Planning-Appropriate Assessment: Waterford County Council

Appropriate Assessment

What is the procedure for carrying out AA?

Who prepares the Natura Impact Statement ?

How do I know if my planning application requires an AA ?

Appropriate Assessment is a legal requirement under planning and habitats legislation to assess the impacts of plans and development on sites that are protected for nature conservation. These sites are known as Natura 2000 sites and include Special Areas of Conservation designated for certain wildlife habitats and species and Special Protection Areas designation for birdlife habitats. There are nine SACs and six SPAs designated in County Waterford. The objective of AA is to assess the potential impacts from plans and development on Natura 2000 sites and ensure there will be no adverse impacts that may affect the conservation value of these areas.

What is the procedure for carrying out AA ?

The first stage is screening the application/plan to determine if there is potential for adverse impacts from the proposal on Natura 2000 sites. This is determined by the nature and scale of the development and proximity to a Natura 2000 site. The screening is carried out by the planning authority at the application stage by using an AA screening template. AA screening may show there is no potential for significant adverse impacts and no further action is required. If screening indicates there may be potential adverse impacts or not enough information is available to make a conclusive screening the planning authority may request submission by the applicant of a full appropriate assessment or a Natura Impact Statement to allow them to make an informed assessment of the application.

What is a Natura Impact Statement ?

A Natura Impact Statement is a type of ecological report prepared by a suitably qualified ecologist on the potential impacts from a proposed development on a SAC or SPA. The NIS should detail the site description of the relevant SAC/SPA and the conservation objectives for the site as described by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. These are available from www.npws.ie. The NIS should also detail the potential impacts on each of the habitats and species for which the site is designated and describe mitigation measures if there is potential for adverse impacts.

Who prepares the Natura Impact Statement ?

The planning authority will request the applicant to submit a NIS and this should be prepared by a suitably qualified ecologist who has expertise in the habitat type being assessed e.g. assessment of impacts on a SPA should be carried out by an ecologist with experience and knowledge of birdlife and their habitats while assessment of impacts on wetland sites and rivers may need input of hydrological expertise.

How do I know if my planning application requires an AA ?

Impacts on SACs and SPAs will be one of the issues highlighted at your pre-planning meeting with the planning authority and depending on the level of information available at this stage it may be clear whether a full AA is required or not. Otherwise, all planning applications are screened by the planning authority at application stage and based on this screening a request for further information involving submission of a Natura Impact Statement may issue from the Planning Authority. The information contained in the NIS will be used by the planning authority to assess your planning application and inform their final decision.

Where can I find out more information?

The National Parks and Wildlife Service website provides detailed information on all sites protected for nature conservation including boundary maps and data, site descriptions and site conservation objectives

The National Biodiversity Data Centre provides a comprehensive mapping and biological records data system where you can check for records of wildlife species in your area- www.biodiversityireland.ie

Downloads

AA Guidance (Adobe.pdf, 973 kbs)

Waterford Blank AA Assessment Screening Template (Adobe.pdf, 157 kbs)

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Planning Planning Weekly Lists 2012 Waterford County Development Plan 2011 - 2017 FAQs Conservation FAQs Tree Felling Licences How to View Planning Files Planning News Suir CFRAMS Have Your Say/Planning Public Notices Waterford County Development Plan 2005 - 2011 Taking in Charge Policy Development Contribution Scheme Site Suitability Panel Forms Final Publications Links Environmental Assessments Unfinished Housing Estates Quarries	Appropriate Assessment What is the procedure for carrying out AA? What is a Natura Impact Statement ? Who prepares the Natura Impact Statement ? How do I know if my planning application requires an AA ? Where can I find out more information? Appropriate Assessment is a legal requirement under planning and habitats legislation to assess the impacts of plans and development on sites that are protected for nature conservation. These sites are known as Natura 2000 sites and include Special Areas of Conservation designated for certain wildlife habitats and species and Special Protection Areas designation for birdlife habitats. There are nine SACs and six SPAs designated in County Waterford. The objective of AA is to assess the potential impacts from plans and development on Natura 2000 sites and ensure there will be no adverse impacts that may affect the conservation value of these areas. What is the procedure for carrying out AA ? The first stage is screening the application/plan to determine if there is potential for adverse impacts from the proposal on Natura 2000 sites. This is determined by the nature and scale of the development and proximity to a Natura 2000 site. The screening is carried out by the planning authority at the application stage by using an AA screening template. AA screening may show there is no potential for significant adverse impacts and no further action is required. If screening indicates there may be potential adverse impacts or not enough information is available to make a conclusive screening the planning authority may request submission by the applicant of a full appropriate assessment or a Natura Impact Statement to allow them to make an informed assessment of the application. What is a Natura Impact Statement ? A Natura Impact Statement is a type of ecological report prepared by a suitably qualified ecologist on the potential impacts from a proposed development on a SAC or SPA. The NIS should detail the site description of the relevant SAC/SPA and the conservation objectives for the site as described by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. These are available from www.npws.ie. The NIS should also detail the potential impacts on each of the habitats and species for which the site is designated and describe mitigation measures if there is potential for adverse impacts. Who prepares the Natura Impact Statement ? The planning authority will request the applicant to submit a NIS and this should be prepared by a suitably qualified ecologist who has expertise in the habitat type being assessed e.g. assessment of impacts on a SPA should be carried out by an ecologist with experience and knowledge of birdlife and their habitats while assessment of impacts on wetland sites and rivers may need input of hydrological expertise. How do I know if my planning application requires an AA ? Impacts on SACs and SPAs will be one of the issues highlighted at your pre-planning meeting with the planning authority and depending on the level of information available at this stage it may be clear whether a full AA is required or not. Otherwise, all planning applications are screened by the planning authority at application stage and based on this screening a request for further information involving submission of a Natura Impact Statement may issue from the Planning Authority. The information contained in the NIS will be used by the planning authority to assess your planning application and inform their final decision. Where can I find out more information? The National Parks and Wildlife Service website provides detailed information on all sites protected for nature conservation including boundary maps and data, site descriptions and site conservation objectives The National Biodiversity Data Centre provides a comprehensive mapping and biological records data system where you can check for records of wildlife species in your area- www.biodiversityireland.ie Downloads AA Guidance (Adobe.pdf, 973 kbs) Waterford Blank AA Assessment Screening Template (Adobe.pdf, 157 kbs)
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