Preparation of Kilkenny’s Biodiversity Action Plan

Kilkenny’s Biodiversity Action Plan was prepared in accordance with all relevant environmental standards. This included undertaking a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) to identify, assess, and mitigate potential likely significant environmental effects associated with the Plan; and an Appropriate Assessment (AA) to identify, assess and mitigate potential significant adverse effects on designated European sites.

Kilkenny’s Biodiversity Action Plan  2025_Screening-BAP-Copy-2.pdf (size 1.1 MB)

Kilkenny’s Biodiversity Action Plan, Table of Objectives and Actions  Kilkenny-BAP-Screened-Table-of-Objectives-and-Actions.pdf (size 332.8 KB)

Appropriate Assessment Screening Conclusion

This report presents an examination of whether the LABAP, inclusive of the Draft Plan actions and amendments, is likely to have a significant effect on a European site (either alone or in combination with other plans or projects) and is based on best available scientific knowledge. This report has been prepared to inform the competent authority in completing their statutory obligations in relation to Appropriate Assessment, as required by Article 6(3) under Council Directive 92/43/EEC (Habitats Directive).

It can be concluded beyond reasonable scientific doubt, in view of best scientific knowledge, on the basis of objective information, that the plan, individually or in combination with other plans and projects, is not likely to have a significant effect on European sites. The principal reasons for this are as follows:

• The LABAP does not introduce any source of impacts that have potential for interactions with the receiving environment.
• All actions in the LABAP are aimed at protecting and enhancing biodiversity. There is no requirement to integrate further environmental considerations into the LABAP given its intrinsic nature, its stated aims and objectives, and the potential positive effects associated with its actions.
• The LABAP is in alignment with nature legislation and higher order policy such as the 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan and inter-related plans and programmes.
• The actions in the LABAP do not support intensive land use or development projects sitting outside the land use planning framework that can cause likely significant negative environmental effects.
• The LABAP is not a statutory land use plan. The LABAP will not in and of itself set the context for future development consent.

Appropriate Assessment Screening Report (April 2025)  AA-Screening-Report-April-2025.pdf (size 1.8 MB)

AA Final Determination   AA-Determination.pdf (size 62.9 KB)

Strategic Environmental Assessment Screening Conclusion

A SEA Screening Assessment was undertaken to determine the need for a SEA for the Kilkenny County Council LABAP. It has been concluded that there is no real likelihood of significant negative environmental effects occurring as result of the implementation of the LABAP. The principal reasons for this are as follows:

• The LABAP does not introduce any source of negative environmental effect.
• All actions in the LABAP are aimed at protecting and enhancing biodiversity. There is no requirement to integrate further environmental considerations into the LABAP given its intrinsic nature, its stated aims and objectives, and the potential positive effects associated with its actions.
• The LABAP is in alignment with nature legislation and higher order policy such as the 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan and inter-related plans and programmes.
• The actions in the LABAP do not support intensive land use or development projects sitting outside the land use planning framework that can cause significant negative environmental effects.
• The LABAP is not a statutory land use plan. The LABAP will not in and of itself set the context for future development consent. Therefore, a full SEA of the LABAP is not required.

Strategic Environmental Assessment Screening Report (April 2025)  SEA-Screening-Report-April-2025.pdf (size 1.3 MB)

SEA Final Determination  SEA-Determination.pdf (size 60.3 KB)