Ballinasloe Local Area Plan 2015-2021 Strategic Environmental Assessment- Non Technical Report Forward Planning Galway County Council November 2015 Please Note the Strategic Environmental Assessment Non-Technical Report has been updated as a result of the adoption of the Ballinasloe Local Area Plan 2015-2021 TABLE OF CONTENTS Section 1 Introduction .................................................................................................. 4 1.1 Background .................................................................................................................................... 4 1.2 What is a non-technical summary? ............................................................................................... 4 1.3 Legislation and Policy Compliance ................................................................................................ 4 1.4 Ballinasloe LAP Area ..................................................................................................................... 4 1.5 Structure of the Ballinasloe LAP .................................................................................................... 5 1.6 Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Environmental Report ...................................... 6 1.7 Appropriate Assessment................................................................................................................ 6 1.8 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment .................................................................................................. 6 Section 2 Methodology ................................................................................................ 8 2.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 8 Section 3 Baseline Environment .................................................................................. 9 3.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 9 3.2 Biodiversity,Flora and Fauna ......................................................................................................... 9 3.2.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 9 3.2.2 Existing Environmental Problems ................................................................................................ 10 3.2.3 Inter-relationship with Other Environmental Parameters ............................................................. 10 3.3 Population & Human Health ........................................................................................................ 12 3.3.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 12 3.3.2 Existing Problems ........................................................................................................................ 13 3.3.3 Inter-relationship with Other Environmental Parameters ............................................................. 13 3.4 Soil and Geology ......................................................................................................................... 13 3.4.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 13 3.4.2 Geology and Sites of Geological Interest .................................................................................... 13 3.4.3 Eskers .......................................................................................................................................... 14 3.4.4 Existing Problems ........................................................................................................................ 14 3.4.5 Inter-relationships with Other Environmental Parameters ........................................................... 14 3.5 Water ........................................................................................................................................... 14 3.5.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 14 3.5.2 Ground Waters ........................................................................................................................... 15 3.5.3 Flooding ...................................................................................................................................... 15 3.5.4 Existing Problems ...................................................................................................................... 15 3.5.5 Inter-relationships with Other Environmental Parameters ......................................................... 16 3.6 Air and Climatic Factors............................................................................................................... 16 3.6.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 16 3.6.2 Radon Gas ................................................................................................................................... 16 3.6.3 Noise ............................................................................................................................................ 16 1 3.6.4 Climatic Factors ........................................................................................................................... 16 3.6.5 Existing Problems ........................................................................................................................ 17 3.6.6 Inter-relationships with Other Environmental Parameters ......................................................... 17 3.7 Material Assets ............................................................................................................................ 17 3.7.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 17 3.7.2 Waste Water Treatment Infrastructure ..................................................................................... 17 3.7.3 Sludge Management Plan ........................................................................................................... 18 3.7.4 Surface Water Drainage .............................................................................................................. 18 3.7.5 Drinking Water Supply, Capacity and Demand ........................................................................... 18 3.7.7 Transport ..................................................................................................................................... 18 3.7.8 Energy/Renewable Energy and Telecommunications Infrastructure .......................................... 19 3.7.9 Licenced Facilities ....................................................................................................................... 19 3.7.10 Existing Problems ........................................................................................................................ 19 3.7.11 Inter-relationships with Other Environmental Parameters ......................................................... 19 3.8 Cultural Heritage .......................................................................................................................... 19 3.8.1 Record of Monuments and Places ........................................................................................... 19 3.8.2 Architectural Heritage .................................................................................................................. 19 3.8.3 Record of Protected Structures ................................................................................................... 19 3.8.4 Architectural Conservation Areas ................................................................................................ 20 3.8.5 Existing Problems ........................................................................................................................ 20 3.8.6 Inter-relationships with other Environmental Parameters .......................................................... 20 3.9 Landscape ................................................................................................................................... 20 3.9.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 20 3.9.2 Landscape Character Assessment .............................................................................................. 20 3.9.3 Landscape Character Areas ........................................................................................................ 21 3.9.4 Landscape Values ....................................................................................................................... 21 3.9.5 Landscape Sensitivity Classes .................................................................................................... 21 3.9.6 Focal Points and Views ............................................................................................................... 21 3.9.7 Existing Problems .......................................................................................................................