Appropriate Assessment (Natura Impact Report Addendum)
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APPROPRIATE ASSESSMENT (NATURA IMPACT REPORT ADDENDUM) IN SUPPORT OF THE MATERIAL ALTERATIONS TO THE LONGFORD COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2015-2021 for: Longford County Council Great Water Street Longford County Longford by: CAAS Ltd. 2nd Floor, The Courtyard 25 Great Strand Street Dublin 1 OCTOBER 2014 Appropriate Assessment (Natura Impact Report Addendum) of Proposed Material Alterations to the draft Longford County Development Plan Table of Contents 1 Introduction and Background ............................................................................... 2 2 Stage 1 Screening ................................................................................................. 2 3 Stage 2 AA and Recommendations ..................................................................... 15 4 Conclusion ........................................................................................................... 16 List of Tables Table 2.1: Assessment of Potential Effects of Proposed Amendments to the LCDP on European sites ...... 3 CAAS Ltd. for Longford County Council i Appropriate Assessment (Natura Impact Report Addendum) of Proposed Material Alterations to the draft Longford County Development Plan 1 Introduction and Background This document presents the Appropriate Assessment (AA) of the Material Alterations to the Longford County Development Plan 2015 – 2021 (LCDP) as required for in the Planning and Development Act 2000 Section 13 (as amended) and in accordance with the relevant sections of the SEA Regulations 2004 and the Habitats Directive. It is an Addendum to the Appropriate Assessment Natura Impact Report of the draft Longford County Development Plan 2015-2021 and should be read in conjunction with this report as well as the Draft Plan, associated SEA Environmental Report1 and Proposed Material Alterations. 2 Stage 1 Screening 2.1 Description of the Material Alterations to the draft Plan 2.1.1 Draft County Development Plan The draft Longford County Development Plan 2015-2021 (LCDP) sets out an overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of the functional area of Longford County Council. The Plan presents Longford County Council’s outlook for future development of the County up to the period 2021. It also takes account of the longer term vision for the manner in which the County can be developed, while protecting and enhancing its environment through employing the principles of sustainable development in the policies and objectives set out therein. The draft Plan builds on the strategies, policies and objectives of the Longford CDP 2009-2015, taking into account recent key development trends and national, regional and local policy developments. In particular, it also takes account of the increased emphasis on flooding, climate change, renewable energy and the need to support economic development. It also takes account of EU requirements including the application of SEA and AA to the draft Plan. The draft Plan has been prepared by Longford County Council and comprises of a written document with maps, and various appendices. 2.1.2 Material Alterations to the draft Plan The proposed material alterations to the draft Longford County Development Plan (LCDP) comprise changes to the draft Plan’s text as well as amendments to aims, policies, and objectives of the draft Plan. There are also a number of new policies and objectives proposed for inclusion in the draft Plan. Only proposed Material Alterations which comprise or affect Plan provisions (e.g. aims, policies, objectives) come under the scope of this assessment. Proposed Material Alterations which involve changes to other parts of the Plan (e.g. text which sets the context for policies and objectives but does not interact with these provisions) are not included within the scope of this assessment. The proposed alterations to the policies and objectives of the draft Plan and an assessment of potential impacts on the Natura 2000 network of sites are presented in Table 2.1. 1 http://www.longfordcoco.ie/coco_content.aspx?id=28098 CAAS Ltd. for Longford County Council 2 Appropriate Assessment (Natura Impact Report Addendum) of Proposed Material Alterations to the draft Longford County Development Plan 2.2 AA Screening of Proposed Material Alterations to the LCDP This section considers each of the proposed Material Alterations to determine whether potential effects on European sites within 15km of the plan’s remit could arise. Each proposed amendment to the text of the Plan is outlined in Table 2.1 and a determination made as to whether each amendment could potentially lead to an effect on the integrity of the Natura 2000 network of sites within the study area. Should it be determined that any amendment, if unmitigated, could potentially impact (directly, indirectly, or cumulatively) on European sites within the study area, then Stage II AA would be required. Table 2.1: Assessment of Potential Effects of Proposed Amendments to the LCDP on European sites Material Alterations AA Screening Key: Draft Plan text is shown in black text, proposed additions to the text are shown in red text and proposed deletions are identified in red text with strikethrough. Chapter 2 Development Plan Strategy The following aim will be inserted and prioritised at Section 2.1.2; No potential for impacts on European sites to arise due to this To provide alignment and integration between strategic planning and settlement policy proposed alteration. and the prioritisation of physical infrastructure investment. Such an alteration would therefore not necessitate Stage 2 AA. Aim CS 3 will read as follows; No potential for impacts on European sites to arise due to this The Settlement Strategy aims to create vibrant and thriving urban and rural communities, proposed alteration. firmly rooted in the concepts of sustainability and maintaining a high quality of life. The extensive village network shall be used to support rural communities through the Such an alteration would provision of neighbourhood level facilities, community services and social functions, and therefore not necessitate Stage 2 transport initiatives will be promoted in order to enhance links between settlements and AA. their rural hinterland in order to ensure that rural areas benefit from a strengthened town and village structure. Development shall be commensurate with the level of infrastructural provision anticipated over the lifetime of the plan (see infrastructural section – programme of works). Aim CS1 at Section 2.1.6.2 will read as follows; No potential for impacts on CS1: European sites to arise due to this The Council shall continue to support the strengthening of the urban and village network proposed alteration. throughout the County in accordance with the hierarchy outlined in the following sections and supported by the Regional Planning Guidelines, Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines Such an alteration does not and Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas, issued by the DECLG. necessitate Stage 2 AA. Development priority will be accorded to Longford Town in order to fulfil its role as a Principal Town within the five town polycentric model for the region and targeted growth directed to other urban settlements supporting the expansion of linkages with the Border and West Regions. Chapter 3 Housing An additional point at Policy HOU DS 7 will be inserted as follows; The addition of this point is likely to benefit the protection of the The Council shall facilitate and promote the provision of a network of green infrastructure Natura 2000 network within the serving the settlement hierarchy and its environs. county by providing for ecological connectivity in the wider county. Such an alteration does not necessitate Stage 2 AA. HOU RUR 9: ACCESS AND VEHICULAR CIRCULATION No potential for impacts on Sight lines shall be provided in accordance with the requirements of the NRA Design European sites to arise due to this Manual for Roads & Bridges (DMRB) Road Geometry Handbook (and/or subsequent proposed alteration. update) or suitable alternative to be agreed with the Roads Department on a site by site Such an alteration does not basis. The applicant shall demonstrate that adequate sightlines are achievable in each necessitate Stage 2 AA. CAAS Ltd. for Longford County Council 3 Appropriate Assessment (Natura Impact Report Addendum) of Proposed Material Alterations to the draft Longford County Development Plan Material Alterations AA Screening Key: Draft Plan text is shown in black text, proposed additions to the text are shown in red text and proposed deletions are identified in red text with strikethrough. direction along the public road from the proposed access to the new development. Where the achievement of these sightlines requires the maintenance/removal of hedgerows/ditches/boundaries that are not in the ownership of the applicant, a signed letter of agreement allowing such maintenance/removal should be obtained form the relevant landowner and submitted as part of the application for planning permission. HOU DS 6. No potential for impacts on In accordance with national policy, planning permission will not normally be granted to European sites to arise due to this new developments on national routes unless in exceptional circumstances. The following proposed alteration. criteria shall be used in determining whether an application constitutes “Exceptional Circumstances”: Such an alteration does not i. The compatibility of the proposal with the Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines necessitate Stage 2