EIA Screening Report
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April 2021 EIA Screening Report Proposed Strategic Housing Development at Kellehers Auto Centre, Wilton Road, Victoria Cross, Bishopstown, Cork April 2021 Prepared on behalf of Bellmount Developments Limited www.mhplanning.ie DUBLIN CORK Kreston House, Arran Court 6 Joyce House, Barrack Square Arran Quay, Dublin 7 Ballincollig, Co. Cork D07 K271 P31 YX97 T. +353 (0) 1 804 4477 T. +353 (0)21 420 8710 E. [email protected] E. [email protected] Contents 1.0 Introduction...................................................................................................................... 3 1.1 Brief Description of the Proposed Development.............................................................................3 1.2 Pre-application Process ...................................................................................................................4 2.0 Legislative Context........................................................................................................... 5 2.1 Methodology ...................................................................................................................................5 2.2 Requirement for Mandatory EIA ......................................................................................................5 2.3 Screening for Sub-threshold EIA ......................................................................................................6 3.0 Information Required by Annex II(A) of 2014/52/EU...................................................... 8 3.1 Physical Characteristics of the whole project and demolition works ..............................................8 3.1.1 Project Description .....................................................................................................................................................9 3.1.2 Cumulation with other Existing &/or Approved Plans and Projects.........................................................................10 3.1.3 Nature of any demolition works .............................................................................................................................. 11 3.1.4 The use of natural resources, in particular land, soil, water and biodiversity......................................................... 12 3.1.5 The production of waste ..........................................................................................................................................12 3.1.6 Pollution and nuisances ...........................................................................................................................................13 3.1.7 The risk of accidents, having regard to substances or technologies used............................................................... 14 3.1.8 Risk to Human Health ..............................................................................................................................................15 3.2 Location of the Project, with regard to Environmental Sensitivities of Geographical Areas Likely to be affected................................................................................................................................................16 3.2.1 The existing and approved land use ........................................................................................................................ 16 3.2.2 The Relative abundance, quality and regenerative capacity of natural resources in the area................................ 17 3.2.3 The absorption capacity of the natural environment, paying particular attention to the following areas:.............17 4.0 Screening Determination................................................................................................ 21 4.1.1 Characteristics of Potential Impacts ......................................................................................................................... 21 4.1.2 Cumulative Impacts..................................................................................................................................................23 4.1.3 Residual Impacts ...................................................................................................................................................... 23 5.0 Conclusion...................................................................................................................... 23 Appendix A Information Checklist based on “Environmental Impact Assessment of Projects Guidance on Screening (EU, 2017).......................................................................................... 24 EIA Screening | April 2021 | 2 1.0 Introduction Bellmount Developments Limited, intends to apply for permission to An Bord Pleanála for a strategic housing development comprising 40 no. student apartments consisting of 243 no. bed spaces and all ancillary site works at a site at Wilton Road, Victoria Cross, Bishopstown, Cork. The application will be made under the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016. The purpose of this Screening Report is to provide supporting information to assist the competent authority, in this instance An Bord Pleanála, to determine whether an Environmental Impact Assessment of the proposed development is required. This Screening for EIA Report has been prepared by qualified and accredited experts as follows; Cora Savage holds a Masters in Planning and Sustainable Development from University College Cork. Cora has extensive experience in the preparation of EIA Screening and Scoping reports and works as part of multi- disciplinary teams providing input to Environmental Impact Assessment Reports. Emer Sexton holds a Masters in Planning and Sustainable Development from University College Cork and a MSc in Ecology from the University of Wales. Emer has extensive experience of preparing EIA Screening and Scoping reports and works as part of multi-disciplinary teams providing input to Environmental Impact Assessment Reports. The criteria for determining whether development listed in Part 2 of Schedule 5 should be subject to an EIA are set out under Schedule 7. The information to be provided by the applicant or developer for the purposes of screening sub-threshold development for environmental impact assessment is set out under Schedule 7A of the Planning and Development Regulations, 2001, as amended by the 2018 Regulations. Paragraph 4 of Schedule 7A requires that: ‘The compilation of the information at paragraphs 1 to 3 shall take into account, where relevant, the criteria set out in Schedule 7.’ In this report, the information has been set out under the more detailed headings provided for under Schedule 7. In effect, this ensures that all of the information required under Schedule 7A has been furnished. It also presents the information in a manner that facilitates the competent authority in its screening assessment. 1.1 Brief Description of the Proposed Development The proposed SHD will comprise the following; . The demolition of existing structures on site; and . The construction of 40 no. student accommodation apartments (ranging in size from single bed studio apartments to 8-bed apartments) comprising a total of 243 no. bed spaces and ranging in height from 5 to 10 storeys; . Student amenity facilities including student amenity space, 2 no. study rooms, media area, games area, ICT room and laundry room; . The provision of landscaping and amenity areas including a courtyard space, a riverfront amenity and 2 no. rooftop terraces; . The provision of a bus stop, a set down area, 1 no. access point and footpaths on Victoria Cross Road; and . All associated ancillary development including pedestrian/cyclist facilities, lighting, drainage, boundary treatments, bin and bicycle storage, ESB Sub-station and plant at ground and roof top levels. EIA Screening | April 2021 | 3 1.2 Pre-application Process Section 5(5)(iii) of the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 requires that prior to entering into consultations with An Bord Pleanála a prospective applicant shall include in their written request: “a brief description of the nature and purpose of the development and of its possible effects on the environment.” In accordance with S.5(5)(iii) a report was submitted as part of the pre-application consultation documentation which provided a brief description of the nature and purpose of the development and of its possible effects on the environment and also the possible effects on any European Site. The assessment concluded that possible significant negative effects on the environment, without appropriate mitigation measures in place, were likely to include; . Increased demand on recreation and amenity services; . Population growth resulting in waste infrastructure, incapable of meeting demand, shortages of water supply and poor potable water quality. Physical removal of habitat. Increased water usage from the development impacting on water supply resources. Increased sewage discharge to public sewer and municipal sewage treatment plant. Construction traffic resulting in traffic congestion to the local road network. Potential noise impacts during construction and operation. Potential reduction in air quality during construction. The potential impacts on the environment are assessed in the following sections. With proposed mitigation measures in place, it is not anticipated that any of the above will have a significant negative effect on the environment. The most significant positive effects on the environment