Stage 1 Screening for Appropriate Assessment is a crucial step in the planning permission process for sites located within or near protected areas under European Law. These areas, known as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs), are designated by the Habitats Directive (1992) to protect vital ecosystems. A Stage I Screening for Appropriate Assessment is sometimes asked for when Planning Permission is sought for a site located within or close to a protected area.
Why does this happen?
Well approximately 13% of Ireland is covered in these Natura 2000 sites (SACs and SPAs). This extensive network of protected areas requires careful consideration during any development planning to ensure the preservation of Ireland’s unique biodiversity
Special Protection Areas (SPAs) are designated to protect 193 bird species across Europe. Notable examples include the Hen Harrier, King Fisher, and Corncrake. Ireland’s SPA Network spans over 570,000 hectares of marine and terrestrial habitats, safeguarding crucial areas for breeding, feeding, and wintering of protected bird species
Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) in Ireland cover approximately 13,500 sq. km, with 53% being land and the remainder marine or large lakes. Across the EU, over 12,600 sites have been identified, covering 420,000 sq. km of land and sea – an area the size of Germany. Protected Irish habitats include: Raised and blanket bogs; Turloughs and sand dune; Machairs (flat sandy plains on the north and west coasts); Heaths, lakes, rivers, woodlands; Estuaries and sea inlets. The 25 Irish species requiring special protection include Salmon, Otter, Freshwater Pearl Mussel, Bottlenose Dolphin, and Killarney Fern
When a proposed development site is located within or near these protected areas, the Council may require a Stage 1 Screening for Appropriate Assessment. At Ash Ecology and Environmental, we specialise in conducting these assessments to the highest professional standards, ensuring fast turnaround times. . Contact us now for a competitive quote for an Appropriate Assessment (AA) to be carried out.
Indicative SAC and SPA maps of Natura 2000 sites in Ireland. The left map shows the SAC network (423 sites covering 13,500 km²), while the right map displays the SPA complex (154 sites spanning 570 km²). Together, these protected areas account for 13% of Ireland’s land cover, safeguarding critical habitats for various species including breeding seabirds and wintering waterbirds
Some of the projects Ash Ecology has completed stage 1 screening reports for recently include a one-off house in Galway, farm in Waterford, and farm in Tipperary