CAAS can provide Local Authorities with a broad range of services that include:
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Since the introduction of the legislation in 2004, CAAS has been at the forefront of developing techniques for the preparation of Strategic Environmental Assessments [SEAs] for plans and programmes. To date we have carried out over sixty SEAs for every level of the planning hierarchy. Read more
Appropriate Assessment
We provide advice on all aspects of Appropriate Assessment [AAs] to comply with the requirements of the Habitats Directive. We have prepared over fifty AAs for every level of the land use planning hierarchy – from local landuse plans to national infrastructure strategies. Read more
Flood Planning
We are working with planners all over Ireland on the incorporation of Flood Risk Assessments into all scales of land-use plans, from regional to local. This work is typically linked with our work on SEAs and AAs during plan preparation and review. Read more
Landscape Studies
Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) as well as Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment are a speciality of the CAAS service. We have contributed to key publications such as the Landscape and Visual Assessment Guidelines for the Landscape Institute (UK) and we have prepared LCAs for over a quarter of the counties of Ireland. Read more
Development Management
For over forty years, CAAS has provided advice and support to Planning Authorities in the assessment of individual planning proposals – often availing of the ‘CAAS Subscription Service’ – to meet the onerous time constraints of the development management system. Read more
Urbanism and Community Planning
Urban Design and Masterplanning services are a cornerstone of the CAAS portfolio. For over forty years we have worked on urban settings of all sizes and scales – from neighbourhoods and villages, to large towns and cities, in times of unprecedented growth as well as decline. Read more
Walking and Cycling Strategies
We prepare walking and cycling strategies for settlements of all sizes – working closely with in-house engineering and planning services. These services cover all stages, from community liaison through to technical specification. Read more
Public Participation
CAAS has extensive experience in all forms of public participation – ranging from presentations to evening meetings with Tidy Towns Committees through technical presentations to Members or Committees to formal evidence to An Bord Pleanála Hearings. Read more
Environmental Impact Assessment
CAAS is a leading authority on all parts of the EIA process. We prepared the EIA Guidelines for the EPA and have been involved in other key publications. We have assisted numerous Local Authorities with their role in the EIA process, usually through review of EISs and preparation of detailed EIA reports to inform planning decisions and conditions. Read more
Tourism and Heritage Strategies
We prepare plans for the development and enhancement of tourism and heritage resources in both rural and urban areas in line with best practice with respect to technical considerations, heritage and tourism policies. Read more
Guidelines and Training
We provide training workshops and programmes as well as guidance material on all of our major areas of specialisation. Read more