Appendix 7 Appropriate Assessment

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Section 1 Introduction 

1.1 Background 


This Natura Impact Report (NIR) has been prepared in support of the Appropriate Assessment (AA) of the Draft Wicklow County Development Plan 2021-2027 in accordance with the requirements of Article 6(3) of Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora (as amended) (hereafter referred to as the “Habitats Directive”). 

This report is part of the ongoing AA process that is being undertaken alongside the preparation of the Plan. It will be considered, alongside other documentation prepared as part of this process, when Wicklow County Council finalises the AA at adoption of the Plan. 

1.2 Legislative Context 

The Habitats Directive provides legal protection for habitats and species of European importance. The overall aim of the Habitats Directive is to maintain or restore the “favourable conservation status” of habitats and species of European Community Interest. These habitats and species are listed in the Habitats and Birds Directives (Council Directive 2009/147/EC on the conservation of wild birds) with Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) designated to afford protection to the most vulnerable of them. These two designations are collectively known as European Sites (also known as Natura 2000 sites).  

AA is required by the Habitats Directive, as transposed into Irish legislation by the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (as amended) and the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). AA is an assessment of the potential for adverse or negative effects of a plan or project, in combination with other plans or projects, on the conservation objectives of a European Site. These sites consist of SACs and SPAs and provide for the protection and long-term survival of Europe’s most valuable and threatened species and habitats. 

1.3 Approach 

The AA is based on best scientific knowledge and has utilised ecological and hydrological expertise. In addition, a detailed online review of published scientific literature and grey literature1 was conducted. This included a detailed review of the National Parks and Wildlife (NPWS) website including mapping and available reports for relevant sites and in particular sensitive qualifying interests/special conservation interests described and their conservation objectives (including spatial data collected for the most recent Article 17 conservation status reporting cycle, 2019).  

In addition to being informed by these reports, the Natura impact Report was also informed by the Council’s new Draft County Development Plan 2021-2027 and accompanying the SEA Environmental Report and the Council’s current County Development Plan 2016-2022 and associated SEA Environmental Report and AA Natura Impact Report. 

All of these data sources are likely to be useful for AAs that must be undertaken for lower-tier plans/projects under the Plan.  

 

Continue reading Appendix 7 Natura Impact Report. Download PDF

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