Development Plan Planning authorities must indicate objectives for the conservation and protection of the environment, including, but not limited to designated natural heritage areas, and European sites (SACs SPAs plus others) in their development plans. Local authorities must have regard to the implication of any proposed development for which planning permission is sought on a European site or natural heritage […]
Special Amenity Area There are a number of types of enhanced Planning Act protections, which a local authority may adopt in respect of particular areas. An area of special amenity designation is designed to secure the preservation and enhancement of the character and special features of an area. The planning authority may designate an area to be an area of […]
Habitats Directive The EU Habitats Directive provides for a network of special areas of conservation and for special protection areas. The sites are designated by the Department under a procedure. Sites can be added. Many of the restrictions and controls that apply to a designated site also apply to some types of proposed sites. The Habitats Directive required the Member […]
Natural Heritage Areas Under the wildlife legislation, there is a provision for designation as a nature reserve and natural heritage area. All public bodies are obliged to consult with the Minister for the Environment before determining matters which are likely to affect a nature reserve or a national heritage area. A Natural Heritage Area is an area worthy of conservation […]
Identification of sites Areas that have been or that may be proposed for nature conservation are identified using: Previously existing knowledge, such as the list of Areas of Scientific Interest compiled in the 1970s; Various publications on important bird areas in Ireland and other surveys; The Natural Heritage Area (NHA) survey, carried out from 1991-1994; Continuing surveys and site visits […]
State Obligations A Natura site refers to a site covered under the Habitats and Birds Directives which provide for special areas of conservation (habitats) and special protection areas (birds). Over 60o such sites in the Republic of Ireland cover 13% of the country’s land area. In common with other EU legislation, the Habitats and Birds Directive bind the State. Natura […]
Requirement for EIS An environmental impact assessment must be carried out by the planning authority or the Board, as the case may be, in respect of an application for consent for proposed development where either the proposed development would be of a class specified or where the planning authority or the Board, as the case may be, determines that the […]
EIA Foreshore EIA of development on the foreshore is regulated under the Foreshore Acts. EIA requirements have been integrated into consent. A lease or licence must be obtained from the Minister for the Communications and Natural Resources under the Act for development on State foreshore. Development consisting of the erection of any building, pier, wall or other permanent structure on […]
Natura Site Impact A Natura site is on covered under the habitats and wildlife directives which provide for special areas of conservation (habitats) and special protection areas (birds). They are described in the Irish legislation as European sites. Development which directly or indirectly affects a Natura / European site (or, in some cases, a proposed site) is subject to special […]
Screening for EIA Screening determination for environmental impact assessment’ means a determination made as part of a screening for environmental impact assessment; as to whether a proposed development would be likely to have significant effects on the environment, and if the development would be likely to have such effects, that an environmental impact assessment is required. Where a proposed development […]
Original 2010 Version Because of the requirements of European Union law retention permission is not permitted where development requires an environmental impact assessment. The 2010 legislation provided for a substitute consent procedure which would apply in exceptional circumstances. Leave was required from an Bord Pleanala in order to make an application for substitute consent. The Board may grant leave if […]