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Screening for Appropriate Assessment

BioMarin Facility

[Expansion of Existing Site Boundary]

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17488-6004-A Screening for Appropriate Assessment

BioMarin Expansion of Existing Site Boundary

November, 2016

i

ISSUE FORM

Project number 17488

Document number 6004

Document revision A

Document title Screening for Appropriate Assessment (Expansion of Existing Site Boundary

at BioMarin)

Document status Final

Document prepared by CoN (MWP – November – 2016)

Document checked by (MK – MWP – 10/11/2016)

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Table of contents

1 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS ............................................................................................ 1

1.1 Screening for Appropriate Assessment .............................................................................. 1

2 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................... 2

2.1 Purpose of Assessment ..................................................................................................... 2

2.2 Legislative context ............................................................................................................ 2

2.3 Stages of Appropriate Assessment..................................................................................... 2

3 ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY ................................................................................... 3

3.1 Appropriate Assesment Guidance ..................................................................................... 3

3.2 Desk Study ........................................................................................................................ 3

3.3 Screening for Appropriate Assessment .............................................................................. 3

4 SCREENING FOR APPROPRIATE ASSESSMENT ............................................................. 4

4.1 Management of Natura 2000 sites ..................................................................................... 4

4.2 Description of Plan/Project ............................................................................................... 4

4.2.1 Brief Project Description ....................................................................................................................... 4

4.2.2 Purpose of the Project .......................................................................................................................... 6

4.2.3 Site Location .......................................................................................................................................... 6

4.2.4 Description of the Site ........................................................................................................................... 6

4.2.5 Characteristics of Project ...................................................................................................................... 8

4.2.6 Identification of Other Projects or Plans or Activities ........................................................................... 9

4.3 Identification of Natura 2000 Sites .................................................................................... 9

4.3.1 Zone of Impact Influence ...................................................................................................................... 9

4.3.2 Identification of Natura 2000 Sites ..................................................................................................... 10

4.3.3 Characteristics of Natura 2000 Sites ................................................................................................... 10

4.3.4 Conservation Objectives ..................................................................................................................... 11

4.4 Identification of Potential Impacts ................................................................................... 12

4.5 Assessment of Significance of Potential Impacts .............................................................. 12

4.5.1 Habitat Loss and Alteration ................................................................................................................. 12

4.5.2 Water Quality ...................................................................................................................................... 13

4.5.3 Disturbance and/or Displacement of Species ..................................................................................... 13

4.5.4 Habitat or Species Fragmentation....................................................................................................... 13

4.5.5 Cumulative/In-combination Impacts .................................................................................................. 14

4.6 Conclusion of Screening Stage ......................................................................................... 15

5 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................ 16

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TABLE OF TABLES

Table 3: Designated conservation sites within 15km radius of proposal site ...................................... 10

Table 4: Designated site with qualifying features of conservation interest ......................................... 10

TABLE OF FIGURES

Figure 1: Shows expansion of the site boundary at the existing BioMarin Facility ................................ 5

Figure 2: Location of the BioMarin site in Shanbally, Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork .......................................... 6

LIST OF APPENDICES

Appendix 1 Stages of Appropriate Assessment

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November, 2016

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1 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

1.1 SCREENING FOR APPROPRIATE ASSESSMENT

Project Title BioMarin (Expansion of Existing Site Boundary)

Project Proponent BioMarin International Limited

Project Location Shanbally, Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork

Screening for

Appropriate

Assessment

The Screening for Appropriate Assessment is undertaken to determine the

potential for likely significant effects of a proposal to expand the existing site

boundary at BioMarin, individually, or in combination with other plans or

projects, in view of the conservation objectives of the site on a Natura 2000 Site.

Conclusion Is has been concluded on the basis of objective data, that the proposed

Expansion of the Site Boundary at the BioMarin Facility will not individually, or in

combination with any other plan or project, have any significant effect on any

Natura 2000 site, in view of the site’s conservation objectives.

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BioMarin Facility Expansion November 2016

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2 INTRODUCTION

2.1 PURPOSE OF ASSESSMENT

This Screening for Appropriate Assessment has been undertaken to determine whether a proposal

for the expansion of the site boundary at the existing BioMarin Facility to the adjacent land area to

the west, in Shanbally, Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork, individually or in combination with other plans and

projects, is likely to have a significant effect on any European site (i.e. Natura 2000 Sites), in view of

the site’s conservation objectives.

This screening for Appropriate Assessment has been undertaken by Caoimhin O’Neill, an ecologist at

Malachy Walsh and Partners, Engineering and Environmental Consultants. The report was approved

by Ken Fitzgerald of Malachy Walsh & Partners.

2.2 LEGISLATIVE CONTEXT

The Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) seeks to conserve natural habitats and wild fauna and flora by

the designation of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and the Birds Directive (79/409/EEC),

amended (2009), and seeks to protect birds of special importance by the designation of Special

Protected Areas (SPAs). It is the responsibility of each member state to designate SPAs and cSACs,

both of which will form part of Natura 2000, a network of protected European Sites throughout the

European Community. Further information is available at:

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/legislation/habitatsdirective/

http://www.npws.ie/planning/appropriateassessment/

The current assessment was conducted within this legislative framework and also the DoEHLG

(2009) guidelines. As outlined in these, it is the responsibility of the proponent of the project

(BioMarin International Limited), to provide a comprehensive and objective Screening for

Appropriate Assessment, which can then be used by the competent authority in order to conduct

the Appropriate Assessment (DoEHLG, 2009).

2.3 STAGES OF APPROPRIATE ASSESSMENT

The Appropriate Assessment process is a four-stage process with issues and tests at each stage. An

important aspect of the process is that the outcome at each successive stage determines whether a

further stage in the process is required. The stages are set out in Appendix 1. This proposal has

proceeded as far as Stage 1.

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http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/legislation/habitatsdirective/

http://www.npws.ie/planning/appropriateassessment/



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3 ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY

3.1 APPROPRIATE ASSESMENT GUIDANCE

This Screening for Appropriate Assessment, or Stage 1, has been undertaken in accordance with the

European Commission Methodological Guidance on the provision of Article 6(3) and 6(4) of the

‘Habitats’ Directive 92/43/EEC (EC, 2001) and the European Commission Guidance ‘Managing Natura

2000 sites’ (EC, 2000) and guidance prepared by the NPWS (DoEHLG, 2009).

3.2 DESK STUDY

In order to complete the Screening for Appropriate Assessment certain information on the existing

environment is required. A desk study was carried out to collate available information on the site’s

natural environment. This comprised a review of the following publications, data and datasets:

OSI Aerial photography and 1:50000 mapping

National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS)

National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDC) (on-line map-viewer)

BirdWatch Ireland

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) water quality data

South Western River Basin District (SWRBD) datasets (Water Framework Directive).

Geological Survey Ireland (GSI), area maps

Other information sources and reports footnoted in the course of the report

3.3 SCREENING FOR APPROPRIATE ASSESSMENT

As set out in the NPWS guidance, the task of establishing whether a plan or project is likely to have

an effect on a Natura 2000 site(s) is based on a preliminary impact assessment using available

information and data, including that outlined above, and other available environmental information,

supplemented as necessary by local site information and ecological surveys. This is followed by a

determination of whether there is a risk that the effects identified could be significant. The

precautionary principle approach is required.

Once the potential impacts that may arise from the proposal are identified the significance of these

is assessed through the use of key indicators:

Habitat Loss/Alteration

Water Quality and Resource.

Disturbance and/or Displacement of Species

Habitat or Species Fragmentation

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4 SCREENING FOR APPROPRIATE ASSESSMENT

Screening for Appropriate Assessment (Stage 1) determines the need for a full Appropriate

Assessment (Stage 2) and consists of a number of steps, each of which is addressed in the following

sections of this report:

4.1 Establish whether the project is necessary for the management of a Natura 2000 site

4.2 Description of the project (BioMarin Facility Site Boundary Expansion)

4.3 Identification of Natura 2000 sites potentially affected

4.4 Identification and description of individual and cumulative impacts of the project

4.5 Assessment of the significance of the impacts on the integrity of Natura 2000 sites

4.6 Conclusion of screening stage

4.1 MANAGEMENT OF NATURA 2000 SITES

The proposal is not connected with, or necessary to the conservation management of a Natura 2000

site.

4.2 DESCRIPTION OF PLAN/PROJECT

4.2.1 Brief Project Description

BioMarin International Ltd. has a production facility in Shanbally, Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork. They plan to

extend the existing site boundary to the west of the site. The acquired lands have an approximate

land area of 3.6 hectares.

The project comprises the expansion of the existing site boundary to the west. The lands being

acquired will facilitate the construction of an onsite wastewater neutralisation and balancing

treatment plant (which is exempted development). The construction of the onsite WWTP is required

to facilitate the current site separation project which connects the treated process effluent

discharge to the municipal wastewater treatment network. Figure 1 below shows the proposed

expansion area to the west of the existing BioMarin Facility.

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Figure 1: Shows expansion of the site boundary at the existing BioMarin Facility

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4.2.2 Purpose of the Project

Expand the land area at the existing BioMarin facility.

4.2.3 Site Location

The site is located in Shanbally, Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork in the south of Ireland. The site is on the

coastline and is situated approximately 140m to the south Cork Harbour Figure 2 below shows the

location of the site.

Figure 2: Location of the BioMarin site in Shanbally, Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork

4.2.4 Description of the Site

4.2.4.1 General

The BioMarin site is located at national grid reference of W 764 647, approximately 11 km southeast

of Cork city centre, 3 km northeast of Carrigaline town centre and 1 km northwest of Ringaskiddy

village. The site is located adjacent to Cork Harbour, at Ballintaggart, south of Monkstown Creek. The

entrance to the site is from the south and the Ringaskiddy Industrial Estate is south of the BioMarin

facility.

The existing BioMarin site (eastern part of the site) for the most part consists of existing

buildings/buildings and sections under construction, gravel/paved areas, and amenity lawns. The site

of the proposed works is located between an industrial park on the east and Raffeen Golf Course to

the west. The golf course extends to the north of the BioMarin site, which is in turn adjacent to Cork

Harbour. A distance of approximately 140m separates the BioMarin site and Monkstown Creek to

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the north, with sections of scrub, bare ground areas and waste areas occurring in between.

Hedgerow and treeline bound the margins of the site.

The proposed expansion area to the existing site boundary occurs to the west of the site and is

situated mainly on amenity grassland, which is used as soccer pitches, and are regularly maintained.

An existing car park, capped with limestone occurs towards the northern end of the proposed

expansion area. Treeline and hedgerow separate the existing built area (eastern part of the site), and

the amenity grassland (soccer pitch), to the west. Treeline also occurs along the southern boundary

of the proposed expansion area. A section of lodge pole pine treeline occurs to the north of the

existing gravel surfaced car park that occurs towards the northern end of the proposed expansion

area. Semi-natural woodland separates the expansion area and the Raffeen Creek Golf Course, and

the associated lake to the west.

To the east of the BioMarin site, a number of unused factory buildings occur on for the most part

paved land area. On gravel areas/mounds of gravel at this location some ruderal species occur, such

as dandelions (Taraxum spp.), and thistles (Cirsium spp.). Small sections of scrub occur to the north

and northeast of the Biomarin, on areas of imported gravel. A large number of individual butterfly

bush plants occur in the gravel areas and growing between breaks in the concrete, in the somewhat

unused land area to the east of the site. A linear strip of semi natural woodland occurs along the

coastline and the estuary to the north, with the woodland becoming scrubbier and more artificial

extending up a steep embankment towards the unused area to the north of the BioMarin site.

The dominant corine landcover categories in the surrounding area are ‘Urban’ and ‘Pasture’,

underlain by ‘Dinantian Pure Unbedded Limestones and Dinantian Mudstones and Sandstones’1.

The BioMarin site currently occupies approximately 4 hectares, and after the expansion of the site

boundary it will occupy approximately 7.6 hectares.

4.2.4.2 Water Quality

The BioMarin site occurs within the Southwestern River Basin District, and the site is not drained by any river/stream. The main water body is coastal – that of Cork harbour to the north. The status, under the Water Framework Directive, was deemed ‘Good’ in the period 2010 – 2012, which is the latest data available from the EPA2. The Water Framework Directive risk score for this coastal waterbody is described of ‘at risk of not achieving good status’. Under the water Framework Directive, all waterbodies should achieve good status by 2015. According to the Water Maps website (to manage requirements of the Water Framework Directive in Ireland), the Groundwater Body is listed as the Ballinhassig D, which has an overall quality of Good.

1 http://maps.biodiversityireland.ie/#/Map

2 http://gis.epa.ie/Envision

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4.2.5 Characteristics of Project

The proposed development includes the expansion of the existing site boundary to acquired lands to

the west, adjacent to the existing facility. Fencing that will be installed along the perimeter of the

newly acquired lands will be similar to the fencing that occurs around the existing site boundary.

The proposal is described below and has been confirmed with [Biomarin/Vision Contracting].

Size, scale, area, land-take

Acquisition of approximately 3.6 hectares of land to the west of existing site.

Project does not require land take for any SAC/SPA site.

Details of physical changes that will take place during the various stages of implementing the proposal

Installation of approximately 500m, of Galvanised steel Palisade fence, powder

coated green in colour, installed around site boundary.

Description of resource requirements for the construction/operation and decommissioning of the proposal (water resources, construction material, human presence etc)

4 personnel will be involved in the installation of the fencing, and will take approximately 3 weeks to complete.

Plant required will include a mini digger and a small concrete mixer.

Only sound equipment will be used, operated by trained, experienced personnel.

Hand tools

Small amount of concrete to set each fence post.

Concrete will be mixed at site Contractors Compound only as per required/amount required.

Refuelling shall be carried a minimum distance of 50m from any watercourse, by trained personnel, using appropriate procedure. Spill kits shall be readily available on site.

Fuel/oil will be stored and secured at Contractors Compound.

Description of timescale for the various activities that will take place as a result of implementation (including likely start and finish date)

Land is already acquired. Works scheduled to commence 23-Nov-16

The installation of the fencing will take approximately 3 weeks to complete.

Description of wastes arising and other residues (including quantities) and their disposal

General fencing material waste, including packaging.

Waste will be separated on site, recycled where possible and removed to licensed waste disposal facility.

Concrete shall be mixed as required, with no excess expected. If it is the case, excess concrete will be removed to licensed waste facility.

Identification of wastes arising and other residues (including quantities) that may be of particular concern in the context of the Natura 2000 network

The important feature adjacent to the site is Monkstown Creek to the north, which forms part of Cork Harbour SPA site. However the proposed expansion of the existing site boundary at BioMarin facility does not require any heavy excavations.

No wastes expected that would result in poor water quality impacts.

Noise emissions will be a minimal and will consist of personnel installing fencing, with the use of mini digger.

Description of any additional services required to implement the project or plan, their location and means of construction

None required

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Additional criteria as described

N/A

4.2.6 Identification of Other Projects or Plans or Activities

4.2.6.1 Ongoing Activities

Extensive areas of estuarine habitat have been reclaimed since the 1950s for industrial, port-related

and road projects, and further reclamation remains a threat. As Cork Harbour is adjacent to a major

urban centre and a major industrial centre, water quality is variable, with the estuary of the River

Lee and parts of the Inner Harbour being somewhat eutrophic. However, the polluted conditions

may not be having significant impacts on the bird populations. Oil pollution from shipping in Cork

Harbour is a general threat. Recreational activities are high in some areas of the harbour, including

jet skiing which causes disturbance to roosting birds.

4.2.6.2 Point Source

Cork harbour receives treated effluent from a number of scattered settlements which include Cork

city itself and Middleton.

The following is a list of IPPC licensed facilities for the area of Rinaskiddy;

Recordati Ireland Limited P0476-02

SmithKline Beecham (Cork) P0004-05

Hovione Limited P0020-04

Novartis Ringaskiddy Limited P0006-03

Janssen Biologics (Ireland) P0778-01

BioMarin International Ltd P0864-01

Pfizer Ireland Pharmaceuticals P0013-04

4.2.6.3 Planning Permissions

A search of the Cork County Council website [21/07/2016] revealed no planned projects that would

cumulatively negatively impact any of the identified Natura 2000 sites. That being said, the

Carrigtwohill WWTP is approved for expansion and will discharge into the harbour north of these

proposed works.

4.3 IDENTIFICATION OF NATURA 2000 SITES

4.3.1 Zone of Impact Influence

The screening stage of AA involves compiling a ‘long list’ of European sites within a zone of potential

impact influence for later analysis which may or may ultimately not be significantly impacted upon

by the proposal. All Natura 2000 sites within 15km of the proposal location will be characterised in

the context of the rationale for designation and qualifying features, in accordance with NPWS

guidance. In line with the precautionary principle, this report considers any Natura 2000 sites that lie

outside 15km that may be significantly impacted as a result of the BioMarin facility expansion.

Following this, the potential impacts associated with the proposal will be identified before an

assessment is made of the likely significance of these impacts.

As described above, the test for the screening for Appropriate Assessment is to assess, in view of

best scientific knowledge, if the expansion of the existing site boundary at the BioMarin Facility,

individually or in combination with other plan/project is likely to have a significant effect on a Natura

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2000 site. If there are any significant, potentially significant, or uncertain effects, it will be necessary

to proceed to Appropriate Assessment, and submit an NIS.

4.3.2 Identification of Natura 2000 Sites

Adopting the precautionary principle in identifying potentially affected European sites, it has been

decided to include all cSAC and SPA sites, within a 15km radius of the proposal site.

Table 3 below lists designated cSACs, and SPA sites within 15km or the zone of influence of the

proposal site including their proximity.

Table 1: Designated conservation sites within 15km radius of proposal site

No. Designated Site Site

Code

Proximity of site to nearest point of

designated site

1 Cork Harbour SPA 004030 60m W

2 Great Island Channel SAC 001058 5km NNE

4.3.3 Characteristics of Natura 2000 Sites

The following Table (Table 4) lists the features of interest for the cSACs and SPA sites that lie within

15km of the proposed BioMarin expansion. Information pertaining to designated sites is from site

synopses, conservation objectives and other information available on www.npws.ie website.

Table 2: Designated site with qualifying features of conservation interest

Designated Site Qualifying features of conservation interest

Cork Harbour SPA [004030] - Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) [A004]

- Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) [A005]

- Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) [A017]

- Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) [A028]

- Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) [A048]

- Wigeon (Anas penelope) [A050]

- Teal (Anas crecca) [A052]

- Pintail (Anas acuta) [A054]

- Shoveler (Anas clypeata) [A056]

- Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) [A069]

- Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) [A130]

- Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria) [A140]

- Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) [A141]

- Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) [A142]

- Dunlin (Calidris alpina) [A149]

- Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) [A156]

- Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica) [A157]

- Curlew (Numenius arquata) [A160]

- Redshank (Tringa totanus) [A162]

- Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) [A179]

- Common Gull (Larus canus) [A182]

- Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) [A183]

- Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) [A193]

- Wetland and Waterbirds [A999]

Great Island Channel SAC

[001058]

- Mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low tide [1140]

- Atlantic salt meadows (Glauco-Puccinellietalia maritimae) [1330]

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4.3.4 Conservation Objectives

According to the Habitat’s Directive, the conservation status of a natural habitat will be taken as

‘favourable’ within its biogeographic range when:

its natural range and areas it covers within that range are stable or increasing, and

the specific structure and functions which are necessary for its long-term maintenance exist

and are likely to continue to exist for the foreseeable future, and

the conservation status of its typical species is favourable as defined below.

According to the Habitat’s Directive, the conservation status of a species means the sum of the

influences acting on the species concerned that may affect the long-term distribution and

abundance of its populations. The conservation status will be taken as ’favourable’ within its

biogeographic range when:

population dynamics data on the species concerned indicate that it is maintaining itself on a

long-term basis as a viable component of its natural habitats, and

the natural range of the species is neither being reduced nor is likely to be reduced for the

foreseeable future, and

there is, and will probably continue to be, a sufficiently large habitat to maintain its

populations on a long-term basis.

The specific conservation objectives for each site are available on www.npws.ie. These have been

accessed for the sites listed in the tables above on the [03/08/2016]. Site specific and more detailed

conservation objectives were available for both sites:

Cork Harbour SPA [004030]

Great Island Channel SAC [001058]

Management plans were not available for any sites.

All conservation objectives together with other designated site information are available on

http://www.npws.ie/protectedsites/.

The only pollution pathway to the Great Island Channel SAC [001058] is from tidal flow back up into

the harbour. As such, it is not envisioned that there would be any significant impacts upon the

features of conservation interest of this SAC from the BioMarin proposal described in this report.

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4.4 IDENTIFICATION OF POTENTIAL IMPACTS

Potential likely ecological impacts arising from the project are identified in this section.

Description of elements of the project likely to give rise to potential ecological impacts sites.

Location of Proposal o Within 60m of SPA site and within 5km of SAC site

Construction Phase o Minimal noise emissions during the installation of fencing.

Operation phase o Minimal noise levels as result of maintenance of newly

acquired lands.

Describe any likely direct, indirect or secondary ecological impacts of the project (either alone or in combination with other plans or projects) by virtue of:

Size and scale;

Land-take;

Distance from Natura 2000 Site or key features of the Site;

Resource requirements;

Emissions;

Excavation requirements;

Transportation requirements;

Duration of construction, operation etc.; and

Other.

- Proposed works do not require land take form a Natura 2000 Site.

- Proposed works are within 60m of SPA site. - Proposed works are within 5km of SAC site. - Minimal noise disturbance. - Small excavations are required for fence posts. - Duration for fencing works is 3 weeks approx. - The amount of concrete required is minimal. The desired

amount will be mixed when required at Contractors Compound where there is no risk of runoff.

4.5 ASSESSMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE OF POTENTIAL IMPACTS

This section considers the list of sites identified in section 0 above together with the potential

ecological impacts identified in the previous section and determines whether the project is likely to

have significant effects on a Natura 2000 site.

The likelihood of significant effects to a Natura 2000 site from the project was determined based on

a number of indicators including:

Habitat Loss/ Alteration

Water Quality and Resource

Disturbance and/or Displacement of Species

Habitat or Species Fragmentation

The likelihood of significant cumulative/in-combination effects is assessed in Section 4.5.5.

4.5.1 Habitat Loss and Alteration

The expansion of the BioMarin site boundary does not overlap with any designated site. Therefore

the acquisition of the lands to the west will not result in direct habitat loss within the Cork Harbour

SPA (004030), or the Great Island Channel SAC (001058). Habitat alteration is addressed in the

following section (Section 4.5.2).

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4.5.2 Water Quality

The expansion of the site boundary at the existing BioMarin Facility will not result in any

direct/indirect impacts on water quality. No large scale excavations will be required for the

installation of the fencing. The amount of concrete required is minimal, and will be mixed at

Contractors Compound where there is no risk of runoff. There is the requirement for a mini digger

during the installation of the fencing. Only sound equipment will be used, and will be operated by

trained and experienced personnel. No refuelling will be carried out within 50m of any watercourse,

and will be only carried out by trained personnel, using appropriate procedure. In addition a 60m

vegetated buffer occurs between the Cork Harbour to the north, and the more northerly end of the

proposed extension to the existing site boundary. In summary, the proposed works are small scale,

requiring minimal excavations, and will be carried out over short timeframe. Therefore, it is

considered that the acquisition and the fencing of the acquired land area to the west of the existing

facility will not result in point source of pollution that will result in significant water quality impacts

within nearby designated sites.

4.5.3 Disturbance and/or Displacement of Species

The Cork Harbour SPA site is of special conservation interest for a range of wintering shorebirds. The

Great Island Channel cSAC is designated for two Annex I habitats with no qualifying species listed.

The acquisition of the land area to the west of the existing BioMarin Facility will only require fencing,

installed around the perimeter of the site. These works are considered small scale, carried out over a

short timeframe. The excavations required are minimal, with limited personnel and equipment

required. In addition a certain level of activity occurs at the general location of the site, including

vehicular traffic in the general area, vehicular traffic occurring at the existing carpark within the site,

and activity occurring at the existing golf course to the north and west of the site. It is considered

that the proposed works will not significantly raise noise levels/activity levels at the site, above

noise/activity levels which already occurs at the general location of the site. In addition, the treeline

and linear woodland that occurs along the shoreline to the north of the site which will act as noise

buffer between the BioMarin site, and the Cork Harbour SPA to the north. Therefore, it is considered

that the proposed expansion of the site boundary at the existing BioMarin Facility will not result in

significant disturbance/displacement impacts to habitats/species classified within any nearby

designated sites.

4.5.3.1 Operational Phase

At present, the land area to the west is used as soccer pitch/recreational use. For the immediate

future the land area may be subjected to maintenance, such as mowing. It is considered that these

activities will not result in significant disturbance/displacement impacts to species within nearby

designated sites.

4.5.4 Habitat or Species Fragmentation

The existing BioMarin site and the amenity grassland to the west are already highly modified and

managed. The man made/altered habitats within the footprint of the proposal offer very low

potential habitat for species of qualifying interest. Habitat/species fragmentation can be described

as discontinuities in organisms preferred habitat resulting in fragmentation of the population.

Habitat loss or alteration can result in habitat fragmentation. The preceding sub sections have

concluded that there will be no significant direct or indirect habitat loss/alteration to the nearby

designated sites as a result of the expansion of the boundary line at the BioMarin Facility. The

BioMarin proposal will not result in significant disturbance/displacement impacts to species

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protected within nearby designated site. In addition no significant water quality impacts are

expected as a result of the proposal described in this report. Therefore, it is extremely unlikely that

the proposal described in this report will result in significant habitat or species fragmentation within

the designated sites considered in this report.

4.5.5 Cumulative/In-combination Impacts

A cumulative impact arises from incremental changes caused by other past, present or reasonably

foreseeable actions together with the proposed expansion of the site boundary at BioMarin. The

BioMarin site is located within an existing facility, and the expansion of the site boundary to the west

includes for the most part amenity grassland and gravel car park area (built area). The proposal also

lies adjacent to the fully operational Pfizer Plant and is surrounded by several other buildings and

facilities.

The following is a review of the Natura 2000 documents for the site document the following threats

to the Cork Harbour SPA:

There are no serious imminent threats to the wintering birds. Though the intertidal areas receive

polluted water, there are no apparent significant impacts on the associated flora and fauna. Oil

pollution from shipping in Cork Harbour is a general threat. Aquaculture occurs though it is not

known if this has significant impacts on the birds. Recreational activities are high in some areas,

including jet skiing which causes disturbance to roosting birds. Extensive areas of estuarine habitat

has been reclaimed since about the 1950s for industrial, port-related and road projects, and further

reclamation remains a threat.

As previously discussed the acquisition of the land area to the west will require some fencing works,

enclosing already man made/altered habitats. The proposal will not result in the significant loss or

alteration of habitats within any Natura 2000 Sites.

The expansion of the BioMarin site boundary requires minimal works and will be carried out over a

short time frame. In addition similar fencing already occurs in the general area. It is considered that

the noise levels during the installation of the fencing will not cause a significant impact on the birds

found here.

The expansion of the BioMarin site boundary will provide will facilitate the construction of an onsite

wastewater neutralisation and balancing treatment plant (which is exempted development). The

construction of the onsite WWTP is required to facilitate the current site separation project which

connects the treated process effluent discharge to the municipal wastewater treatment network.

There are a number of pharmaceutical plants and other industries operating within Cork Harbour,

which have the potential to cause in-combination impacts with the Waste Water Treatment Plant

which is currently under construction, and will be constructed towards the northern end of the

newly acquired land area. However, compliance with IPPC/IEL Licence requirements such as

environmental quality standards will preclude the possibility of significant adverse cumulative

impacts.

The other possible cumulative effects are point sources of pollution into the Cork Harbour area. The

acquisition of the new land and the installation of the fencing around the expansion area will not

result in point source pollution impacts to the Cork Harbour SPA to the north. In addition existing

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BioMarin facilities domestic/treated waste waters and surface waters/storm waters, following

treatment are discharged accordance with the sites strict IED Licences (In the future domestic and

treated processed waters will be under licensed discharge agreement with Irish Water). The existing

BioMarin facility does not result in uncontrolled emissions.

The increase in noise levels during the installation of the fencing around the newly acquired land to

the will be minimal, localised and temporary in nature, and will not significantly go above the

existing background noise levels that occurs in the general area.

Therefore it is considered that the BioMarin proposal described in this report, and other

projects/activities in the area will not result significant cumulative impacts on nearby designated

sites in combination with other projects.

4.6 CONCLUSION OF SCREENING STAGE

In conclusion, to determine the potential impacts, if any, of the BioMarin proposal on nearby Natura

2000 sites, a screening process for Appropriate Assessment was undertaken. The proposed

development is within 15km of 2 Natura 2000 sites.

It has been objectively concluded during the screening process that the 2 sites within 15km of the

project are not likely to be significantly impacted by the proposal to expand the existing BioMarin

facility site boundary, and these include:

Cork Harbour SPA [004030]

Great Island Channel SAC [001058]

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1xxxx-600X-A Natura Impact Statement Month Year

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5 REFERENCES

Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (DoEHLG) (2009). Appropriate

Assessment of Plans and Projects in Ireland: Guidance for Planning Authorities. Department of

Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

EC (2000). Managing Natura 2000 Sites: The provisions of Article 6 of the ‘Habitats’ Directive

92/43/EEC. Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities.

EC (2001). Assessment of Plans and Projects Significantly Affecting Natura 2000 Sites:

Methodological guidance on the provisions of Article 6(3) and (4) of the Habitats Directive

92/43/EEC. Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities.

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Appendix

Appendix 1

Stages of Appropriate Assessment

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Appendix

Stage 1 - Screening

This is the first stage of the Appropriate Assessment process and that undertaken to determine the

likelihood of significant impacts as a result of a proposed project or plan. It determines need for a

full Appropriate Assessment.

If it can be concluded that no significant impacts to Natura 2000 sites are likely then the assessment

can stop here. If not, it must proceed to Stage 2 for further more detailed assessment.

Stage 2 - Natura Impact Statement (NIS)

The second stage of the Appropriate Assessment process assesses the impact of the proposal (either

alone or in combination with other projects or plans) on the integrity of the Natura 2000 site with

respect to the conservation objectives of the site and its ecological structure and function. This is a

much more detailed assessment that Stage 1. A Natura Impact Statement containing a professional

scientific examination of the proposal is required and includes any mitigation measure to avoid,

reduce or offset negative impacts.

If the outcome of Stage 2 is negative i.e. adverse impacts to the sites cannot be scientifically ruled

out, despite mitigation, the plan or project should proceed to Stage 3 or be abandoned.

Stage 3 - Assessment of alternative solutions

A detailed assessment must be undertaken to determine whether alternative ways of achieving the

objective of the project/plan exists.

Where no alternatives exist the project/plan must proceed to Stage 4.

Stage 4 - Assessment where no alternative solutions exist and where adverse impacts remain

The final stage is the main derogation process examining whether there are imperative reasons of

overriding public interest (IROPI) for allowing a plan or project to adversely affect a Natura 2000 site

where no less damaging solution exists.

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