Chapter Objective/Policy

Policies SP1 Strategic SP2 Policies SP3 (i) WS POL 29-36, FR POL 1-3 SP3 (ii) Water and Wastewater Services WWS POL LU POL 1 CH POL 11; amended CH POL 20 Land Use LU POL 2 CH POL 11; amended CH POL 20 LU POL 3 Table 4.2 of CDP; amended CH POL 20 Commercial, Economic and Retail Uses CER POL amended CH POL 20 Community CF POL 1 Facilities and Open Spaces CF POL 2 CH POL 11; amended CH POL 20 Heritage HER POL Movement and Access MA POL new policy PC POL 2 Urban Design UD POL FR POL 1 Flood Risk FR POL 2 FR POL 3

Objectives

CF OBJ 1 CF OBJ 2 CF OBJ 3 new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 Community CF OBJ 4 Facilities and CF OBJ 5 CH POL11; amended CH POL 20 Open Spaces CF OBJ 6 new policy NH POL 26 CF OBJ 7 NH POL 2, NH OBJ 2, CH POL11; new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 CF OBJ 8 new policy NH POL 26 Heritage HER OBJ MA OBJ 1 amended CH POL 20 Movement and MA OBJ 2 Access MA OBJ 3 WS POL 29-36, FR POL 1-3 new policies NH POL 26 PC POL 2

Potential Positive Impact Neutral Impact Positive Negative Impact Neutral / Uncertain Impact Uncertain Impact Table 8.1 - Assessment of Policies and Objectives

Crossakiel

Town Plan Town Plan Comments / Mitigation Chapter Objective/Policy

Policies SP1 Strategic SP2 Policies SP3 (i) SP3 (ii) RD POL 1 Residential RD POL 2 Development RD POL 3 RD POL 4 LU POL 1 LU POL 2 Land Use LU POL 3 Table 4.2 of CDP sets suitable uses in employment lands - LU POL 4 LU POL 5 Table 4.2 of CDP sets suitable uses in employment lands - MA POL 1 MA POL 2 Movement and MA POL 3 Access MA POL 4 MA POL 5 HER POL 1 Heritage HER POL 2 HER POL 3 UD POL 1 UD POL 2 UD POL 3 UD POL 4 Urban Design UD POL 5 UD POL 6 US POL 7 UD POL 8 Water and Wastewater Services WWS POL Telecommunic ations TEL POL EC POL 31 , ECPOL34 Flood Risk FR POL

Objectives LU OBJ 1 LU OBJ 2 Land Use LU OBJ 3 LU OBJ 4 Table 4.2 of CDP amended CH POL 20 CF OBJ 1 Community CF OBJ 2 Facilities and CF OBJ 3 Open Space CF OBJ 4 MA OBJ 1 amended CH POL 20 MA OBJ 2 PC POL 2 MA OBJ 3 MA OBJ 4 Movement and MA OBJ 5 Access MA OBJ 6 amended CH POL 20, PC POL 2 MA OBJ 7 MA OBJ 8 MA OBJ 9 amended CH POL 20 HER OBJ 1 Heritage HER OBJ 2 HER OBJ 3 UD OBJ 1 UD OBJ 2 UD OBJ 3 Urban Design UD OBJ 4 CH POL11 amended CH POL 20 UD OBJ 5 UD OBJ 6 UD OBJ 7 Water and Wastewater Services WWS OBJ NH OBJ 2 new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20

Potential Positive Impact Neutral Impact Positive Negative Impact Neutral / Uncertain Impact Uncertain Impact Table 8.1 - Assessment of Policies and Objectives Donore

Town Plan Town Plan Comments / Mitigation Chapter Objective/Policy

Policies SP1 Strategic SP2 Policies SP3 (i) WS POL 1, 5, 6, SS OBJ 2 SP3 (ii) WS POL 1, 5, 6, SS OBJ 3 WHS POL 1 WHS POL 2 Brú Na Bóinne WHS POL 3 WHS POL 4 WHS POL 5 Residential Development RD POL CER POL 1 CER POL 2 Commercial, CER POL 3 Economic amd CER POL 4 Retail Uses CER POL 5 CER POL 6 Community CF POL 1 Donore UD POL 1, CDP CH POL 11; amended CH POL 20 Facilities and Open Spaces CF POL 2 Donore UD POL 1, CDP CH POL 11; amended CH POL 20 Greenbelt Buffer GB POL UD POL 1 new policy NH POL 26 UD POL 2 Donore UD POL 1, CDP CH POL 11; amended CH POL 20 UD POL 3 Donore UD POL 1, CDP CH POL 11; amended CH POL 20 Urban Design UD POL 4 UD POL 5 UD POL 6 Movement and Access MA POL Donore UD POL 1, CDP CH POL 11; amended CH POL 20 Water and Wastewater Services WWS POL WS POL 1, 5, 6, SS OBJ 2 HER POL 1 Heritage HER POL 2 HER POL 3 Flood Risk FR POL

Objectives MA OBJ 1 MA OBJ 2 Donore UD POL 1, CDP CH POL 11; amended CH POL 20 MA OBJ 3 a PC POL 2 MA OBJ 3 b PC POL 2 Movement and MA OBJ 4 Donore UD POL 1, CDP CH POL 11; amended CH POL 20 Access MA OBJ 5 MA OBJ 6 MA OBJ 7 MA OBJ 8 PC POL 2 Commercial, Economic and CER OBJ Retail Uses Community Facilities and CF OBJ Open Spaces HER OBJ 1 Heritage HER OBJ 2

Potential Positive Impact Neutral Impact Positive Negative Impact Neutral / Uncertain Impact Uncertain Impact Table 8.1 - Assessment of Policies and Objectives Drumconrath

Town Plan Town Plan Comments / Mitigation Chapter Objective/Policy

Policies SP1 Strategic SP2 amended CH POL 20 Policies SP3 i FR POL 1-2 WS POL 29-36 SP3 ii FR POL 1-2 WS POL 29-36 Residential Development RD POL amended CH POL 20 Movement and Access MA POL CH POL7, CH OBJ 7, CH POL 11; amended CH POL 20 Heritage HER POL UD POL 1 CH POL7, CH OBJ 7, CH POL 11; amended CH POL 20 Urban Design UD POL 2 amended CH POL 20 Water and Wastewater Services WWS POL Telecomms TEL POL EC POL 31 , ECPOL34 Renaissance Community REN POL Plan CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2, amended CH POL 20 FR POL 1 Flood Risk FR POL 2

Objectives

Land Use LU OBJ CH POL7, CH OBJ 7, CH POL 11; amended CH POL 20 Commercial, Economic and Retail Uses CER OBJ CH POL7, CH OBJ 7, CH POL 11; amended CH POL 20 Community Facilities and CF OBJ Open Spaces MA OBJ 1 FR POL 1-2 CH POL7, CH OBJ 7, CH POL 11; amended CH POL 20 Movement and MA OBJ 2 CH POL7, CH OBJ 7, CH POL 11; amended CH POL 20 Access MA OBJ 3 CH POL7, CH OBJ 7, CH POL 11; amended CH POL 20 HER OBJ 1 Heritage HER OBJ 2 NH POL 2, NH OBJ 2, CH POL7, WS POL 29-36 new policy NH POL 26, PC POL 2

Potential Positive Impact Neutral Impact Positive Negative Impact Neutral / Uncertain Impact Uncertain Impact Table 8.1 - Assessment of Policies and Objectives Duleek

Town Plan Town Plan Comments / Mitigation Chapter Objective/Policy

Policies SP 1 SP 2 SP 3 (i) SS OBJ 2 Strategic SP 3 (ii) SS OBJ 2 Policies SP 4 (i) SS OBJ 2 SP 4 (ii) SS OBJ 2 SP 4 (iii) SS OBJ 2 UD POL 1 UD POL 2 UD POL 3 Urban Design UD POL 4 UD POL 5 UD POL 6 UD POL 7 CF POL 1 CF POL 2 CH POL7, CH OBJ 7, CH POL 11; amended CH POL 20 Community CF POL 3 Facilities and CF POL 4 Open Spaces CF POL 5 CF POL 6 WS POL 29-36 FR POL 1-3, HER POL 2, new policy NH POL 26 CER POL 1 Table 4.2 of CDP sets suitable uses in employment lands CER POL 2 CH POL 11, HER POL 7; amended CH POL 20 Commercial, CER POL 3 CH POL 11, HER POL 7; amended CH POL 20 Economic and CER POL 4 CH POL 11, HER POL 7; amended CH POL 20 Retail Uses CER POL 5 CER POL 6 CH POL 11, HER POL 7; amended CH POL 20 CER POL 7 CH POL 11, HER POL 7; amended CH POL 20 MA POL 1 Movement and MA POL 2 CH POL 11, HER POL 7; amended CH POL 20 Access MA POL 3 CH POL 11, HER POL 7, HER POL 2 new policy NH POL 26 MA POL 4 Water and WWS POL 1 SS OBJ 2 Wastewater Services WWS POL 2 HER POL 1 HER POL 2 HER POL 3 HER POL 4 Heritage HER POL 5 HER POL 6 HER POL 7 HER POL 8 FR POL 1 Flood Risk FR POL 2 FR POL 3

Objectives MA OBJ 1 FR POL 1-3 NH POL 26 PC POL 1, TRAN POL 32 new policies NH POL 26 PC POL 2, amended CH POL 20 Movement and MA OBJ 2 CH POL 11, HER POL 7; amended CH POL 20, PC POL 2 Access MA OBJ 3 CH POL 11, HER POL 7; amended CH POL 19 MA OBJ 4 new policy NH POL 26, PC POL 2, amended CH POL 20 Community CF OBJ 1 CH POL 11, HER POL 7; amended CH POL 20 Facilities & Open Space CF OBJ 2 FR POL 1-3 NH OBJ 2, HER POL 2 new policy NH POL 26, PC POL 2 Heritage HER OBJ 1 Flood Risk FR OBJ

Potential Positive Impact Neutral Impact Positive Negative Impact Neutral / Uncertain Impact Uncertain Impact Table 8.1 - Assessment of Policies and Objectives Enfield

Town Plan Town Plan Comments / Mitigation Chapter Objective/Policy

Policies SP 1 SP 2 SP 3 (i) Strategic SP 3 (ii) SS OBJ 2 Policies SP 4 (i) SP 4 (ii) SS OBJ 2 SP 4 (iii) SS OBJ 2; Amended CH POL20 new policy NH POL 26 CF POL 1 Community CF POL 2 Facilities and CF POL 3 Open Spaces CF POL 4 CF POL 5 CER POL 1 SS OBJ 2 new policy NH POL 26 CER POL 2 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 Commercial CER POL 3 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 Uses CER POL 4 CER POL 5 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 LU POL 1 Land Use LU POL 2 UD POL 1 0 UD POL 2 Urban Design UD POL 3 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 UD POL 4 HER POL 1 HER POL 2 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 Heritage HER POL 3 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 HER POL 4 MA POL 1 MA POL 2 MA POL 3 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 Movement and MA POL 4 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 Access MA POL 5 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 new policy NH POL 26 PC POL 2, amended CH POL 20 MA POL 6 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 MA POL 7 MA POL 8 Water and WWS POL 1 Wastewater WWS POL 2 Services WWS POL 3 Flood Risk FR POL

Objectives Commercial, Economic and CER OBJ Retail Uses Community Facilities and CF OBJ Open Spaces CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 LU OBJ 1 Land Use LU OBJ 2 NH OBJ 2, Table 4.2 of CDP for uses new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 HER OBJ 1 Heritage HER OBJ 2 Movement and MA OBJ 1 Access MA OBJ 2

Potential Positive Impact Neutral Impact Positive Negative Impact Neutral / Uncertain Impact Uncertain Impact Table 8.1 - Assessment of Policies and Objectives Gibbstown

Town Plan Town Plan Comments / Mitigation Chapter Objective/Policy

Policies SP 1 SP 2 (i) SS OBJ 2 Strategic SP 2 (ii) SS OBJ 2 Policies SP 3 (i) SS OBJ 2 SP 3 (ii) SS OBJ 2 SP 3 (iii) SS OBJ 2 CER POL 1 CER POL 2 Commercial, CER POL 3 new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 Economic and CER POL 4 Retail Uses CER POL 5 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 CER POL 6 CER POL 7 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 Community CF POL 1 Facilities and CF POL 2 Open Space CF POL 3 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 RD POL 1 Residential RD POL 2 Development RD POL 3 Gaeltacht Identity GAEL POL HER POL 1 Heritage HER POL 2 UD POL 1 UD POL 2 Urban Design UD POL 3 UD POL 4 UD POL 5 Water and WWS POL 1 Wastewater WWS POL 2 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 Services WWS POL 3 Waste Management WP POL Telecomms TELE POL EC POL 31 , ECPOL34 MA POL 1 MA POL 2 Movement and MA POL 3 Access MA POL 4 MA POL 5 Flood Risk FR POL

Objectives Commercial, CER OBJ 1 Economic and CER OBJ 2 Retail Uses CER OBJ 3 Community CF OBJ 1 Facilities and CF OBJ 2 Open Space CF OBJ 3 RES OBJ 1 Residential RES OBJ 2 Development RES OBJ 3 Gaeltacht GAEL OBJ 1 Identity GAEL OBJ 2 LU OBJ 1 LU OBJ 2 Land Use LU OBJ 3 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 LU OBJ 4 LU OBJ 5 MA OBJ 1 new policy PC POL 2 Movement and MA OBJ 2 Access MA OBJ 3 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 MA OBJ 4 HER POL 1 Heritage HER POL 2

Potential Positive Impact Neutral Impact Positive Negative Impact Neutral / Uncertain Impact Uncertain Impact Table 8.1 - Assessment of Policies and Objectives Gormonston

Town Plan Town Plan Chapter Comments / Mitigation Objective/Policy

Policies SP 1 SP 2 Strategic Policies SP 3 (i) SS OBJ 2 SP 3 (ii) SS OBJ 2 Community Facilities and Open Spaces CF POL 1 Movement and Access TP POL 1 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 new policies NH POL 26 PC POL 2, amended CH POL 20 Water and Wastewater Services WWS POL SS OBJ 2 Land Use LU POL Urban Design UD POL FR POL 1 Flood Risk FR POL 2

Objectives MA OBJ 1 Movement and MA OBJ 2 Access MA OBJ 3 FR POL 1-2 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 new policy NH POL 26 HER OBJ 1 Heritage HER OBJ 2 HER OBJ 3 Flood Risk FR OBJ 1

Potential Positive Impact Neutral Impact Positive Negative Impact Neutral / Uncertain Impact Uncertain Impact Table 8.1 - Assessment of Policies and Objectives Julianstown

Town Plan Town Plan Comments / Mitigation Chapter Objective/Policy

Policies SP 1 Strategic SP 2 Policies SP 3

Village Design Statement VDS POL 1 Community CF POL 1 Facilities and Open Spaces CF POL 2 Commercial, CER POL 1 NH POL 2, NH OBJ 2, CH POL11; new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 Economic and Retail Uses CER POL 2 NH POL 2, NH OBJ 2, CH POL11, FR POL 1&2; new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 UD POL 1 UD POL 2 Urban Design UD POL 3 FR POL 1-2, NH POL 2, NH OBJ 2, CH POL11, new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 UD POL 4 HER POL 1 Heritage HER POL 2 NH POL 2, NH OBJ 2 new policy NH POL 26 MA POL 1 Movement and MA POL 2 Access MA POL 3 Water and Wastewater Services WWS POL FR POL 1 Flood Risk FR POL 2

Objectives MA OBJ 1 MA OBJ 2 Movement and MA OBJ 3 Access MA OBJ 4 MA OBJ 5 NH POL 2, NH OBJ 2, CH OBJ 23 new policy NH POL 26 Land Use LU OBJ NH POL 2, NH OBJ 2, CH POL11, FR POL 1&2, CH OBJ 23; new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20, amended CH OBJ 23 HER OBJ 1 1 2 3 4 5 HER OBJ 2 Heritage 1 2 3 4 5 6 HER OBJ 3 Flood Risk FR OBJ

Potential Positive Impact Neutral Impact Positive Negative Impact Neutral / Uncertain Impact Uncertain Impact Table 8.1 - Assessment of Policies and Objectives Kentstown

Town Plan Town Plan Comments / Mitigation Chapter Objective/Policy

Policies SP 1 SP 2 (i) Strategic SP 2 (ii) Policies SP 3 (i) Table 4.2 of CDP sets suitable uses in employment lands SP 3 (ii) Table 4.2 of CDP sets suitable uses in employment lands SP 3 (iii) Residential Development RD POL Land Use LU POL amended CH OBJ 20 Commercial Economic and Retail Uses CER POL amended CH OBJ 20 Education ED POL MA POL 1 Movement and MA POL 2 Access MA POL 3 HER POL 1 HER POL 2 Heritage HER POL 3 HER POL 4 Community CF POL 1 Facilities and CF POL 2 Open Spaces CF POL 3 UD POL 1 Urban Design UD POL 2 Water and WWS POL 1 Wastewater WWS POL 2 Services WWS POL 3 Public Lighting PL POL new policy PC POL 2 Electricity ET POL FR POL 1 Flood Risk FR POL 2

Objectives Community Facilities and CF OBJ Open Spaces Commercial, Economic and CER OBJ Retail Uses SS OBJ 2 Movement and MA OBJ Access SS OBJ 2 Heritage HER OBJ WS POL 29-36, NH POL 2, NH OBJ 2 new policy NH POL 26, PC POL 2 FR OBJ 1 Flood Risk FR OBJ 2

Potential Positive Impact Neutral Impact Positive Negative Impact Neutral / Uncertain Impact Uncertain Impact Table 8.1 - Assessment of Policies and Objectives Kilbride

Town Plan Town Plan Comments / Mitigation Chapter Objective/Policy

Policies SP 1 SP 2 SP 3 Strategic SP 4 (i) SS OBJ 2 Policies SP 4 (ii) SS OBJ 2 SP 5 (i) SS OBJ 2, Table 4.2 of CDP sets suitable uses in employment lands SP 5 (ii) SS OBJ 2, Table 4.2 of CDP sets suitable uses in employment lands SP 5 (iii) SS OBJ 2, Table 4.2 of CDP sets suitable uses in employment lands LU POL 1 LU POL 2 WS POL32 and CH POL11, FR POL 1-3 amended policy CH POL 20 LU POL 3 LU POL 4 Table 4.2 of CDP sets suitable uses in employment lands Land Use LU POL 5 Table 4.2 of CDP sets suitable uses in employment lands LU POL 6 LU POL 7 LU POL 8 UD POL 1 UD POL 2 Urban Design UD POL 3 UD POL 4 UD POL 5 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 new policies NH POL 26 PC POL 2, amended CH POL 20 Community CF POL 1 Facilities and Open Spaces CF POL 2 WS POL 29-36, FR POL 2 Water and Wastewater Services WWS POL SS OBJ 2 HER POL 1 Heritage HER POL 2 NH POL 2, NH OBJ 2, CH POL11; amended CH POL 20 FR POL 1 Flood Risk FR POL 2 FR POL 3

Objectives Urban Design UD OBJ Land Use LU OBJ PC POL 1, ED OBJ 1, ED OBJ 2, ED POL 4, CS OBJ 10 new policy NH POL 26 Community CF OBJ 1 WS POL 29-36, FR POL 2 Facilities and CF OBJ 2 NH POL 2, NH OBJ 2, CH POL11; new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 Open Spaces CF OBJ 3 HER OBJ 1 Heritage HER OBJ 2 MA OBJ 1 Movement and MA OBJ 2 Access MA OBJ 3 MA OBJ 4 HER OBJ 1 Heritage HER OBJ 2 NH POL 2, NH OBJ 2, CH POL11; new policies NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20

Potential Positive Impact Neutral Impact Positive Negative Impact Neutral / Uncertain Impact Uncertain Impact Table 8.1 - Assessment of Policies and Objectives Kilcock

Town Plan Town Plan Comments / Mitigation Chapter Objective/Policy

Policies SP 1 Strategic SP 2 Policies SP 3 (i) SS OBJ 2 SP 3 (ii) SS OBJ 2, WS POL 29-36, FR POL 1-4 Residential Development RD POL amended CH POL 20 MA POL 1 MA POL 2 FR POL 1-4 WS POL 29-36, NH OBJ 2; new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 MA POL 3 Movement and MA POL 4 Access MA POL 5 new policy PC POL 2 MA POL 6 FR POL 1-4 WS POL 29-36, NH OBJ 2; new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 MA POL 7 Commercial, CER POL 1 Economic and Retail Uses CER POL 2 HER POL 1 Heritage HER POL 2 HER POL 3 FR POL 1-4 WS POL 29-36, NH OBJ 2 new policy NH POL 26 Community CF POL 1 Facilities and CF POL 2 Open Spaces CF POL 3 UD POL 1 Urban Design UD POL 2 Water and Wastewater Services WWS POL FR POL 1 FR POL 2 Flood Risk FR POL 3 FR POL 4

Objectives Community CF OBJ 1 Facilities and CF OBJ 2 FR POL 1-4 WS POL 29-36, NH OBJ 2 new policy NH POL 26 Open Spaces CF OBJ 3 MA OBJ 1 FR POL 1-4 cf. MA OBJ 2 below, PC POL 1, WWS OBJ below, establishednew by policies planning NH consent POL 26 PCat ABPPOL 2 MA OBJ 2 FR POL 1-4 PC POL 1 WWS OBJ new policies NH POL 26 PC POL 2 Movement and MA OBJ 3 Access MA OBJ 4 MA OBJ 5 Commercial, SS OBJ 2, Table 4.2 of CDP sets suitable uses in employment lands; Economic and CER OBJ WS POL 29-36, FR POL 1-4 FR OBJ Retail Uses NH OBJ 2, PC POL 1, WWS OBJ below new policies NH POL 26 PC POL 2, amended CH POL 20 HER OBJ 1 WS POL 29-36, NH OBJ 2 new policy NH POL 26 Heritage HER OBJ 2 Water and Wastewater WWS OBJ Services SS OBJ 2 Residential RD OBJ 1 WS POL 29-36, NH OBJ 2; SS OBJ 2, CS OBJ12, PC POL 1 new policy NH POL 26 PC POL 2, amended CH POL 20 Development RD OBJ 2 WS POL 29-36, NH OBJ 2; SS OBJ 2, CS OBJ12, PC POL 1 new policy NH POL 26 PC POL 2, amended CH POL 21 Flood Risk FR OBJ

Potential Positive Impact Neutral Impact Positive Negative Impact Neutral / Uncertain Impact Uncertain Impact Table 8.1 - Assessment of Policies and Objectives Kildalkey

Town Plan Town Plan Comments / Mitigation Chapter Objective/Policy

Policies SP 1 Strategic SP 2 Policies SP 3 (i) WS POL 29-36, FR POL 1-3 SP 3 (ii) Commercial Uses CER POL FR POL 1-3 WS POL 29-36 CH POL 11; amended CH POL 20 Community Facilities CF POL WS POL 29-36 FR POL 1-3 CH POL 11, UD POL 1 below; new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 MA POL 1 Movement and MA POL 2 Access MA POL 3 new policy PC POL 2 UD POL 1 Urban Design UD POL 2 UD POL 3 UD POL 1 above; amended CH POL 20 LU POL 1 Land Use LU POL 2 FR POL 1 Flood Risk FR POL 2 FR POL 3

Objectives Community CF OBJ 1 Facilities and Open Spaces CF OBJ 2 amended CH POL 20 MA OBJ 1 Movement and MA OBJ 2 amended CH POL 20 Access MA OBJ 3 FR POL 1-3 WS POL 29-36 NH OBJ 2, PC POL 1; new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 MA OBJ 4 HER OBJ 1 Heritage HER OBJ 2 HER OBJ 3

Potential Positive Impact Neutral Impact Positive Negative Impact Neutral / Uncertain Impact Uncertain Impact Table 8.1 - Assessment of Policies and Objectives Kilmainhamwood

Town Plan Town Plan Comments / Mitigation Chapter Objective/Policy

Policies SP 1 SP 2 Strategic SP 3 Policies SP 4 SP 5 (i) SP 5 (ii)

Commercial, CER POL 1 WS POL 29-36 FR POL 1-2 CH POL 11; new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 Economic & CER POL 2 WS POL 29-36 FR POL 1-2 CH POL 11; new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 Retail CER POL 3 new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 HER POL 1 HER POL 2 Heritage HER POL 3 HER POL 4 HER POL 5 Community CF POL 1 Facilities and CF POL 2 WS 29-36 FR POL 1-3 NH OBJ 2 CH OBJ 7 new policy NH POL 26 Open Spaces CF POL 3 Movement and MA POL 1 amended CH POL 20 Access MA POL 2 CH POL 21; amended CH POL 20 Renaissance Community REN POL Plan CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2, new policies NH POL 26 PC POL 2, amended CH POL 20 FR POL 1 Flood Risk FR POL 2

Objectives Movement and MA OBJ 1 Access MA OBJ 2 Commercial, Economic and Retail Uses CER OBJ HER OBJ 1 Heritage HER OBJ 2 WS 29-36 FR POL 1-3 NH OBJ 2 CH OBJ 7; new policy NH POL 26 PC POL 2, amended CH POL 20

Potential Positive Impact Neutral Impact Positive Negative Impact Neutral / Uncertain Impact Uncertain Impact Table 8.1 - Assessment of Policies and Objectives Kilmessan

Town Plan Town Plan Comments / Mitigation Chapter Objective/Policy

Policies Strategic SP 1 SS OBJ 2, TRAN SP 2 Policies SP 2 SS OBJ 2, TRAN SP 2 Commercial, CER POL 1 Economic and CER POL 2 CH POL 11; amended CH POL 20 Retail Uses CER POL 3 Water and Wastewater Services WWS POL UD POL 1 UD POL 2 Urban Design UD POL 3 amended CH POL 20 UD POL 4 Community CF POL 1 Facilities and CF POL 2 Open Spaces CF POL 3 HER POL 1 HER POL 2 Heritage HER POL 3 HER POL 4 MA POL 1 CH POL 11; amended CH POL 20 Movement and MA POL 2 Access MA POL 3 CH POL11; new policies NH POL 26 PC POL 2, amended CH POL 20 MA POL 4 FR POL 1 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 FR POL 1 Flood Risk FR POL 2

Objectives Community Facilities and CF OBJ Open Spaces Movement and MA OBJ 1 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 , PC POL 1 TRAN SP 2 new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 Access MA OBJ 2 Land Use/ LU OBJ 1 Transportation LU OBJ 2 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 , PC POL 1 TRAN SP 2 new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 Flood Risk FR OBJ 1

Potential Positive Impact Neutral Impact Positive Negative Impact Neutral / Uncertain Impact Uncertain Impact Table 8.1 - Assessment of Policies and Objectives Longwood

Town Plan Town Plan Comments / Mitigation Chapter Objective/Policy

Policies SP 1 SP 2 SP 3 (i) SP 3 (ii) SP 4 (i) SP 4 (ii) Strategic SP 4 (iii) Policies SP 4 (iv) SP 4 (v) SP 4 (vi) SP 4 (vii) SP 4 (viii) SP 4 (ix) Table 4.2 of CDP sets suitable uses in employment lands CF POL 1 CF POL 2 CH POL11 CH POL 18; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 amended CH POL 20 Community CF POL 3 Facilities and CF POL 4 CH POL11 CH POL 18; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 amended CH POL 20 Open Spaces CF POL 5 CF POL 6 CH POL11 CH POL 18; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 amended CH POL 20 CER POL 1 Commercial, CER POL 2 Economic and CER POL 3 CH POL 18; CHOBJ 7 amended CH POL 20 Retail Uses CER POL 4 CH POL11 CH POL 18; CHOBJ 7 amended CH POL 20 Land Use LU POL CH POL11 CH POL 18; CHOBJ 7 amended CH POL 20 UD POL 1 UD POL 2 UD POL 3 Urban Design UD POL 4 FR POL 1 CH POL11 CH POL 18; CHOBJ 7 amended CH POL 20 UD POL 5 UD POL 6 HER POL 1 Heritage HER POL 2 NH OBJ 2 new policy NH POL 26 MA POL 1 CH POL11 CH POL 18; CHOBJ 7 amended CH POL 20 Movement and MA POL 2 Access MA POL 3 CH POL11 CH POL 18; CHOBJ 7 new policy PC POL 2, amended CH POL 20 Water and Wastewater Services WWS POL 1 Renaissance REN POL 1 CH POL11; Amended CH POL20; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2, CH POL 18new policies NH POL 26 PC POL 2, amended CH POL 20 Community REN POL 2 (i) Plan REN POL 2 (ii) FR POL 1-3 new policy NH POL 26 FR POL 1 Flood Risk FR POL 2 FR POL 3

Objectives

MA OBJ 1 Movement and MA OBJ 2 Access MA OBJ 3 NH OBJ 2, PC POL 1; Amended CH POL20 new policies NH POL 26 PC POL 2 HER OBJ 1 Heritage HER OBJ 2 Community Facilities and CF OBJ Open Spaces ; Amended CH POL20 amended CH POL 20

Potential Positive Impact Neutral Impact Positive Negative Impact Neutral / Uncertain Impact Uncertain Impact Draft Environmental Report Addendum for Variation 2 of the Meath Couty Development Plan 2013-2019 Table 8.1 - Assessment of Policies and Objectives Maynooth

Town Plan Town Plan Comments / Mitigation Chapter Objective/Policy

Policies SP 1 uncertain in context of location + character of zoned sites SP 2 SP 3 (i) uncertain in context of location + character of zoned sites Strategic SP 3 (ii) Policies SP 4 (i) Protective pol. potential conflict with development pol. SP 4 (ii) Protective pol. potential conflict with development pol. SP 4 (iii) Protective pol. potential conflict with development pol. SP 5 Protective pol. potential conflict with development pol. RD POL 1 RD POL 2 Residential RD POL 3 Development RD POL 4 RD POL 5 cf. RD POL3 above MA POL 1 MA POL 2 FR POL 1-2 CH OBJ 23 NH OBJ 2; TRAN SP 2; new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20, amended CH OBJ 23 MA POL 3 Movement and MA POL 4 CH OBJ 23 NH OBJ 2; TRAN SP 2; new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20, amended CH OBJ 23 Access MA POL 5 CH OBJ 23 NH OBJ 2; TRAN SP 2; new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20, amended CH OBJ 23 MA POL 6 MA POL 7 CER POL 1 Protective pol. potential conflict with development pol. CER POL 2 Protective pol. potential conflict with development pol. Commercial, CER POL 3 NH POL 2; new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 Economic and CER POL 4 Protective pol. potential conflict with development pol. Retail Uses CER POL 5 Protective pol. potential conflict with development pol. CER POL 6 Protective pol. potential conflict with development pol. HER POL 1 NH POL 2, NH POL 5, CH OBJ 23 amended CH OBJ 23 Heritage HER POL 2 HER POL 3 Community CF POL 1 NH POL 2, NH POL 5, CH OBJ 7, WS POL 32 FR POL 1-2 new policy NH POL 26 Facilities and NH POL 2, NH POL 5, CH OBJ 7, WS POL 32 FR POL 1-2 Open Spaces CF POL 2 new policy NH POL 26 UD POL 1 Urban Design UD POL 2 LU POL 1 Land Use LU POL 2 CH OBJ 7, CH POL 11&12, WS POL 32; new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 LU POL 3 CH OBJ 7, CH POL 11&12, WS POL 32; new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 WWS POL 1 NH POL 2 WWS POL 2 Water and WWS POL 3 FR POL 1-2 WS POL 10 (water framework directive) - Waste Water WWS POL 4 Services WWS POL 5 WWS POL 6 NH OBJ 2 WWS POL 7 FR POL 1 Flood Risk FR POL 2

Objectives Community CF OBJ 1 CH OBJ 23, CH OBJ 7, CH POL 11 - Facilities and CF OBJ 2 CH OBJ 23, CH OBJ 7, CH POL 12 Open Spaces CF OBJ 3 MA OBJ 1 WS POL 32, NH POL 5, CH OBJ 7, CH OBJ 23; new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20, PC POL 2 MA OBJ 2 MA OBJ 3 MA OBJ 4 FR POL 1-2 WS POL 32, NH POL 5, CH OBJ 7, CH OBJ 23; new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 Movement and MA OBJ 5 Access MA OBJ 6 FR POL 1-2 WS POL 32, NH POL 5, CH OBJ 7, CH OBJ 25; new policy NH POL 26, amended Ch POL 20 MA OBJ 7 MA OBJ 8 MA OBJ 9 CER OBJ 1 Protective pol. potential conflict with development pol. A B C D E F Commercial, G Economic and H Retail Uses CER OBJ 2 Protective pol. potential conflict with development pol. A B C D E F G HER OBJ 1 NH POL 2 new policy NH POL 26 Heritage HER OBJ 2

Potential Positive Impact Neutral Impact Positive Negative Impact Neutral / Uncertain Impact Uncertain Impact Table 8.1 - Assessment of Policies and Objectives Moynalty

Town Plan Town Plan Comments / Mitigation Chapter Objective/Policy

Policies SP 1 SP 2 FR POL 1-2 WS POL 29-36 SP 3 (a) SP 3 (b) Strategic SP 4 (a) CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 amended CH POL 20 Policies SP 4 (b) SP 4 (c) SP 4 (d) SP 5 (i) SP 5 (ii) Commercial, CER POL 1 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 amended CH POL 20 Economic & Retail Uses CER POL 2 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 amended CH POL 20 HER POL 1 HER POL 2 Heritage HER POL 3 HER POL 4 HER POL 5 Community CF POL 1 Facilities and Open Spaces CF POL 2 NH OBJ 2 new policy NH POL 26, PC POL 2 Movement and Access MA POL 1 FR POL 1 Flood Risk FR POL 2

Objectives MA OBJ 1 Movement and MA OBJ 2 Access MA OBJ 3 Commercial, CER OBJ 1 Economic and CER OBJ 2 Retail Uses CER OBJ 3 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 amended CH POL 20 HER OBJ 1 2 3 Heritage 4 5 6 7

Potential Positive Impact Neutral Impact Positive Negative Impact Neutral / Uncertain Impact Uncertain Impact Table 8.1 - Assessment of Policies and Objectives Nobber

Town Plan Town Plan Comments / Mitigation Chapter Objective/Policy

Policies SP 1 SP 2 Strategic SP 3 Policies SP 4 (i) FR POL 1-2 WS POL 29-36 SS OBJ 2 SP 4 (ii) FR POL 1-2 WS POL 29-36 SS OBJ 2 CER POL 1

Commercial, CER POL 2 Economic & Retail CER POL 3

CER POL 4 new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 CF POL 1 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 amended CH POL 20 CF POL 2 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 amended CH POL 20 Community CF POL 3 Facilities and CF POL 4 WS POL 29-36 FR POL 1-2 NH OBJ 2 new policy NH POL 26 Open Spaces CF POL 5 CF POL 6 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 amended CH POL 20 HER POL 1 HER POL 2 HER POL 3 HER POL 4 Heritage HER POL 5 NH OBJ 2 CH OBJ 7 CH POL 11; new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 HER POL 6 HER POL 7 HER POL 8 MA POL 1 Movement and MA POL 2 Access MA POL 3 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 amended CH POL 20 MA POL 4 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 amended CH POL 20 UD POL 1 Urban Design UD POL 2 LU POL 1 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 amended CH POL 20 Land Use LU POL 2 LU POL 3 FR POL 1 Flood Risk FR POL 2

Objectives Commercial, Economic and CER OBJ Table 4.2 of CDP sets suitable uses in employment lands Retail Uses CH POL 11 CH OBJ 7 NH OBJ 2; new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 MA OBJ 1 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 amended CH POL 20 MA OBJ 2 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 amended CH POL 20 Movement and MA OBJ 3 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 amended CH POL 20 Access MA OBJ 4 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 amended CH POL 20 MA OBJ 5 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 amended CH POL 20 FPL OBJ a CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 amended CH POL 20 FPL OBJ b Footpath and FPL OBJ c PC POL 2 Public Lighting FPL OBJ d PC POL 2 Provisions FPL OBJ e PC POL 2 FPL OBJ f CH POL11 CH POL20 CHOBJ 7; amended CH POL 20 HER OBJ 1 Heritage HER OBJ 2

Potential Positive Impact Neutral Impact Positive Negative Impact Neutral / Uncertain Impact Uncertain Impact Table 8.1 - Assessment of Policies and Objectives

Oldcastle

Town Plan Town Plan Comments / Mitigation Chapter Objective/Policy

Policies SP 1 SP 1 A SP 1 B SP 1 C SP 1 D SP 1 E Strategic SP 1 F Policies SP 1 G SP 2 (i) SP 2 (ii) SS OBJ 2 SP 3 (i) SP 3 (ii) SP 3 (iii) RD POL 1 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 amended CH POL 20 Residential RD POL 2 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 amended CH POL 20 Development RD POL 3 LU POL1 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 amended CH POL 20 LU POL2 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 amended CH POL 20 LU POL3 Land Use LU POL4 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 amended CH POL 20 LU POL5 LU POL6 LU POL7 MA POL 1 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 amended CH POL 20 MA POL 2 Movement and MA POL 3 Access MA POL 4 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 amended CH POL 20 MA POL 5 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 amended CH POL 20 HER POL 1 HER POL 2 Heritage HER POL 3 HER POL 4 Community Facilities and Open Spaces CF POL CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 amended CH POL 20 Urban Design UD POL CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 amended CH POL 20 Renaissance Community REN POL Plan CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 new policies NH POL 26 PC POL 2, amended CH POL 20 Flood Risk FR POL

Objectives LU OBJ 1 LU OBJ 2 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 amended CH POL 20 LU OBJ 3 LU OBJ 4 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 amended CH POL 20 Land Use LU OBJ 5 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 amended CH POL 20 LU OBJ 6 LU OBJ 7 LU OBJ 8 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 amended CH POL 20 CF OBJ 1 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 amended CH POL 20 CF OBJ 2 CF OBJ 3 Community CF OBJ 4 Facilities and CF OBJ 5 Open Spaces CF OBJ 6 CF OBJ 7 CF OBJ 8 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 amended CH POL 20 MA OBJ 1 MA OBJ 2 MA OBJ 3 MA OBJ 4 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 amended CH POL 20 MA OBJ 5 MA OBJ 6 Movement and MA OBJ 7 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 amended CH POL 20 Access MA OBJ 8 MA OBJ 9 MA OBJ 10 MA OBJ 11 MA OBJ 12 MA OBJ 13 HER OBJ 1 Heritage HER OBJ 2

Potential Positive Impact Neutral Impact Positive Negative Impact Neutral / Uncertain Impact Uncertain Impact Table 8.1 - Assessment of Policies and Objectives Rathcairn

Town Plan Town Plan Objective/Policy Comments / Mitigation Chapter

Policies SP 1 Strategic SP 2 (i) SS OBJ 2 Policies SP 2 (ii) SS OBJ 2 CER POL 1 CER POL 2 CER OBJ 1 Commercial, CER POL 3 Economic and CER POL 4 Retail Uses CER POL 5 CER POL 6 CER POL 7 CF POL 1 CF POL 2 Community CF POL 3 Facilities and CF POL 4 Open Spaces CF POL 5 CF POL 6 CF POL 7 Residential RD POL 1 RD OBJ, GAEL OBJ 1 Development RD POL 2 RD OBJ, GAEL OBJ 1 GAEL POL 1 Gaeltacht GAEL POL 2 Identity GAEL POL 3 Heritage HER POL UD POL 1 UD POL 2 A B C D Urban Design E UD POL 3 F G H I J Water and WWS POL 1 Wastewater WWS POL 2 Services Telecomms TEL POL EC POL 31 , ECPOL34 MA POL 1 Movement and MA POL 2 Access MA POL 3 Flood Risk FR POL

Objectives Commercial, CER OBJ 1 Economic and CER OBJ 2 Retail Uses CER OBJ 3 Community CF OBJ 1 Facilities and CF OBJ 2 new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 Open Spaces CF OBJ 3 CH POL11; NH OBJ 2 Residential Development RD OBJ 1 Gaeltacht GAEL OBJ 1 Identity GAEL OBJ 2 LU OBJ 1 new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20, PU POL 2 Land Use LU OBJ 2 CH POL11; NH OBJ 2 LU OBJ 3 Heritage HER OBJ

Potential Positive Impact Neutral Impact Positive Negative Impact Neutral / Uncertain Impact Uncertain Impact Table 8.1 - Assessment of Policies and Objectives Rathmolyon

Town Plan Town Plan Comments / Mitigation Chapter Objective/Policy

Policies SP 1 Strategic SP 2 Policies SP 3 (i) SS OBJ 2 SP 3 (ii) SS OBJ 2 Commercial, CER POL 1 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 amended CH POL 20, amended CH POL 20 Economic and Retail Uses CER POL 2 Community CF POL 1 Facilities and CF POL 2 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 new Policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 Open Spaces CF POL 3 LU POL 1 LU POL 2 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 new Policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 Land Use LU POL 3 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 new Policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 LU POL 4 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 new Policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 Movement and MA POL 1 Access MA POL 2 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 new Policies NH POL 26 PC POL 2, amended CH POL 20 Water and WWS POL 1 Wastewater Services WWS POL 2 UD POL 1 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 new Policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 Urban Design UD POL 2 Flood Risk FR POL

Objectives Community CF OBJ 1 Facilities and Open Spaces CF OBJ 2 Movement and MA OBJ 1 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 new Policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 Access MA OBJ 2 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 new Policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 HER OBJ 1 Heritage HER OBJ 2 HER OBJ 3

Potential Positive Impact Neutral Impact Positive Negative Impact Neutral / Uncertain Impact Uncertain Impact Table 8.1 - Assessment of Policies and Objectives

Slane

Town Plan Town Plan Comments / Mitigation Chapter Objective/Policy

Policies SP 1 SP 2 SP 3 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 CH POL 18 NH OBJ 2 new Policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 SP 4 Strategic SP 5 (i) SS OBJ 2 Policies SP 5 (ii) SS OBJ 2 SP 6 (i) SP 6 (ii) CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 CH POL 18 NH OBJ 2 new policy LU POL 1, amended CH POL 20 SP 6 (iii) new policy LU POL 1, amended CH POL 20 UD POL 1 UD POL 2 UD POL 3 Urban Design UD POL 4 UD POL 5 UD POL 6 UD POL 7 CF POL 1 CF POL 2 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 CH POL 18 NH OBJ 2 new Policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 CF POL 3 Community CF POL 4 Facilities and CF POL 5 Open Spaces CF POL 6 CF POL 7 CF POL 8 CF POL 9 PU POL 2 CER POL 1 CER POL 2 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 CH POL 18 NH OBJ 2 new Policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 CER POL 3 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 CH POL 18 NH OBJ 2 new Policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 Commercial, CER POL 4 Economic and CER POL 5 Retail Uses CER POL 6 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 CH POL 18 NH OBJ 2 new Policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 CER POL 7 CER POL 8 MA POL 1 Movement and MA POL 2 Access MA POL 3 Water and WWS POL 1 Wastewater WWS POL 2 Services WWS POL 3 HER POL 1 HER POL 2 HER POL 3 HER POL 4 new Policy NH POL 26, PC POL 2 HER POL 5 HER POL 6 Heritage HER POL 7 HER POL 8 HER POL 9 HER POL 10 HER POL 11 HER POL 12 Land Use LU POL FR POL 1 Flood Risk FR POL 2 FR POL 3

Objectives MA OBJ 1 MA OBJ 2 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 CH POL 18 NH OBJ 2 new Policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 MA OBJ 3 Movement and MA OBJ 4 Access MA OBJ 5 MA OBJ 6 MA OBJ 7 MA OBJ 8 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 CH POL 18 NH OBJ 2 new Policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 Urban Design UD OBJ HER POL 1 Heritage HER POL 2 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 CH POL 18 NH OBJ 2 new Policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 HER OBJ 3 Commercial, CER OBJ 1 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 CH POL 18 NH OBJ 2 new Policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 Economic and CER OBJ 2 Retail Uses Drogheda Road DR OBJ CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 CH POL 18 NH OBJ 2 new Policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20

Potential Positive Impact Neutral Impact Positive Negative Impact Neutral / Uncertain Impact Uncertain Impact Table 8.1 - Assessment of Policies and Objectives Stamullen

Town Plan Town Plan Comments / Mitigation Chapter Objective/Policy

Policies SP 1 SP 2 SP 3 SP 4 (i) SS OBJ 2 SP 4 (ii) SS OBJ 2 SS OBJ 2, Table 4.2 of CDP sets suitable uses in employment Strategic lands Policies SP 5 (i) TRAN SP 2 SS OBJ 2, Table 4.2 of CDP sets suitable uses in employment lands SP 5 (ii) TRAN SP 2 SS OBJ 2, Table 4.2 of CDP sets suitable uses in employment lands SP 5 (iii) TRAN SP 2 Community CF POL 1 new Policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 Facilities and CF POL 2 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 new Policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 Open Spaces CF POL 3 MA POL 1 MA POL 2 MA POL 3 Movement and MA POL 4 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2, CH POL 18 new Policies, NH POL 26 PC POL 2, amended CH POL 20 Access MA POL 5 MA POL 6 MA POL 7 Water and Wastewater Services WWS POL 1 Commercial, CER POL 1 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 new Policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 Economic and Retail Uses CER POL 2 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 new Policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 UD POL 1 UD POL 2 Urban Design UD POL 3 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 new Policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 UD POL 4 FR POL 1 Flood Risk FR POL 2 FR POL 3

Objectives Strategic Objectives SO OBJ CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 new Policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 LU OBJ 1 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 new Policies NH POL 26 CP POL 2, amended CH POL 20 SS OBJ 2, Table 4.2 of CDP sets suitable uses in employment Land Use LU OBJ 2 lands CH POL 11 CH OBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 PCP POL 1 amended CH POL 20 LU OBJ 3 FR OBJ 3 HER OBJ 1 HER OBJ 2 HER OBJ 3 Heritage HER OBJ 4 HER OBJ 5 HER OBJ 6 FR POL 1-2 NH POL 2, NH OBJ 2 new policy NH POL 26 MA POL 1 MA POL 2 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 new Policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 Movement and MA POL 3 Access MA POL 4 FR POL 1-2 NH POL 2, NH OBJ 2 new policy NH POL 26 MA POL 5 MA POL 6 Flood Risk FR OBJ

Potential Positive Impact Neutral Impact Positive Negative Impact Neutral / Uncertain Impact Uncertain Impact Table 8.1 - Assessment of Policies and Objectives Summerhill

Town Plan Town Plan Comments / Mitigation Chapter Objective/Policy

Policies SP 1 SP 2 SP 3 (i) Strategic SP 3 (ii) amended TP OBJ 2 below Policies SP 4 (i) amended TP OBJ 2 below SP 4 (ii) amended TP OBJ 2 below SP 4 (iii) SS OBJ 2, Table 4.2 of CDP sets suitable uses in employment lands Community CF POL 1 Facilities and CF POL 2 Open Spaces CF POL 3 Commercial, CER POL 1 amended TP OBJ 2 below Economic and CER POL 2 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 new Policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 Retail Uses CER POL 3 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 new Policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 UD POL 1 UD POL 2 Urban Design UD POL 3 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 CH POL 18 new Policy NH POL 26 UD POL 4 HER POL 1 Heritage HER POL 2 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 new Policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 MA POL 1 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 new policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20 Movement and MA POL 2 Access MA POL 3 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 new Policies NH POL 26 PC POL 2, amended CH POL 20 Water and Wastewater WWS POL 1 Services WWS POL 2 Renaissance Community REN POL Plan CH POL11 CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2, new Policies NH POL 26 PC POL 2, amended CH POL 20 Flood Risk FR POL

Objectives MA OBJ 1 MA OBJ 2 CH POL11; CHOBJ 7 NH OBJ 2 Amended TR OBJ 2, amended CH POL 20 Movement and MA OBJ 3 Access MA OBJ 4 MA OBJ 5 Land Use LU OBJ HER OBJ 1 Heritage HER OBJ 2

Potential Positive Impact Neutral Impact Positive Negative Impact Neutral / Uncertain Impact Uncertain Impact Table 8.1 - Assessment of Policies and Objectives

Town Plan Town Plan Comments / Mitigation Chapter Objective/Policy

Ashbourne Policies SP 1 (i) FR POL 1-2 WS POL 29-36, SS OBJ 2 SP 1 (ii) FR POL 1-2 WS POL 29-36, SS OBJ 2 Strategic SP 2 (i) SS OBJ 2, Table 4.2 of CDP sets suitable uses in employment lands Policy SP 2 (ii) SS OBJ 2, Table 4.2 of CDP sets suitable uses in employment lands SP 2 (iii) SS OBJ 2, Table 4.2 of CDP sets suitable uses in employment lands FR POL 1 Flood Risk FR POL 2 FR POL 3 Objectives Flood Risk FR OBJ FP OBJ 1 NH OBJ 2 new Policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20, PC POL 2 Land Use FP OBJ 2 FR POL 1-3 WS OBJ 29-36 NH OBJ 2 new Policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20, PC POL 2 FP OBJ 3 SS OBJ 2, Table 4.2 of CDP sets suitable uses new Policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20, PC POL 2

Drogheda Southern Environs Policies Strategic SP 1 (i) SS OBJ 2 FR POL 1-4 WS POL 29-36 Policy SP 1 (ii) SS OBJ 2 FR POL 1-4 WS POL 29-36 FR POL 1 FR POL 2 Flood Risk FR POL 3 FR POL 4 Land Use LU POL NH OBJ 2 new Policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20, PC POL 2

Objectives MA OBJ 1 NH OBJ 2 new Policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20, PC POL 2 Movement MA OBJ 2 NH OBJ 2 new Policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20, PC POL 2 and Access MA OBJ 3 NH OBJ 2 new Policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20, PC POL 2 Flood Risk FR OBJ 1

Dunboyne Clonee Pace Policies Strategic SP 1 (i) SS OBJ 2 FR POL 1-3 WS POL 29-36 Policy SP 1 (ii) SS OBJ 2 FR POL 1-3 WS POL 29-36 FR POL 1 Flood Risk FR POL 2 FR POL 3 CER POL 1 SS OBJ 2, Table 4.2 for uses, NH OBJ 2 TRAN SP 2 new Policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20, PC POL 2 Land Use LU POL 2 NH OBJ 2 new Policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20, PC POL 2

Objectives PACE OBJ 1 SS OBJ 2, Table 4.2 for uses, NH OBJ 2 TRAN SP 2 new Policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20, PC POL 2 Land Use PACE OBJ 2 SS OBJ 2, Table 4.2 for uses, NH OBJ 2 TRAN SP 2 new Policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20, PC POL 2 Commercial, CER OBJ 1 NH OBJ 2 new Policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20, PC POL 2 Economic and Retail CER OBJ 2 NH OBJ 2 new Policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20, PC POL 2 Flood Risk FR OBJ 1

Dunshaughlin Policies SP 1 (i) SS OBJ 2 FR POL 1-3 WS POL 29-36, CH OBJ 7, CH POL 11 SP 1 (ii) SS OBJ 2 FR POL 1-3 WS POL 29-36, CH OBJ 7, CH POL 11 Strategic SP 2 (i) SS OBJ 2 Policy SP 2 (ii) SS OBJ 2 SP 2 (iii) SS OBJ 2 FR POL 1 Flood Risk FR POL 2 FR POL 3 Land Use LU POL NH OBJ 2 new Policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20, PC POL 2

Objectives Flood Risk FR OBJ 1 Land Use LU OBJ 1

Ratoath Policies Strategic SP 1 (i) SS OBJ 2 FR POL 1-5 WS POL 29-36, CH OBJ 7, CH POL 11 Policy SP 1 (ii) SS OBJ 2 FR POL 1-5 WS POL 29-36, CH OBJ 7, CH POL 11 FR POL 1 FR POL 2 Flood Risk FR POL 3 FR POL 4 FR POL 5

Objectives Flood Risk FR OBJ 1 FP OBJ 1 FR POL 1-3 WS OBJ 29-36 NH OBJ 2 new Policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20, PC POL 2 Land Use FP OBJ 2 NH OBJ 2 new Policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20, PC POL 2 FP OBJ 3 FR POL 1-3 WS OBJ 29-36 NH OBJ 2 new Policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20, PC POL 2 Commercial, CER OBJ 1 NH OBJ 2 new Policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20, PC POL 2 Economic CER OBJ 2 NH OBJ 2 new Policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20, PC POL 2 and Retail CER OBJ 3 NH OBJ 2 new Policy NH POL 26, amended CH POL 20, PC POL 2

Potential Positive Impact Neutral Impact Positive Negative Impact Neutral / Uncertain Impact Uncertain Impact Environmental Report: Mitigation Measures

9.0 MITIGATION MEASURES

9.1 Introduction The quality of the environment within settlements that comprise the variation area is an important issue for consideration by Meath County Council. The areas contain a rich built, cultural and natural heritage, together with a wide range of community, economic and recreation and social facilities. These settlements also provide the basis for further sustainable development. This has been recognised throughout the process of Variation No. 2 which is framed within ideals of sustainability in its communities, its further development, its tourism economy and unique built, cultural and natural heritage.

Article 5 of the SEA Directive requires that mitigation measures be proposed for all significant adverse effects on the environment as a result of the implementation of Variation No. 2. In this regard, the SEA is an iterative process prepared in tandem with a Natura Impact Report and the formulation of the policies and objectives of the Variation. While not always possible to achieve, it is the aim of the process to ensure that sensitive environmental receptors are given adequate and appropriate consideration throughout.

9.2 How the SEA has Influenced Variation No. 2 As environmental considerations have informed all stages of the preparation of Variation No. 2, the policies and objectives of the Plan have been framed to ensure that potential adverse impacts are avoided, eliminated or lessened to an acceptable level. Where a potential negative impact cannot be entirely eliminated, a potential residual impact has been identified and such aspects will require on-going management through the Plan monitoring process (See Section 10 of this Report).

As a result of this informed iterative process, it is the finding of the assessment of Variation No. 2 as presented in Chapter 8 of this SEA Report that as a whole, the full implementation of Variation No. 2, will have an overall neutral to positive impact on the environment.

Integration between SEA, AA and the preparation of Variation No. 2 was achieved through reviews of the emerging pre‐draft and draft Variation, and through workshop meetings at the key stages with relevant SEA, AA and Variation Plan team members. This process allowed for an iterative and proactive approach to the preparation of Variation No. 2, with preliminary and on‐going assessment and refinement of the emerging pre‐draft Variation and amendment of the published draft Variation.

9.3 Mitigation Measures Given the environmental, landscape and cultural heritage sensitivities, a number of uncertain and potential negative impacts were identified as a result of interactions between the Variation policies / objectives and the Strategic Environmental Objectives. In most instances potential uncertainties or negative impacts could be mitigated either against the protective policies already contained within Variation No. 2 or within the County Development Plan.

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 92 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Mitigation Measures

The new and amended policies and objectives as outlined in Table 9.1 have been fully incorporated within Variation No. 2.

9.4 Residual Impacts and Measures Following the environmental assessment it is considered that residual impacts will remain in relation to a number of specific cases, as follows:

9.4.1 Maynooth Carton House and Demesne is of recognised architectural, cultural and landscape significance. The environmental assessment considers that realising the zoning as proposed within Carton may result in potential for negative impact on the demesne and could be in conflict with and contrary to other Policies and Objectives of Meath County Development Plan. This opinion would appear to be supported by previous An Bord Pleanála decision in relation to this area. (An Bord Pleanála Reference PL 17.233330).

9.4.2 Moynalty Potential for a residual environmental impact remains in Moynalty in respect of the proposed residential zoning in Phase II. It is proposed to carry forward an existing zoning for residential development from the 2009 Local Area Plan that is distant from the village centre and separated from the village by unzoned, undeveloped agricultural land. In addition, the assessment considers that there is potential for conflict with Strategic Policy 2 of the written statement for Moynalty which states:

SP 2 “to promote the future development of the Village as a compact settlement with a pedestrian friendly environment, a legible and coherent physical form, and a variety of land uses and amenities”

For this reason it is recommended that specific on-going environmental monitoring is carried out so as to ensure that no significant environmental impact occurs as a result of this zoning objective.

9.4.3 Pace The primary issue in relation to Pace relates to the potential transportation impacts from the proposed land use framework at this location with particular reference to the proposed Level 2 Retail Centre and the development of high end office development.

Given the scale of the development and the likely intensity of use, it is considered that significant levels of car movements could be generated by the proposed objectives PACE OBJ 1 and PACE OBJ 2.

The supporting development objectives in the Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019 require the preparation of an integrated land use and transportation study under Economic Development Objective ED OBJ 2. In addition, the requirement for the completion of the Integrated Framework Plan for Land Use and Transportation are specified as a requirement of PACE OBJ 1 in respect of the Level 2 Retail Centre.

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 93 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Mitigation Measures

In the absence of this integrated land use and transportation study, the likely mix, scale and intensity of development at Pace cannot be fully anticipated or assessed. Therefore, potential for negative transportation impacts cannot be fully assessed or mitigated at this stage.

It is the recommendation of the environmental assessment that the proposed objectives for a Level 2 Retail Centre and high-end office employment should be considered in the context of the integrated land use and transportation study for the area that identifies an appropriate scale and mix of potential uses. It is considered that the potential effects on the environment and on Natura 2000 sites should be fully taken into account in establishing the classes, extent and location of development in the area under the IFPLUT. The recommendation that Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment of the IFPLUT be carried out has been included in the wording of the final objective. It is further recommended that specific on-going environmental monitoring is carried out so as to ensure that no significant environmental impact occurs as a result of these zoning objectives.

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 94 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Mitigation Measures

Table 9.1: Summary of Mitigation Measures and Residual Impacts

Note: In the following table (Table 9.1) Additions are in Red Text Deletions are in Blue Strikethrough Text

Meath CDP Policy / New / Proposed Text Settlements Residual Impact Chapter or Objective Existing (Ex.) Affected Variation 2 Amended Settlement Water, PC POL 2 New County To ensure that public lighting schemes are designed so that they All None Drainage and Development contribute to the character of the area, minimise visual intrusion and Environmental Plan Policy do not have an adverse impact on the character or habitats of the Services natural environment

Cultural and CH POL 20 Ex. Amended (a) To encourage the retention, sympathetic maintenance, and All None Natural Assets County appropriate re-use of the vernacular heritage of Meath, in both the Development towns and rural areas of the County, including the retention of the Plan Policy original fabric, such as windows, renders, shop fronts, gates, yards, boundary walls and other significant features where possible; (b) To discourage the replacement of good quality vernacular buildings or features with modern structures or features; (c) To ensure that new build adjoining, and extensions to, vernacular buildings are of an appropriate design and do not detract from the building’s character or that of its setting.

Cultural and CH OBJ 23 Ex. Amended To require that proposals for development in and adjoining designed Julianstown None Natural County landscapes and demesnes include an appraisal of the landscape, Assets Development designed views and vistas, and an assessment of significant trees or Objective groups of trees, as appropriate. The appraisal shall ensure that development proposals respect and are consistent with the historic landscape and its protection. Any development within such areas shall comply with the policies and objectives of 'Architectural Maynooth Likely residual Heritage Protection, Guidelines for Planning Authorities' (2011), as impact on Carton appropriate. Demesne. Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 95 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Mitigation Measures

Meath CDP Policy / New / Proposed Text Settlements Residual Impact Chapter or Objective Existing (Ex.) Affected Variation 2 Amended Settlement Cultural and NH POL 26 New County To require that development proposals, on both designated and All None Natural Assets Development undesignated sites, enhance and appropriately integrate with the Plan Policy natural environment, respecting and complementing the habitats, biodiversity, landscape and natural heritage of the area Maynooth HER OBJ 2 New To require that any development in the Maynooth Environs respects Maynooth Likely residual Settlement the built and natural heritage of the area, its landscape quality, impact on Carton Objective protected structures, historic demesne, archaeological heritage, Demesne. natural heritage and general landscape character. Any development within the area shall comply with the policies and objectives of 'Architectural Heritage Protection, Guidelines for Planning Authorities' (2011), where appropriate. Any development within the area shall not adversely impact on the qualifying interests of any Natura 2000 sites Moynalty SP2 N/A N/A Moynalty Likely residual impact - non continuous development envelope for settlement. Oldcastle CF OBJ 1 Amended To co-operate with the Department of Education and Science in Oldcastle None Settlement relation to matters relating to the future expansion of St Oliver’s Post Objective Primary School and the siting and development of a new National School. An access road to serve the proposed new national school site from Church Street shall be provided as part of the residential development proposals on the adjoining lands or by the Department of Education and Science should they proceed with site development works first. Slane LU POL 1 New To require that any future development at Slane Industrial Estate Slane None Settlement does not have a negative impact on the residential amenity of River Policy View.

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 96 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Mitigation Measures

Meath CDP Policy / New / Proposed Text Settlements Residual Impact Chapter or Objective Existing (Ex.) Affected Variation 2 Amended Settlement Pace Pace OBJ 1 N/A Proposed Additional Text Pace Potential residual impact - Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment of transportation the IFPLUT shall be carried out. impact from Level 2 Retail Centre Pace Pace OBJ 2 N/A Proposed Additional Text Pace Potential residual impact - Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment of transportation the IFPLUT shall be carried out. impact from high end office development

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 97 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Monitoring

10.0 MONITORING

10.1 Introduction Under the Planning and Development Act, 2000 as amended, the Planning Authority is required to prepare a progress report on the implementation of the Plan. Given the environment is a significant consideration then the progress report will include the key findings of the environmental monitoring programme as outlined in this chapter of the Environmental Report.

While considerable environmental data is directly available to the Council such as water quality, recycling rates, etc., other sources of information will be accessed to provide a comprehensive view of the impact of the Plan. In this regard the Planning Authority will work with other agencies with environmental mandates to gather data for the purposes of monitoring the implementation of the Plan. Therefore, while monitoring specific elements of the environment is not strictly the preserve of the Council, the Council will continue to liaise and work with the Environmental Protection Agency, The National Parks and Wildlife Service, The Fisheries Board, as well as others in the pursuit of environmental conservation and protection through existing environmental monitoring procedures.

10.2 Monitoring Indicators It is proposed to base monitoring on a series of indicators which measure changes in the environment, especially changes which are critical in terms of environmental quality, for example water or air pollution levels. The indicators aim to simplify complex interrelationships and provide information about environmental issues which is easy to understand. A list of environmental indicators is included Table 9.1 of the SEA Environmental Report which accompanies the Meath County Development Plan. It is now proposed to amend this table to provide additional environmental indicators to take account of the specific issues pertaining to Variation No. 2. The amended table is provided at Table 10.1.

Environmental indicator assessment during monitoring can show positive/neutral impacts or negative impacts on the environment. Where an indicator value highlights a positive/neutral impact on the environment, it is likely that the policies and objectives of the Plan, as varied, are well defined with regard to the environment. Conversely, where the objectives of the Plan, as varied, have a negative impact on the environment, it may be necessary to review the objectives of the Plan or to take some other form of intervention. For example, if an objective or policy is having a significant adverse impact, a further variation may be considered during the lifetime of the Plan.

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 98 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Monitoring

Table 10.1: Monitoring: Environmental Indicators

Note: In the following table (Table 10.1) Additions are in Red Text Deletions are in Blue Strikethrough Text

Data Sources, Responsibility and Frequency Environmental Category Targets Selected indicators (subject to available resources)

Biodiversity - Flora and Fauna No loss of important and/or designated Number of sites. Meath County Council/National Parks and habitats Wildlife Service/Fisheries Board (depending on available information from relevant statutory authorities) No deterioration in the quality of protected Number of sites containing rare or Initial monitoring to commence within two areas threatened species. years of adoption as part of the County No loss of protected species Number of rare or threatened species. Manager's Report on progress. (subject to No fish kills during the lifetime of the plan Details of major fish kills available resources) All actions contained within the Biodiversity Number of actions achieved. Plan to be achieved during the lifetime of the County Development Plan. No net loss of green linkages established Net area of new green infrastructure under the Green Infrastructure Strategy. established through the development management process. No spread of invasive species within the Numbers of new cases identified. Establish baseline, location and extent of County invasive species in the county, to commence within two years of adoption as part of the County Manager's Report on progress. (subject to available resources) No adverse impacts on Natura 2000 sites Numbers of planning applications Meath County Council Planning Department accompanied by Stage 2 Appropriate Assessment

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 99 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Monitoring

Population (Human Beings) Decrease in journey times to work, Distance and mode of transport to work Meath County Council - Housing, Planning education and recreation. and Roads sections. Number and proportion of residential Meath County Council Planning Department units permitted within 400m of centre of Settlement Gross Floor Area (GFA) and proportion of Meath County Council Planning Department employment use permitted within 400m of public transport stop. Applications for new developments in Number of design statements. Initial monitoring to commence within two excess of fifteen residential units or over years of adoption as part of the County 0.02 Ha to be accompanied by Design Manager's Report on progress. (subject to Statement. available resources) Rural housing to accord with Rural Housing Number of planning permissions granted Design Guidelines in the countryside.

Delivery of residential development in line Percentage of residential development Meath County Council Planning Department with Meath County Settlement Strategy within each level of the settlement hierarchy Percentage of the residential planning Meath County Council Planning Department permission target achieved in each settlement Density of development within each Meath County Council Planning Department residential planning permission Consolidation of Town / Settlement Centre Number of planning permissions granted Meath County Council Planning Department within town / village centre zoned lands

Soil No incidences of soil contamination Number/severity of recorded pollution Meath County Council & EPA incidences Limited and controlled development of Area of land lost through greenfield Initial monitoring to commence within two greenfield sites development as per Development Plan years of adoption as part of the County process Manager's Report on progress. (subject to available resources)

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 100 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Monitoring

Water Implement fully the recommendations of Number of recommendations achieved. Meath County Council - Planning the three relevant River Basin Districts River Department, Water Services Department. Basin Management Plans. Also the Environmental Protection Agency. Achieve 'good' quality status of surface Percentage increase in the overall quality Initial monitoring to commence within two waters in line with WFD of surface waters. years of adoption as part of the County Comply and implement fully the most Number of permissions granted Manager's Report on progress.(subject to recent EPA guidelines on Septic Tank use complying with the guidelines. available resources) and siting as well as other on-site treatment facilities. Maintain and upgrade where necessary all Compliance with discharge parameters. Local Authority operated WWT plants to comply with the relevant legislation. Improvement in bathing water quality Achieve and maintain Green Flag status on all beaches. Reduction in development subject to Flood Number of residential planning Meath County Council Planning Department Risk applications / permission granted on sites identified as being in Flood Risk Zone A or B Gross Floor Area (GFA) of employment Meath County Council Planning Department development located on sites identified as being in Flood Risk Zone A or B

Air Quality Improvement in the concentrations of Measurable reductions in EPA measured parameters such as Particulate concentrations. Matter, Sulphur Dioxide and nitrogen oxides. Initial monitoring to commence within two years of adoption as part of the County Manager's Report on progress.(subject to available resources)

Climate change Increase in permissions granted for Percentage of housing developments Review of EPA standards and data to residential development within acceptable within specified distance to transport commence within two years of adoption as distance of public transport hubs. hubs. part of the County Manager's Report on progress.(subject to available resources)

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 101 Development Plan 2013-2019 Environmental Report: Monitoring

Built Heritage Reduction in impacts on Built Heritage Number of planning permission affecting Meath County Council – Planning Protected Structures, Structures on the Record of Monuments and Places, Architectural Conservation Areas or NIAH Designed Landscapes

Note on Frequency of Monitoring It is recommended that data based on planning application data is monitored on an annual basis. It is recommended that data related to environmental emissions, such as water, air, noise and soil quality are reviewed at two-yearly intervals.

Environmental Report -Variation No.2 of Meath County 102 Development Plan 2013-2019 Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019

Variation No.2 SEA Environmental Report Figure 1 County Meath

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Note: Details shown on this map are for information purposes only Further details on any item should be clarified with Meath County Council. This map has been produced by Meath County Council with available Local Authority and Ordnance Survey base date.

Ordnance Survey Ireland & Government of Ireland, Meath 2013/31/CCMA NOTE - UNAUTHORISED REPRODUCTION OF THIS MAP INFRINGES STATE COPYRIGHT

Contact: Planning Department, Abbey Mall,, Abbey Road, Navan Co. Meath Tel: (046) 9097000 Fax: (046) 9097001 email@[email protected] Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019

Variation No.2 SEA Environmental Report Figure 2 Ecologial Designations

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Source: National Parks and Wildlife Service Note: Details shown on this map are for information purposes only Further details on any item should be clarified with Meath County Council. This map has been produced by Meath County Council with available Local Authority and Ordnance Survey base date.

Ordnance Survey Ireland & Government of Ireland, Meath 2013/31/CCMA NOTE - UNAUTHORISED REPRODUCTION OF THIS MAP INFRINGES STATE COPYRIGHT

Contact: Planning Department, Abbey Mall,, Abbey Road, Navan Co. Meath Tel: (046) 9097000 Fax: (046) 9097001 email@[email protected] Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019

Variation No.2 SEA Environmental Report Figure 3 Population

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Source: Central Statistics Office Note: Details shown on this map are for information purposes only Further details on any item should be clarified with Meath County Council. This map has been produced by Meath County Council with available Local Authority and Ordnance Survey base date.

Ordnance Survey Ireland & Government of Ireland, Meath 2013/31/CCMA NOTE - UNAUTHORISED REPRODUCTION OF THIS MAP INFRINGES STATE COPYRIGHT

Contact: Planning Department, Abbey Mall,, Abbey Road, Navan Co. Meath Tel: (046) 9097000 Fax: (046) 9097001 email@[email protected] Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019

Variation No.2 SEA Environmental Report Figure 4a Major Roads Noise Mapping Lden

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Source: Note: Details shown on this map are for information purposes only Further details on any item should be clarified with Meath County Council. This map has been produced by Meath County Council with available Local Authority and Ordnance Survey base date.

Ordnance Survey Ireland & Government of Ireland, Meath 2013/31/CCMA NOTE - UNAUTHORISED REPRODUCTION OF THIS MAP INFRINGES STATE COPYRIGHT

Contact: Planning Department, Abbey Mall,, Abbey Road, Navan Co. Meath Tel: (046) 9097000 Fax: (046) 9097001 email@[email protected] Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019

Variation No.2 SEA Environmental Report Figure 4b Major Roads Noise Mapping Lnight

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Ordnance Survey Ireland & Government of Ireland, Meath 2013/31/CCMA NOTE - UNAUTHORISED REPRODUCTION OF THIS MAP INFRINGES STATE COPYRIGHT

Contact: Planning Department, Abbey Mall,, Abbey Road, Navan Co. Meath Tel: (046) 9097000 Fax: (046) 9097001 email@[email protected] Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019

Variation No.2 SEA Environmental Report Figure 5 Soils of County Meath

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Source: GSI Note: Details shown on this map are for information purposes only Further details on any item should be clarified with Meath County Council. This map has been produced by Meath County Council with available Local Authority and Ordnance Survey base date.

Ordnance Survey Ireland & Government of Ireland, Meath 2013/31/CCMA NOTE - UNAUTHORISED REPRODUCTION OF THIS MAP INFRINGES STATE COPYRIGHT

Contact: Planning Department, Abbey Mall,, Abbey Road, Navan Co. Meath Tel: (046) 9097000 Fax: (046) 9097001 email@[email protected] Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019

Variation No.2 SEA Environmental Report Figure 6 Geology of County Meath

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Ordnance Survey Ireland & Government of Ireland, Meath 2013/31/CCMA NOTE - UNAUTHORISED REPRODUCTION OF THIS MAP INFRINGES STATE COPYRIGHT

Contact: Planning Department, Abbey Mall,, Abbey Road, Navan Co. Meath Tel: (046) 9097000 Fax: (046) 9097001 email@[email protected] Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019

Variation No.2 SEA Environmental Report Figure 7 Registered Quarries 2011

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Source: Meath County Council list of Quarries registered under Section 261 of the Planning and Development Act 2000-2011 Note: Details shown on this map are for information purposes only Further details on any item should be clarified with Meath County Council. This map has been produced by Meath County Council with available Local Authority and Ordnance Survey base date.

Ordnance Survey Ireland & Government of Ireland, Meath 2013/31/CCMA NOTE - UNAUTHORISED REPRODUCTION OF THIS MAP INFRINGES STATE COPYRIGHT

Contact: Planning Department, Abbey Mall,, Abbey Road, Navan Co. Meath Tel: (046) 9097000 Fax: (046) 9097001 email@[email protected] Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019

Variation No.2 SEA Environmental Report Figure 8 Rivers of County Meath

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Contact: Planning Department, Abbey Mall,, Abbey Road, Navan Co. Meath Tel: (046) 9097000 Fax: (046) 9097001 email@[email protected] Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019

Variation No.2 SEA Environmental Report Figure 9 Water Framework Directive Water Management Units

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Source: EPA Note: Details shown on this map are for information purposes only Further details on any item should be clarified with Meath County Council. This map has been produced by Meath County Council with available Local Authority and Ordnance Survey base date.

Ordnance Survey Ireland & Government of Ireland, Meath 2013/31/CCMA NOTE - UNAUTHORISED REPRODUCTION OF THIS MAP INFRINGES STATE COPYRIGHT

Contact: Planning Department, Abbey Mall,, Abbey Road, Navan Co. Meath Tel: (046) 9097000 Fax: (046) 9097001 email@[email protected] Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019

Variation No.2 SEA Environmental Report Figure 10 GSI Groundwater Vulnerability

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Contact: Planning Department, Abbey Mall,, Abbey Road, Navan Co. Meath Tel: (046) 9097000 Fax: (046) 9097001 email@[email protected] Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019

Variation No.2 SEA Environmental Report Figure 11 WFD Groundwater Status

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Ordnance Survey Ireland & Government of Ireland, Meath 2013/31/CCMA NOTE - UNAUTHORISED REPRODUCTION OF THIS MAP INFRINGES STATE COPYRIGHT

Contact: Planning Department, Abbey Mall,, Abbey Road, Navan Co. Meath Tel: (046) 9097000 Fax: (046) 9097001 email@[email protected] Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019

Variation No.2 SEA Environmental Report Figure 12 Licensed IPPC Facilities

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Ordnance Survey Ireland & Government of Ireland, Meath 2013/31/CCMA NOTE - UNAUTHORISED REPRODUCTION OF THIS MAP INFRINGES STATE COPYRIGHT

Contact: Planning Department, Abbey Mall,, Abbey Road, Navan Co. Meath Tel: (046) 9097000 Fax: (046) 9097001 email@[email protected] Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019

Variation No.2 SEA Environmental Report Figure 13 Road and Rail

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Ordnance Survey Ireland & Government of Ireland, Meath 2013/31/CCMA NOTE - UNAUTHORISED REPRODUCTION OF THIS MAP INFRINGES STATE COPYRIGHT

Contact: Planning Department, Abbey Mall,, Abbey Road, Navan Co. Meath Tel: (046) 9097000 Fax: (046) 9097001 email@[email protected] Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019

Variation No.2 SEA Environmental Report Figure 14 Water Treatment Plants

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Ordnance Survey Ireland & Government of Ireland, Meath 2013/31/CCMA NOTE - UNAUTHORISED REPRODUCTION OF THIS MAP INFRINGES STATE COPYRIGHT

Contact: Planning Department, Abbey Mall,, Abbey Road, Navan Co. Meath Tel: (046) 9097000 Fax: (046) 9097001 email@[email protected] Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019

Variation No.2 SEA Environmental Report Figure 15 Waste Water Treatment Plants

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Ordnance Survey Ireland & Government of Ireland, Meath 2013/31/CCMA NOTE - UNAUTHORISED REPRODUCTION OF THIS MAP INFRINGES STATE COPYRIGHT

Contact: Planning Department, Abbey Mall,, Abbey Road, Navan Co. Meath Tel: (046) 9097000 Fax: (046) 9097001 email@[email protected] Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019

Variation No.2 SEA Environmental Report Figure 16 County Meath Cultural Heritage

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Ordnance Survey Ireland & Government of Ireland, Meath 2013/31/CCMA NOTE - UNAUTHORISED REPRODUCTION OF THIS MAP INFRINGES STATE COPYRIGHT

Contact: Planning Department, Abbey Mall,, Abbey Road, Navan Co. Meath Tel: (046) 9097000 Fax: (046) 9097001 email@[email protected] Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019

Variation No.2 SEA Environmental Report Figure 17 Landscape Character Areas & Sensitivities

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Source: Meath Landscape Character Assessment 2007 Note: Details shown on this map are for information purposes only Further details on any item should be clarified with Meath County Council. This map has been produced by Meath County Council with available Local Authority and Ordnance Survey base date.

Ordnance Survey Ireland & Government of Ireland, Meath 2013/31/CCMA NOTE - UNAUTHORISED REPRODUCTION OF THIS MAP INFRINGES STATE COPYRIGHT

Contact: Planning Department, Abbey Mall,, Abbey Road, Navan Co. Meath Tel: (046) 9097000 Fax: (046) 9097001 email@[email protected]