Bird habitats to restrict industrial growth?

Cold water will be poured on multi-million euro marine-related industry and renewable energy projects along the shores of the Shannon Estuary unless Heritage Minister, Jimmy Deenihan postpones new designated protection areas for bird habitats.

West Clare Renewables chairman, Padraig Howard, has asked Minister Deenihan to defer any new protection zones, which are being proposed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), until a new strategic integrated framework plan (SIFP) is first completed by a new inter-agency steering group.
Stating that a €400m wind farm development was refused planning permission in East Clare by An Bord Pleanála because of its possible impact on the protected hen harrier, Mr Howard warned that similar developments along the shores of the Shannon Estuary would suffer a similar refusal.
Despite assurances from Minister Deenihan that the NPWS is willing to facilitate development in certain areas of the estuary, the wind farm developer said these pledges need to be written into the SIFP.
Mr Howard claimed objections have been lodged against proposed windfarm developments three or four kilometres outside of a protected species area, while the inclusion of protection for the nesting season is effectively limitless.
The development of the SIFP is being progressed on an inter-agency basis with a steering group consisting of Clare County Council, Limerick County Council, Limerick City Council, Kerry County Council, Shannon Foynes Port Authority, Shannon Development, Limerick Clare Energy Agency, Mid-West Regional Authority, Department of Environment and the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Clare County Council is the lead authority and meetings are chaired by county manager, Tom Coughlan. A scoping report for the preparation of the SIFP has been completed and this will be the basis for the tender brief for the appointment of consultants to prepare this plan.
The consultants will be required to carry out a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) and a habitats directive assessment (HAD).
It is envisaged that the consultants will be required to prepare an overall strategy for the Shannon Estuary and its environs in two stages. The consultants will be required to identify issues and opportunities for development including marine related industry – ports, marinas, jetties, dredging and dumping of soil and existing development on the estuary.
It also includes infrastructure/material assets such as waste water treatment systems, renewable onshore and offshore energy, commercial fishing and aquaculture, tourism, recreation and leisure, water borne transport, flood risk and climate change, settlements, roads, rail, airports, islands, shipping/transhipment, environment, landscape, cultural aspects and invasive species.
Tenders for the formal procurement process to engage consultants are due back on or before Friday, August 5, and it is hoped consultants will be appointed in September. A timeframe will then be agreed for the development of the SIFP. Consultation with the public and elected members will be part of the preparation of the plan, which will be incorporated as a variation to the council’s 2011 to 2017 County Development Plan.
Mr Coughlan pointed out that pre-planning is critical for any major development. He advised any potential investor to contact the county council, which would identify the special areas of conservation.
“Where there is a development that may have an impact on a conservation area, we can discuss with the developer how this can be mitigated to the extent where it may no longer be an issue,” he said.
Mr Coughlan recently had a lengthy discussion with the NPWS in relation to the development of the estuary.
“What we have agreed is there an area under EU designation that must be protected. 
“That is not to say there aren’t areas where development can be permitted. We are working with the NPWS to determine what areas are subject to restriction and where development can take place.
“It is not a them and us where NPWS are saying there can’t be any development. We are now working to meet the requirements of the council in terms of economic development and the NPWS in terms of conservation,” he said.
Once the SIFP is completed, Mr Coughlan hopes to be in a position to produce a map with areas in the estuary where development is permitted and restricted.