Development plan · Cork County Council
Cork County Development Plan 2022–2028 – Volume One: Main Policy Material
The council's development plan written statement: its strategy, policies, objectives and development standards. Variations adopted since are not in this text.
Cork County Council · 2022–2028 · 564 pages
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- 311 County Development Plan Objective ET 13-26: Whiddy Island Safeguard and support the strategic role and function of Whiddy Island oil terminal and associated storage facilities in meeting the future energy needs of the county and the state. County Development Plan Objective ET 13-27: Carbon Emissions reduction a) To reduce carbon emissions in the county by achieving national, regional and any potential county targets to progress the national targets as set out in the Climate Action Plan (2021). b) To seek to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by promoting energy efficiency and the development of renewable energy sources utilising the natural resources of County Cork in an environmentally sustainable manner consistent with best practice and planning principles. 13.18 Communications and Digital Connectivity 13.8.1 Access to high quality digital and mobile telecommunications infrastructure is critical to the social and economic wellbeing of communities and can support the revitalisation of towns, villages and rural areas. Developments in digital, information and communications technology continue to fundamentally change how our society and economy functions. The relational proximity of all locations will improve with advances in technology. To optimise the opportunities from smart technology, access to high-speed, high capacity digital and communications infrastructure needs to improve across the County. 13.8.2 The Council recognises the provision of a modern, efficient communications system and digital connectivity is essential for the economic development of the region and supports the development of the new Smart Region and Smart Technology initiatives that are coming on stream in urban and rural areas. Enhanced digital connectivity and the roll out of smart technologies can improve quality of life by offering new choices in services, education, employment, entertainment, communications, mobility etc. 13.8.3 While the importance of telecommunications infrastructure is acknowledged, it is equally as important that the landscape, both urban and rural, are considered and protected from any significant impact caused by such infrastructure. Visual impact should be minimal in the landscape and therefore, telecommunications infrastructure will be subject to a Visual Impact Assessment. Environmental, heritage and ecological impacts of any such infrastructure will also be assessed in accordance with standard Council policies and procedures. Broadband 13.18.4 In November 2019, the government signed a contract for the National Broadband Plan (NBP) with an ambitious aim to deliver high speed broadband services to all premises in Ireland. The NBP will deliver this through a combination of private industry investment and a State intervention (known as the Intervention Strategy) in those parts of the country where private companies have no plans to invest. Up to 146,000km of fibre will be deployed as part of the State intervention, delivering high speed broadband to over 1.1million people, in approximately 540,000 premises across the country. This investment, along with private sector investment means that by 2026 all premises in Ireland will have access to high speed broadband, positioning Ireland as one of the top countries in the world to achieve universal access. 13.18.5 The initial phases of the National Broadband Plan are currently being rolled out nationally with Broadband Connection Points being provided at key locations within rural communities providing early access to high speed broadband. In Cork, there are approximately 78,695 premises in the State Intervention Area that potentially can benefit from this Plan. Furthermore, there are approximately 23 locations identified for a Broadband Connection Point during 2020 consisting of community centres, schools, library hubs and local GAA halls that will be connected to high speed broadband, to enable communities to quickly get free public access to high speed broadband. 13.18.6 The Department of Communications, Climate Action & Environment is implementing a regional broadband programme called Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs). The aim of MANs is to provide high speed, open access broadband networks in association with the local and regional authorities in major towns and cities. In Cork, MAN 1 serves Cork City with 19 different providers on the City MAN and there are around a dozen MANs in Cork County. The MANs are independently managed, maintained and operated for the State by a Management Services Entity (MSE), ‘ENET’. GO TO CONTENTS
- 312 County Development Plan Objective ET 13-28: Information and Communications Technology a) Facilitate the delivery of a high capacity ICT infrastructure and high-speed broadband network and digital broadcasting throughout the County in accordance with the Guidance on Environmental Screening / Appropriate Assessment of Works in relation to the Deployment of Telecommunications Infrastructure (2020). b) Support the roll out of the National Broadband Plan throughout the County in conjunction with relevant statutory agencies and in accordance with the above Guidance document. c) Support the role of Smart City / Smart Region initiatives and the role of smart technologies to urban and rural areas. 13.18.7 Ireland has made significant progress in recent years in terms of broadband connectivity at all levels. According to ComReg, the total number of broadband subscriptions in the Republic at the end of 2018 was 1.73 million, up 2.2 per cent versus the previous year. Of these, fixed broadband subscriptions were by far the most popular with 1.43 million subscriptions. 13.18.8 Further progress is needed however, given the importance of digital engagement for County Cork’s economy, jobs, and society generally. High speed broadband is a key enabling infrastructure in this regard and is vital for the creation of a sustainable competitive advantage and to drive economic recovery particularly with increased demand for working from home. 13.18.9 The Cork Region would benefit significantly from a new telecommunications cable system connection as currently the majority of international connectivity ex Ireland is routed via Dublin leading to additional costs being incurred to access international connectivity. 13.18.10 A new connection on the South Coast could help reduce costs and is essential to improving the Cork Gateway and Mallow Hub business competitiveness and to their investment appeal for FDI and SME. It would also deliver a significant strategic benefit for international connectivity, which is a key in attracting and maintaining high value-added employment in data-centric companies and would ensure the Regions optimal positioning as a world class location for cloud-based computing and data centres. 13.18.11 Therefore, a key aim of this Plan is to prioritise the delivery of high-speed broadband infrastructure, in consultation with service providers to ensure that the aims and objectives of this Plan can be delivered in a timely and efficient manner. Data Centres 13.18.12 Data centres are central to the digital economy and are facilities that house computers, storage devices, telecommunication systems, cooling systems and power backups used by organisations for the storage, management, and dissemination of its data. Data centres need resilient power and fibre connectivity and it is acknowledged that data centres may generate a significant demand for renewable energy. Therefore, they need to be located in areas where they have a safe, secure supply of energy with excellent connections to the grid. Ireland has become a leading European destination for data centres. The National Planning Framework and the Southern Regional Assembly have acknowledged the important role of data centres and support the development of these facilities in the country. They contribute to job creation and generate significant added economic benefit by providing a range of services to other firms that undertake production, research and development, marketing, sales, service, and support activities in locations with no physical/ geographic connection to the data centre. 13.18.13 The following site selection criteria have been developed to provide guidance to the potential applicants and the Planning Authority on the key issues which should be considered in the site selection process. This process should review these criteria and examine alternatives in order to determine the most suitable location. a) Site Size - Data centres require a large site area which can accommodate multiple configurations for large single users or multiple smaller sized data centres taking account of the projected demand for data storage in the future including expansion requirements and the economic and operational rationale for the clustering of data storage capacity on one site. The provision of phased masterplan approach to development would be appropriate on larger sites. b) Communications Infrastructure - Data centres require significant strategic communications infrastructure, international cable capacity and access to local fibre connectivity. c) Electricity Infrastructure - Data centres have high level energy demand and therefore need to be close to multiple high voltage strategic grid connections with significant electricity supply capacity available including areas with high concentration of renewable energy electricity generators. Consideration also needs to be given to the cumulative impact of data centre developments on the demand for energy and the capacity of the infrastructure to meet demand from data centres and other uses. GO TO CONTENTS
- 313 d) Energy - Access to and proximity to multiple sources of energy i.e. including natural gas to support backup power systems is essential. Consideration also needs to be given to the cumulative impact of data centre developments on the demand for energy and their wider implications for energy infrastructure. e) Education - The proximity of Data centres to third level educational institutions is important in order for firms to have access to the strong pool of highly skilled workers and top level graduates produced, including increasing numbers of skilled technicians and computer scientists. f) Low Risk - Potential sites should be of low natural risk; i.e. remote from any Seveso sites etc, geologically stable location and avoiding sites with any potential for contamination. g) Climate - The location of Data centres in a cool temperate climate will reduce overall energy requirements. h) Infrastructure - Data Centre require access to appropriate infrastructure including water for cooling purposes. i) Visual screening - The visual impact of any proposal should be carefully considered when selecting suitable sites. Landscaping and screening should be incorporated in proposals in order to mitigate the visual impact of the proposed development. j) Connectivity - Potential sites should have good access to major transport links and should benefit from high quality international connectivity. k) Opportunities for co – location of data centres with other renewable energy projects. l) Avoidance of sites of particular ecological or landscape importance / sensitivity. County Development Plan Objective ET 13-29: Data Centres a) Support the national objective to promote Ireland as an international destination for ICT infrastructures such as data centres at appropriate locations and having regard to the available capacity in, and ease of connection to, supporting infrastructure including roads, water services, power supply, fibre optic infrastructure etc. In addition, proposals should ensure compatibility with surrounding land uses and the protection of biodiversity, natural and built heritage and general amenities of the area and minimise environmental impacts. b) Data centres are significant consumers of energy. Proposals should address the likely impact of the development, individually and cumulatively with other data centres. c) Promote co-location of data centres with renewable energy sources at appropriate locations subject to proper planning and sustainable development considerations. d) Proposals should make provision for appropriate on-site storage to protect the public water supply from surge take off, and for water conservation measures through the recycling and re-using of water and the provision of appropriate SuDS to manage surface water. GO TO CONTENTS
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- 315 CHAPTER 14 GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE AND RECREATION Aim of Chapter Encourage a more integrated and coherent approach to managing the Green Infrastructure assets of the County which will protect and enhance biodiversity, provide for recreational and amenity facilities, maintain and enhance landscape character, protect architectural and archaeological heritage, improve ecological connectivity, provide for sustainable water management and facilitate climate change adaptation and mitigation by requiring the retention and strengthening of substantial networks of green space in urban, urban fringe and into the wider countryside leading to improved quality of life and better economic opportunities for communities across the County now and in the future.
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- 317 CONTENTS Contents 14.1 Background and Context 318 14.2 A Countywide Green Infrastructure Framework 320 14.3 Green Infrastructure Approach at Settlement Level 322 14.4 Green Infrastructure and Development 323 14.5 Recreation and Amenity 325 14.6 Countryside Recreation 327 14.7 Landscape 328 14.8 Landscape Character Assessment of County Cork 329 14.9 Landscape Views and Prospects 331 14.10 Prominent and Strategic Metropolitan Cork Greenbelt Areas 332
- 318 14.1 Background and Context 14.1.1 Green infrastructure is the network of green spaces, habitats and ecosystems within a defined geographic area, which can range in size from an entire country to a neighbourhood. This includes a wide range of natural and semi-natural land cover, including mountains, uplands and agricultural lands across the county, as well as smaller sites such as parks, amenity spaces and gardens, hedgerows, woodlands and single trees. Blue infrastructure refers to waterbodies, including coastline, rivers and streams, reservoirs, lakes and ponds. Together they are known as ‘Green and Blue Infrastructure’. Although primarily referred to as Green Infrastructure in this plan, it is accepted that this term also refers to different elements of blue infrastructure where applicable. 14.1.2 The ‘Natural Capital’ apparent in these natural and semi-natural assets can be considered to be a form of infrastructure and like any type of infrastructure, these assets will only continue to provide us with these benefits if we actively plan, invest in and manage them to ensure that they are utilised sustainably. Internationally there has been a growing recognition that natural capital is in decline and that this has the potential to undermine future wellbeing and prosperity. 14.1.3 Our green and blue infrastructure affects the quality of life for everyone in our county. It helps define a sense of place and the character of our communities; provides important spaces for recreation and tourism with associated health, wellbeing and economic benefits; and increasingly such infrastructure is being recognised as a vital component in building resilient communities capable of adapting to the consequences of climate change. Managing our assets and enhancing the benefits that they provide is therefore integral to the future of our towns and county. In particular, at a settlement level the green and blue infrastructure approach provides a means of strengthening the connection of our urban areas to their surroundings rather than have urban areas as barriers to nature and the movement of wildlife and indeed people. 14.1.4 In 2013, the EU Commission adopted an EU-wide strategy promoting investments in green infrastructure. The strategy promotes the development of a Trans-European Network for Green Infrastructure in Europe (TEN-G) on the same level as existing transport, energy and ICT networks, as an efficient and cost-effective way for countries to achieve the 2020 Biodiversity Strategy targets, to fulfil commitments under the Birds, Habitats, Water Framework and Marine Strategy Framework Directives, and contribute to the goals of the Floods and Nitrate Directives. The Natura 2000 network lies at the very core of Europe’s Green Infrastructure. 14.1.5 Green and blue infrastructure is about ‘joined up’ thinking; it is an integrated approach to planning and links land-use, landscape, services, ecology, heritage and transportation. The concept of green and blue infrastructure differs from the traditional approach to conservation which emphasised preservation. It is a proactive concept that seeks the sustainable development of natural resources in order to enhance their benefits for wider society. Ecosystem Services/Green and Blue Infrastructure Benefits 14.1.6 Ecosystem services provided through various types of green and blue infrastructure are the direct and indirect contributions/benefits of ecosystems to human well-being. This can include a wide range of direct benefits and indirect benefits. Parks for example can offer a wide range of ecosystem services. If well managed, they may promote pollination, provide habitat and improve connectivity for a number of species. In addition to educational and recreational opportunities, parks offer the potential to improve physical and mental health through the provision of opportunities for social interaction and exercise. Ecosystem services can be categorized into four main types: • Provisioning services - are the products obtained from ecosystems such as food, fresh water, wood, fibre, genetic resources and medicines. • Regulating services - are defined as the benefits obtained from the regulation of ecosystem processes such as climate regulation, natural hazard regulation, water purification and waste management, pollination and pest control. • Habitat services - highlight the importance of ecosystems to provide habitat for migratory species and to maintain the viability of gene-pools. • Cultural services - include non-material benefits that people obtain from ecosystems such as spiritual enrichment, intellectual development, recreation and aesthetic values. 14.1.7 As strengthening the network of nature is fundamental to the green and blue infrastructure concept there is an opportunity for strategic green and blue infrastructure planning to consider synergies among ecosystem services. Multi-functionality is also a central component of the green and blue infrastructure concept and can help maximise the benefits provided in a given area. Through the use of tools such as Ecosystem services valuation it is possible to highlight the often unrecognised benefits to society and the environment that various forms of green and blue infrastructure provide. 14.1.8 Cork County Council is already involved in a number of projects which continue to advance the ecosystem services approach such as the BRIDE Nature Project (Biodiversity Regeneration in a Dairying Environment - Farming with Nature) and an Interreg Europe project, entitled Delta Lady- Floating Cultures in River Deltas. Such projects have the potential to inform environmental policy at European, National and sub-national levels. The Council will continue to engage in supporting and progressing the use of an ecosystem services approach in the advancement of plans and projects across the county. GO TO CONTENTS
- 319 14.1.9 Green infrastructure provides a wide range of invaluable ecosystem services and human quality of life benefits some of which are evident in the following diagram: Fig 14.1 – Example of Green Infrastructure Benefits Nature Based Solutions 14.1.10 Increasingly green and blue infrastructure interventions are being considered as ‘nature based solutions’. Naturebased solutions to societal change are solutions that are inspired and supported by nature, which are cost-effective, simultaneously provide environmental, social and economic benefits and help build resilience. Such solutions bring more, and more diverse, nature and natural features and processes into cities, landscapes and seascapes, through locally adapted, resource-efficient and systemic interventions. 14.1.11 Nature Based Solutions can play a particularly important role in mitigating climate change and impacts on the environment (addressing the causes) and supporting adaptation (addressing the effects and future-proofing to better cope with climate change). Examples of nature based solutions include natural flood management, water sensitive urban design or SuDS (see Chapter 11 Water Management) but can also include an urban forest or a rewilding project. 14.1.12 The Council will seek to advance the use of nature based solutions as an alternative to traditional infrastructure. See also Chapter 15 Biodiversity and Environment. Corridor Concept 14.1.13 The concept of corridors promotes the connection of green and blue infrastructure features with the aim of strengthening the overall network. Linear landscape features such as rivers, hedgerows and road verges that enhance the movement of wildlife through the landscape are known as ‘ecological corridors’. Protecting and enhancing such corridors is important particularly in the context of how we manage important habitats that are part of or support the Natura 2000 network. 14.1.14 At a broader level are ‘Green Corridors’. These can be existing and proposed connections between different types of green and blue infrastructure assets which provide multi-functional and not just ecological benefits. Multifunctional green corridors tend to be more typically located in the urban environment. The corridors themselves represent important green and blue infrastructure assets as well as often important connections between assets. A green and blue infrastructure corridor may contain connections for recreation, sustainable transport, water, biodiversity and habitat. 14.1.15 Green corridors are a tool aimed at achieving both ecological and physical connectivity. They make places and towns more pleasant, provide appealing habitats for fauna and boost the social and environmental benefits afforded. Consequently, green corridors play a strategic role in building a healthy ecological town connected to the countryside. 14.1.16 However, there may be some conflicts between designing corridors for human use and appreciation and ecological outcomes. It is important therefore to consider exactly what we want corridors and other green infrastructure elements to do and carefully weigh the trade-offs between ecological function, management costs and human uses. Where intensification of usage is proposed it should be plan led (such as objective TO 10-9 Greenway Strategy) in order that it is subject to Appropriate Assessment (Habitats Directive) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). GO TO CONTENTS
- 320 14.2 A Countywide Green Infrastructure Framework 14.2.1 The green and blue infrastructure concept is scalable and a variety of often overlapping green infrastructure components can be identified from the local/settlement scale to the County scale. Table 14.1: Different scales of Green and Blue Infrastructure in Cork Countywide Scale Local/settlement scale • Mountain ranges • Parks • River and lake systems • Waterbodies • Coastline • Farmland • Woodlands • Local habitats • Wetlands • Derelict sites • Bogs • Gardens (including community gardens) 14.2.2 This Plan highlights our green and blue infrastructure resources and includes objectives and advances measures (both within this section and throughout the Plan) to provide for their protection, enhancement and sustainable management. A series of principles underpin the approach as follows: Green and Blue Infrastructure Principles for Cork County: • Prioritise the protection and enhancement of biodiversity and natural heritage. • Enhance community awareness and appreciation of natural and cultural heritage. • Promote the use of nature based solutions (green) as an alternative to traditional infrastructure (grey). • Contribute to the health and sense of well-being of the community. • Play a key role in shaping and improving local character and sense of place. • Contribute to the sustainable management of surface water run-off and quality, and deliver an holistic approach to flood risk management. • Improve levels of access to our green and blue infrastructure assets. • Enhance connectivity particularly through corridors or networks of green infrastructure at different scales. • Improve the multi-functional roles and benefits (ecosystem services) of existing and future green and open space assets and promote sustainable links between them. • Contribute to reducing carbon emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change. • Support the production of local food and sustainable energy. Green and Blue Infrastructure Themes 14.2.3 As the range of ecosystem services/benefits deriving from green and blue infrastructure has the potential to be quite extensive, it is common to group these considerations into themes and to consider them as overlapping strands. These themes provide a framework under which the complexities of green and blue infrastructure can be more easily understood. They also provide a basis for countywide policy and spatial strategy at settlement level. These four key themes are: GO TO CONTENTS
Source Cork County Council: Cork County Development Plan 2022–2028 – Volume One: Main Policy Material (2022–2028) · Licence the publisher's termsText read from the publisher’s PDF; tables, maps and drawings do not survive as text, and page numbers are the PDF’s (its first page is 1). Check the original before relying on a passage.