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Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs An Roinn Talmhaíochta, Comhshaoil agus Gnóthaí Tuaithe Depairtment o' Fairmin, Environment an' Kintra Matthers

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  • Housing, offices and commercial

    Topics:
    • Environmental Advice for Planning, 
    • Planning consultation development types

    The key environmental impacts from and documents that may be required for housing, office or commercial developments

    Key environmental considerations

    The key environmental impacts from housing, office or commercial developments include:

    Development footprint

    • habitat damage (including bogs, heathlands, woodlands and low nutrient grasslands)
    • species disturbance and/or displacement
    • modification to waterways including alterations to existing crossing structures such as culverts and bridges within the site

    Drainage

    • impacts on surface water drainage run-off rates and the potential risks associated with surface water flooding

    Pollution of water environment

    • potential for impacts on mains foul sewage capacity
    • risk of polluting discharges from septic tanks entering surface waters or groundwater
    • run-off contaminated by chemicals or sediment from stockpiles or site clearance works resulting from the release of inorganic compounds effecting water quality, aquatic ecosystems and fisheries

    Documents/information required

    The following lists the documents/information that may be required to ensure that DAERA can provide a substantive response:

    Development details

    • site access arrangements
    • position of all buildings and associated infrastructure.
    • details of proposed method of sewage disposal/location of septic tank or treatment plant
    • site Drainage Plan

    Surveys/assessments

    Ecological e.g.

    • habitat
    • priority/protected species

    Mitigation/compensation

    • Pollution Prevention Measures during construction
    • Species mitigation proposals

    Further Guidance

    • Standing Advice e.g.
      • Single Dwellings Standing Advice
      • Multiple Dwellings Standing Advice
      • Commercial or Industrial Standing Advice
    • Water Features Survey
    • Drainage Plan
    • Ecological Surveys
    • A Construction Method Statement may be required for applicatioons for works to be conducted in, near (within 10 meters) of a watercourse or liable to affect a watercourse.

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