Section 1 SEA Introduction and Background
1.1 Introduction and Terms of Reference
This is the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Environmental Report for Proposed Amendment No. 2 of the Callan Local Area Plan 2009-2020.
The purpose of this report is to provide a clear understanding of the likely environmental consequences of decisions regarding the adoption and implementation of the Plan. The SEA is carried out in order to comply with the provisions of the Planning and Development (Strategic Environmental Assessment) Regulations 2004 (SI No. 436 of 2004) as amended. This report should be read in conjunction with the Proposed Amendment Local Area Plan.
1.2 SEA Definition
Environmental assessment is a procedure that ensures that the environmental implications of decisions are taken into account before such decisions are made. Environmental Impact Assessment, or EIA, is generally used for describing the process of environmental assessment for individual projects, while Strategic Environmental Assessment, or SEA, is the term which has been given to the environmental assessment of plans and programmes, which help determine the nature and location of individual projects taking place. SEA is a systematic process of predicting and evaluating the likely significant environmental effects of implementing a proposed plan or programme in order to ensure that these effects are adequately addressed at the earliest appropriate stages of decision-making in tandem with economic, social and other considerations.
1.3 SEA Directive and its transposition into Irish Law
Directive 2001/42/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of Ministers, of 27th June 2001, on the Assessment of the Effects of Certain Plans and Programmes on the Environment, referred to hereafter as the SEA Directive, introduced the requirement that SEA be carried out on plans and programmes which are prepared for a number of sectors, including land use planning.
The SEA Directive was transposed into Irish Law through the European Communities (Environmental Assessment of Certain Plans and Programmes) Regulations 2004 (Statutory Instrument Number (SI No. 435 of 2004) and the Planning and Development (Strategic Environmental Assessment) Regulations 2004 (SI No. 436 of 2004). Both sets of Regulations became operational on 21st July 2004. The Regulations have been amended by the European Communities (Environmental Assessment of Certain Plans and Programmes) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (SI No. 200 of 2011) and the Planning and Development (Strategic Environmental Assessment) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (SI No. 201 of 2011).
1.4 Implications for the LAP Amendment and the Planning Authority
The Habitats Directive requires, inter alia, that plans and programmes undergo an Appropriate Assessment (AA) process to establish the likely or potential effects arising from implementation of the Plan. Arising from this assessment, it is necessary to undertake Stage 2 AA of the Plan as it is likely to have a significant environmental effect or a potentially significant environmental effect on the Natura 2000 Network of designated ecological sites.
The SEA Directive requires that Strategic Environmental Assessment is carried out for plans and programmes which are being subjected to Stage 2 AA.
The findings of the SEA are expressed in this Environmental Report. This report will be altered to take account of both: recommendations contained in submissions; and changes which may be made to the Draft Plan on foot of submissions. Elected Members of Kilkenny County Council will take into account the findings of this report and other related SEA output during their consideration of the Draft Plan and before its adoption.
An SEA Statement will be prepared and will accompany the adopted Plan and shall summarise, inter alia, how environmental considerations have been integrated into the Plan.