Environmental Assessment
Masterplanning and Urban Design Projects
SEA of Variation to South Dublin County Development Plan 2016-2022
Ruth is managing the above SEA that addresses regeneration of a large area of land in South Dublin.
SEA of Variation to Clare County Development Plan 2017-2023
Ruth is managing the SEA of the first Variation to the Clare CDP that looks to rezone lands for potential data centres.
SEA and AA of the Dublin Region Climate Change Action Plans 2019-2024, Codema and the four Dublin Local Authorities
Ruth is the project manager and lead SEA consultant on these climate change action plans which are currently on display. Working with Doherty Environmental, these are the first CCAPs in Ireland and first subject to full SEA and AA. Key themes include energy, transport, flood resilience, nature based solutions and resource management.
SEA Services and Biodiversity Services, Grange Masterplan, 2016-2017, South Dublin County Council
Minogue and Associates undertook a range of ecological services including bat surveys, phase 1 habitat surveys and hedgerows services to inform the preparation of the above Masterplan. This in turn led to the preparation of a Biodiversity Management Plan and preparation of additional environmental guidelines to assist in the Strategic Environmental Assessment process for these lands at Grange, South Dublin.
SEA Services for the Clonburris Planning Scheme, 2016-2018, South Dublin County Council
Minogue and Associates undertook all stage of the SEA process for the above Planning Scheme; this included workshops around consideration of alternatives, identifying key ecological and other environmental considerations, liaison with the urban design team as well as ongoing SEA Screening of a high number of material amendments.
SEA Services of Tallaght Town Centre, Local Area Plan, ongoing, South Dublin County Council
Minogue and associates are currently working on the SEA of the above town LAP which has ha strong urban design element.
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of Visitor Management and Sustainable tourism Plan for Inis Cealtra, Lough Derg, Co Clare –2017
Working with Solearth architects, Ruth prepared the SEA of the draft plan on this unique island in Lough Derg, included on the tentative list of World Heritage Sites. Archaeology, Landscape and Ecology are key considerations in this SEA.
SEA and AA of Variation (Strategic Integrated Framework Plan for the Shannon Estuary) to Limerick County Development Plan 2010-2016 – ongoing
Ruth is managing this project that will ensure the variation to the existing County Development Plan meets the requirements of the SEA and AA Directive. Working with ecological specialist Pat Doherty, the project involves all key stages of SEA and AA and has included fieldwork on sites in and along the Shannon Estuary.
SEA and AA of County Offaly Greenways Strategy, Offaly County Council
Working with Doherty environmental Minogue and Associates undertook the SEA and AA of the County Greenways strategy; part of this work will include preparation of an EIA Screening report for a part 8 planning application to undertake improvement works to the Grand Canal.
SEA and AA of Offaly County Development Plan, Offaly County Council, 2013-2014
Ruth project managed the SEA and AA of the above plan which also included a revised Wind Energy Strategy. The plan was adopted in September 2014.
Strategic Environmental Assessment and Habitats Directive Assessment of Loughrea, Oranmore and Athenry Local Area Plans 2012 -2018 – Galway County Council
Working with Doherty Environmental and ERA Maptec, Ruth undertook the SEA of these three Local Area Plans for Galway County Council.
County Galway Wind Energy Strategy SEA and HDA 2011- Galway County Council
Ruth worked closely with Galway County Council and Doherty Environmental in undertaking the SEA and AA of the draft County Galway Wind Energy Strategy which was adopted as a variation to the current Co Galway Development Plan 2009 – 2015.
Review of SEA of Local Area Plans, Environmental Protection Agency, 2010 – Environmental Protection Agency
Ruth assisted the EPA in undertaking reviews of SEAs and Local Area Plans in the County Cork functional area.
SEA and AA of the draft Limerick City Development Plan 2010 to 2016 – Limerick City Council
Ruth prepared and led the team undertaking a SEA and AA of the draft Limerick City Development Plan. The plan has recently been adopted and the full SEA process has been completed.
County Clare Wind Energy Strategy, SEA and AA- Clare County Council, 2009
Ruth led the study team that developed the well received Clare Wind Energy Strategy recently adopted as a variation of the Clare County Development Plan; she also prepared the SEA and managed the team undertaking the Appropriate Assessment.
SEA Research for the Environmental Protection Agency
Identification of indicators to measure landscape change in SEA, EPA 2018
Ruth researched the above to help inform the EPA in how to address the monitoring of landscape change through the SEA process. She reviewed and identified good practice across a a number of SEA landuse plans including spatial planning, water and energy.
Assessment of how landscape character assessment may assist treatment of landscape issues in SEA in Ireland. A best practice review. EPA – 2016
Ruth is currently researching best practice in LCA and SEA for the Environmental Protection Agency with the aim of demonstrating good practice from the island of Ireland and elsewhere in relation to LCA and how it may enhance SEA. Case studies have included forestry, transport, flooding and spatial planning.
Review of County Mayo Renewable Energy Strategy, on behalf of Environmental Protection Agency, 2010-2011
Ruth reviewed the above plan and SEA as part of the EPA’s review role in the statutory process