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STAGE 1- APPROPRIATE ASSESSMENT
SCREENING CONCLUSION & STATEMENT
FOR
PROPOSED VARIATION NO . 2 OF THE NENAGH TOWN &
ENVIRONS DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2013 (AS VARIED)
Streame Rezoning & Identification as Opportunity Site No. 7
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF
ARTICLE 6(3) OF THE EU HABITATS DIRECTIVE
SEPTEMBER 2017
AA Screening Conclusion and Statement
reening Conclusion and Statement – Variation No. 2 Nenagh Town & Environs Development Plan 2013
Page 1 of 13
Nenagh Town & Environs Development Plan 2013 (as varied)
AA Screening Conclusion and Statement – Variation No. 2 Nenagh Town & Environs Development Plan 2013 (as varied)
Page 2 of 13
Contents
Section 1: Introduction ........................... ............................................................................ 3
1.1 Variation of the Plan ................................................................................................ 4
1.2 Relationship with other Plans and Programmes ...................................................... 5
Section 2: Stage 1 AA Screening ................... .................................................................... 5
2.1 Description of plan and local site or plan area characteristics ................................. 5
2.2 Identification of relevant Natura 2000 Sites, & compilation of information on their
qualifying interests & conservation objectives. ................................................................... 6
2.3 Assessment of likely effects – Direct, indirect and cumulative – undertaken on the
basis of available information ............................................................................................. 8
Section 3: Consulatation with the NPWS ............ .............................................................. 9
Section 4: Conclusion & STATEMENT ................. ............................................................. 9
Appendix 1 MAP OF NATURA 2000 SITES IN RELATION TO NENAGH ... ................ 11
AA Screening Conclusion and Statement – Variation No. 2 Nenagh Town & Environs Development Plan 2013 (as varied)
Page 3 of 13
SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION
This is the Appropriate Assessment (AA) Screening Conclusion prepared by Tipperary County Council (the Council) for:
Proposed Variation No. 2 of the Nenagh Town & Envir ons Development Plan 2013 (as varied) –Streame rezoning and Identificati on as Opportunity Site No. 7.
Its purpose is to determine, on the basis of a preliminary assessment and objective
criteria, whether a plan or programme, alone and in combination with other plans,
programmes or projects, could have significant effects on a Natura 2000 site in view
of the site’s conservation objectives.
The Council is required to consider the possible nature conservation implications of
any plan or project in (combination with other plans and projects) on the Natura
2000 site network before any decision is made to allow that plan or project to
proceed. Consideration must be had to Article 6 (3) and (4) of European Union (EU)
Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild
fauna and flora, is commonly known as the ‘Habitats Directive’, which is
implemented in Ireland through the European Communities (Natural Habitats)
Regulations of 1997. The EU Birds Directive (2009/147/EC) is also applicable.
The legal basis on which Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) are selected and
designated is the EU Habitats Directive, transposed into Irish law in 1998 and 2005.
The Directive lists certain habitats and species that must be protected within SACs.
Irish habitats include raised bogs, blanket bogs, turloughs, sand dunes, machair (flat
sandy plains on the north and west coasts), heaths, lakes, rivers, woodlands,
estuaries and sea inlets. Ireland is also required under the terms of the EU Birds
Directive (2009/147/EC) to designate Special Protection Areas (SPAs) for the
protection of endangered species of wild birds. Listed rare and vulnerable species,
regularly occurring migratory species, such as ducks, geese and waders. Wetlands,
especially those of international importance, which attract large numbers of migratory
birds each year. SACs and SPAs are collectively known as Natura 2000 sites.
The AA Screening Report was issued to the National Parks and Wildlife Service
(NPWS) Section of the Department for Communications, Climate Action and
AA Screening Conclusion and Statement – Variation No. 2 Nenagh Town & Environs Development Plan 2013 (as varied)
Page 4 of 13
Environment and should be read in conjunction with the SEA Screening
Determination prepared for the proposed Variation No 2 of the Nenagh Town &
Environs Development Plan 2013 (as varied) (the proposed Variation).
It is stated in the ‘Guidance on Appropriate Assessment for Planning Authorities’,
DoEHLG (2009), that in order to ensure that AA is properly integrated into the plan-
making process and within the relevant timeframes, it is essential to carry out AA
screening in advance of the start of the statutory preparation/review process for the
proposed Variation and as the plan is amended through the review process it will be
necessary to carry out AA screening at every stage of the planning process. The AA
screening report should therefore be read in conjunction with the SEA screening
report prepared for proposed Variation No. 2, and with any review of both documents
as the plan making processes proceeds.
1.1 Variation of the Plan
The proposed Variation is being prepared in accordance with Section 13 of the
Planning and Development Acts 2000, as amended. The proposed variation will form
part of the Nenagh Town & Environs Development Plan 2013.
The subject lands at Streame measure approximately 39ha and are currently zoned
for residential, commercial and amenity purposes in the Nenagh Town and Environs
Development Plan 2013 (as varied). The lands are partially developed and contain
an unfinished housing estate, crèche, nursing home, offices, light industrial units and
retail warehousing. The purpose of the Variation is to consolidate the residential,
amenity and commercial opportunities on the lands and identify the area as an
Opportunity Site with specific qualitative objectives to facilitate the potential of the
site as a multi-use campus.
The variation consists of amendments to the Zoning Map and a new section will be
incorporated into ‘Appendix 2 Opportunity Sites’ of the Development Plan. The
overall affect of the variation will be the promotion of the area as a cohesive area for
development with appropriate guidance to this effect. No changes are proposed to
the overall area to be developed and the space to be dedicated to amenity shall be
increased. It is expected that the future development of the site will occur on a
phased based in line with guidance set out.
AA Screening Conclusion and Statement – Variation No. 2 Nenagh Town & Environs Development Plan 2013 (as varied)
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1.2 Relationship with other Plans and Programmes
The Nenagh Town & Environs Development Plan 2013, (as varied) is the statutory
planning policy document for the Plan Area and sits alongside the North Tipperary
County Development Plan 2010, as Varied. The Plan complies with the policies and
objectives of National & Regional Plans for the area. There are no local area plans
applicable to the Nenagh Town & Environs Area. The intended Variation will
positively enforce the Strategic Objectives already set out in the Plan.
SECTION 2: STAGE 1 AA SCREENING
AA Screening was undertaken in accordance with:
• The Habitats Directive, consideration must be had to Article 6 (3) and (4) of
the European Union (EU) Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of
natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora.
• The Guidelines for Planning Authorities for Appropriate Assessment of Plans
and Projects in Ireland.
2.1 Description of plan and local site or plan area characteristics
The Variation focuses on the rezoning of lands at Streame, Nenagh and the
identification of same as an Opportunity Site. The lands at Streame provide an
opportunity to identify this underdeveloped landbank as a multi use campus at the
edge of Nenagh town. The lands are currently zoned for commercial, residential and
amenity purposes. The purpose of the rezoning is to consolidate the different land
uses on site and facilitate the completion of development at this location subject to
specific qualitative objectives.
AA Screening Conclusion and Statement – Variation No. 2 Nenagh Town & Environs Development Plan 2013 (as varied)
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Figure 1 OPPORTUNITY SITE 2.2 Identification of relevant Natura 2000 Sites, & compilation of information
on their qualifying interests & conservation object ives.
Nenagh is located in the north of the county and no part of the plan area is directly
located within an SAC or a SPA. Lough Derg Shannon SPA is the closest at a
distance of approximately 6.9km west of the site area. Given the distances involved,
the fact there is no aquatic link with SACs and the urban nature of the site it is not
likely that the implementation of the Plan would impact on any Natura 2000 site.
(Refer to Appendix 1 below)
AA Screening Conclusion and Statement – Variation No. 2 Nenagh Town & Environs Development Plan 2013 (as varied)
Page 7 of 13
Site
Code
Site Name Location QIs / SCIs
Sites within 5km Buffer
None
Sites within10km -15km Buffer
4058 Long Derg
Shannon SPA
The SPA occurs
within County
Tipperary.
Common Tern, three waterbird
species and wetland habitat.
4165 Slievefelim to
Silvermines
Mountains SPA
The SPA occurs
within County
Tipperary.
Hen Harrier
0939 Silvermine
Mountains SAC
cSAC is located
within County
Tipperary
Species-rich nardus upland
grassland*
Wet heath
1197 Keeper Hill SAC cSAC is located
within County
Tipperary
Blanket bog (active)*
Species-rich nardus upland
grassland*
Wet heath
2241 Lough Derg,
North-East Shore
SAC
cSAC is located
within County
Tipperary
Alkaline fens
Cladium fen*
Juniper scrub
Limestone pavement*
Residual alluvial forests*
AA Screening Conclusion and Statement – Variation No. 2 Nenagh Town & Environs Development Plan 2013 (as varied)
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Site
Code
Site Name Location QIs / SCIs
Taxus baccata woods*
2124 Bolingbrook Hill
SAC
cSAC is located
within County
Tipperary
Dry heaths
Species-rich nardus upland
grassland*
Wet heath
2258 Silvermines
Mountains West
SAC
cSAC is located
within County
Tipperary
Dry heaths
Wet heath
2.3 Assessment of likely effects – Direct, indirect and cumulative –
undertaken on the basis of available information
2.3.1 Is the Plan Necessary to the Management of Eu ropean Sites?
Under the Habitats Directive, Plans that are directly connected with or necessary to
the management of a European site do not require AA. For this exception to apply,
management is required to be interpreted narrowly as nature conservation
management in the sense of Article 6(1) of the Habitats Directive. This refers to
specific measures to address the ecological requirements of annexed habitats and
species (and their habitats) present on a site(s). The relationship should be shown to
be direct and not a by-product of the plan, even if this might result in positive or
beneficial effects for a site (s).
The primary purpose of the proposed variation is to rezone lands at Streame and the
identification of same as an Opportunity Site. The lands are currently zoned in the
Nenagh Town & Environs Development Plan 2013. Therefore, the proposed
Variation is not considered to be directly connected with or necessary to the
management of European designated sites.
AA Screening Conclusion and Statement – Variation No. 2 Nenagh Town & Environs Development Plan 2013 (as varied)
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2.3.2 Elements of the Proposed Variation with Poten tial to Give Rise to
Significant Effects
Direct, Indirect or Secondary Impacts
The Nenagh Town & Environs Development Plan 2013 has previously been subject
to Strategic Environment Assessment and Habitats Directive Assessment. This
variation proposes no new zonings to the Streame area but a reconfiguration of
zonings to consolidate the development opportunities at this area. Furthermore, all
development will be subject to EIA/AA screening processes and Environmental
Impact Statements and Natura Impact Statements will be requested, as appropriate
to inform the assessment by the Planning Authority.
SECTION 3: CONSULATATION WITH THE NPWS
This AA screening report (and the SEA screening report) was issued to the National
Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Section of the Department for Communications,
Climate Action and Environment.
Date Received Response from NPWS
N/a None received
Comments were received from the other statutory consultees, these are addressed
in the SEA Screening Determination.
SECTION 4: CONCLUSION & STATEMENT
The requirement for Stage 2 AA for the proposed Variation would arise if the
proposed Variation were determined as having potential or uncertain effects on the
integrity of the network of designated ecological sites known as Natura 2000. This
screening assessment evaluates the proposed Variation in order to determine if it
needs to be the subject of a Stage 2 AA.
This Screening assessment has determined and identified existing and potential
effects of the proposed Variation on the Natura 2000 site relevant to the Plan area.
AA Screening Conclusion and Statement – Variation No. 2 Nenagh Town & Environs Development Plan 2013 (as varied)
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The baseline environment and risks to the safeguarding of the Natura 2000 network
have been considered along with the scale and nature of the proposed Variation. In
addition, it is noted that all lower level projects arising through the implementation of
the proposed Variation will themselves be subject to AA when further details of
design and location are known. Having consideration to:
• The existing SEA and AA processes carried out for the Nenagh Town &
Environs Development Plan 2013 (as varied).
• The proposed Variation supports and underpins the significance, relevance
and intent of existing policies and objectives of the Nenagh Town and
Environs Development Plan 2013 (as varied) regarding the protection of the
cultural and natural environment.
• All future development proposals will be screened for EIA and AA, whereby
environmental considerations will be fully taken into account and integrated
into the decision making process.
• Mitigation measures incorporated in the existing Nenagh Town & Environs
Development Plan 2013 (as varied) will be carried forward in the planning
framework for the lands at Streame.
It is concluded that the proposed Variation poses no risk of a significant effect on the
Natura 2000 site network and as such requires no further assessment. Therefore, in
accordance with the methodological guidance on the provision of Article 6(3) and (4)
of the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC, it is concluded that there is no potential for
significant effects and the proposed Variation does not require any further
assessment to demonstrate compliance with the Directive.
AA Screening Conclusion and Statement – Variation No. 2 Nenagh Town & Environs Development Plan 2013 (as varied)
Page 11 of 13
APPENDIX 1 MAP OF NATURA 2000 SITES IN RELATION TO NENAGH
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