Laois County Development Plan 2021–2027

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   Chapter 11 Biodiversity and Natural Heritage 249 | P a g e • create better quality and better-connected habitats to improve biodiversity and resilience • promote local food production in allotments and gardens The multiple benefits of GI are recognised in a number of national policy documents27: • The National Biodiversity Plan sees GI as crucial to achieving biodiversity targets and developing ecological corridors that allow the movement of species through their entire natural habitat. • The Strategy for the Future Development of National and Regional Greenways focuses on the economic and social benefits of creating and connecting greenways, particularly in rural areas. • The Flood Risk Management Guidelines highlight GIs key role in managing flood risk and adapting to climate change. • The Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the Eastern and Midlands Region recognises the strategic importance of developing GI assets across the region with specific objectives (RPO 7.22 and 7.23) that development plans and local area plans shall identify, protect, enhance, provide and manage Green Infrastructure in an integrated and coherent manner. Linking strategic natural assets with cultural and heritage assets further enhances the opportunities for GI strategies to drive recreation and tourism benefits. Specific to County Laois, the following GI, Cultural and Natural assets have been identified: Table 11.4 Strategic Natural Assets ASSET LOCATION Lakes, Rivers and Canals River Barrow, River Nore Greenways, Blueways and Peatways Barrow Blueway Uplands, Woodlands and Designated Sites and “Cullenagh mountain, Fossey mountain” Slieve Blooms (all SACs, SPAs, NHAs, pNHAs and Ramsar sites) Boglands and Peatlands Abbeyleix Bog National and Regional Parks Emo Court, Heywood Gardens Medieval, Historic and Walled Towns Abbeyleix 11.5.1 URBAN GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE In towns and villages, GI is a patchwork of natural areas that provides habitat, flood protection, cleaner air and cleaner water. Each town and village in the County should include urban GI to create corridors between and link green spaces, creating healthier environments and a greater sense of place. The following elements, many of which are sustainable Urban Drainage Systems, can be integrated into sites to create GI at an urban scale: • Rainwater Harvesting/Bioswales • Planter Boxes/Permeable Pavements • Green Streets/Green Parking • Green Roofs and Living Walls 27 European Union (2013): Building a Green Infrastructure for Europe

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   Chapter 11 Biodiversity and Natural Heritage 250 | P a g e • Urban Tree Canopy 11.5.2 GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGY FOR LAOIS It is the Council’s intention to develop a Green Infrastructure Strategy for the County in consultation will all key stakeholders and with the public during the lifetime of this Plan. The Strategy will identify key Green Infrastructure aims and objectives for the County taking account of the priority projects identified in this Plan and it will provide for the delivery of these projects including the provision of appropriate funding mechanisms. Policy Objectives for Green Infrastructure BNH 19 Ensure that areas and networks of Green Infrastructure are identified, protected, enhanced, managed and created to provide a wide range of environmental, social and economic benefits to communities. BNH 20 Develop and implement a Green Infrastructure Strategy for Laois in partnership with key stakeholders and the public which reflects a long-term perspective,including the need to adapt to climate change. Ensure the Green Infrastructure Strategy for Laois protects existing Green Infrastructure resources and plans for future Green Infrastructure provision. BNH 21 Require all Local Area Plans and Master Plans to protect, enhance, provide and manage Green Infrastructure in an integrated and coherent manner. Set targets for the provision of Green Infrastructure elements such as trees and green roofs as part of the preparation of Local Area Plans. BNH 22 Promote a network of paths and cycle tracks to enhance accessibility to the Green Infrastructure network, while ensuring that the design and operation of the routes respect and where possible enhances the ecological potential of each site. BNH 23 Encourage, pursuant to Article 10 of the Habitats Directive, the management of features of the landscape, such as traditional field boundaries and laneways, important for the ecological coherence of the Natura 2000 network and essential for the migration, dispersal and genetic exchange of wild species. BNH 24 To identify and map Green Infrastructure assets and sites of local biodiversity value over the lifetime of the Plan. Green Infrastructure Development Management Standard DM BNH 3 GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN Require all proposals for large scale development such as road or drainage schemes, wind farms, housing estates, industrial parks or shopping centres to submit a Green Infrastructure Plan as an integral part of a planning application. 11.6 TREES, WOODLANDS AND HEDGEROWS TREES AND WOODLANDS Trees play a crucial role in capturing pollutants and particulates from the air. Street trees can significantly improve air quality, which can in turn provide health benefits, if planned, planted and maintained carefully. Carbon storage relates to the carbon currently held in trees’ tissue (roots,

3. Page 253

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   Chapter 11 Biodiversity and Natural Heritage 251 | P a g e stem, and branches), whereas carbon sequestration is the estimated amount of carbon removed annually by trees. Trees can help mitigate climate change by sequestering atmospheric carbon as part of the carbon cycle. Trees and woodlands make a positive contribution to the county’s landscape biodiversity and townscapes providing wildlife habitats, soften hard urban edges and provide scale and backdrops to streets and buildings. Trees, either individually or in groups also make an important contribution to the landscape of many of the country house demesnes throughout the county. In urban settings trees or groups of trees can contribute significantly to the local landscape or townscape and to the successful integration of new buildings into the landscape. The planting or retention of mature trees can contribute to amenity and more attractive developments as well as providing important wildlife habitats. The retention of trees should be considered at the design stage of any development. They also filter out noise, dust and pollutants and prevent flooding by retaining moisture. A number of important tree groups have been identified in Map 11.5 and will be considered for Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) during the Plan period. Further assessment of important trees and groups of trees will also be considered during Local Area Plan reviews. Map 11.5: Trees, Views and Prospects HEDGEROWS Hedgerows define rural landscapes and are valuable for terrestrial forms of wildlife. They are particularly important for birds and woodland plants. They provide commuting and feeding corridors for bats. Where they are found in settlements they are significant habitats and corridors for biodiversity. Hedgerows also provide effective farmland barriers and boundaries, as well as vital habitats and landscape corridors for a vast array of native plants and wildlife. Most hedgerows were planted over the last 300 years or so following the enactment of legislation in the 18th century requiring landowners to enclose their land. However, heritage hedgerows which are considerably older than

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   Chapter 11 Biodiversity and Natural Heritage 252 | P a g e the majority of hedgerows often have strong links with native woodland that date back thousands of years and are of even greater biodiversity and historical value Good hedgerows can easily be identified by their structure and location in the landscape. Best quality hedgerows will have all the following characteristics: • A few mature trees, • A three tier structure (with trees, shrubs and herbs) • Few gaps and • Will not have been cut into a box shape. Shrubs (almost always) include hawthorn, blackthorn or and possibly dog rose. • The herb layer is found under the shrub layer. It should form a strip of tall grassland along the margin of the hedgerow. There is an extensive network of hedgerows throughout County Laois. There will be a firm presumption against the removal of hedgerows to facilitate development including where sight lines are deficient. In cases where removal is necessary, the planting of an equivalent length of native hedgerow will be required as a condition of planning permission. Further policy objectives in relation to the management of hedgerows for development is also provided in Chapter 4 Housing and Chapter 10 Infrastructure. Policy Objectives for Trees, Woodlands and Hedgerows BNH 25 Undertake a study within the lifetime of the Plan and for all Local Area Plans to document and map significant trees and groups of trees that require preservation and prepare Tree Preservation Orders for individual trees, groups of trees or woodland areas where expedient and in the interests of visual amenity, biodiversity and the environment. BNH 26 Protect individual trees, groups of trees and woodland in the interests of landscape conservation (including townscapes) and nature conservation as part of the development management process. BNH 27 Protect existing hedgerows, particularly of historical and archaeological importanceof townland boundaries, from unnecessary removal in order to preserve the rural character of the countryside ad promote biodiversity. BNH 28 Ensure that hedgerow removal to facilitate development is kept to an absoluteminimum and, where unavoidable, a requirement for mitigation planting will be required comprising a hedge of similar length and species composition to the original, established as close as is practicable to the original and where possible linking in to existing adjacent hedges. Native plants of a local provenance should be used for any such planting. BNH 29 Promote and develop urban forests in parkland and street trees in urban settlementsto enhance public realm and increase tree canopy coverage and diversity. BNH 30 Ensure that hedgerow and mature tree removal to facilitate development is kept toan absolute minimum and, where unavoidable, a requirement for mitigation planting will be required comprising a hedge of similar length and species composition to the original, established as close as is practicable to the original and where possible linking in to existing adjacent hedges. Native plants of a local provenance should be used for any such planting.

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   Chapter 11 Biodiversity and Natural Heritage 253 | P a g e Trees, Woodland and Hedgerows Development Management Standards DM BNH 4 MATURE TREES Where there are trees within an application site, or on land adjacent to it that could influence or be affected by proposed development (including street trees), the planning application must include a detailed submission prepared by a suitably qualified Arboriculturist in accordance with British Standard 5837: 2012 ‘Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction – Recommendations’. A Tree Management Plan shall be provided to ensure that trees are adequately protected during development and incorporated into the design of new developments. DM BNH 5 HEDGEROWS In dealing with applications for new developments, the Planning Authority will have regard to the following: a. Retention of a connected network of good quality hedgerows; b. The value of hedgerows as green infrastructure (landscape,biodiversity, shelter, supporting services to agriculture/horticulture; c. The avoidance of the unnecessary removal of hedgerows; d. If it is necessary to remove a hedgerow, developers should be reminded of their obligations under the Wildlife Acts not to remove or interfere with them during the bird nesting season, between March 1st and 31st August. Also, replacement or compensatory planting of hedgerows using indigenous species such as whitethorn or blackthorn only will be required; e. Proposals to integrate hedgerows into the layout of a new linear feature such as a road/ pedestrian/cycle track; f. Depending on the potential risks of anti-social activity or requirements for a more garden look the margins of these new hedgerows/woodlands/new shrubberies could be planted with colourful non natives (for amenity) or spiny shrubs to deter vandals. g. By occasionally mowing the grass margin of hedgerows (or part of it), they will look managed. As litter will accumulate in long grass along their margins arrangements will have to be made to carry out regular clean ups; h. Encouragement should be given to develop a new linear feature of biodiversity value such as a hedgerow or dry stone wall,particularly if this type of habitat is found adjacent to the development site; i. The use of native tree and shrub species similar to those found in adjacent hedgerows in new or replacement hedgerows; j. The wholesale removal of hedgerows to facilitate the achievement of adequate sightline visibility for one-off houses in the countryside will not be encouraged. 11.7 WATERWAYS AND WETLANDS The rivers and streams, lakes, wetlands and groundwater occurring within County Laois are home to a variety of habitats and species. Wetlands associated with rivers and streams, such as wet grasslands and marshes, are important for biodiversity and to help manage fluvial and pluvial flooding whilst supporting a quality, multi-functional green network generating multiple benefits for the environment, tourism and society.

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   Chapter 11 Biodiversity and Natural Heritage 254 | P a g e The waterways of County Laois include the Barrow, Nore and Erkina which flow in a northwestsoutheast trajectory and there are minor man-made lakes at Ballyfin, Grantstown and Heywood. The Barrow Blueway Project which is set to begin works in July 2020, is a coordinated project between Waterways Ireland, Laois County Council and Kildare County Council of the River Barrow Navigation system from Lowtown in Kildare, through the towns of Rathangan, Monasterevin, and Vicarstown to Athy. The planned upgrade is to provide a multi-use shared 46km off-road, flat accessible, public space and leisure route. In time this route could extend on to St Mullins in Carlow. The Grand Canal is a key element of Green Infrastructure in the County also passes through the north east of the county where it links to the wider River Barrow navigation system, the towpath of which provides an uninterrupted corridor for pedestrians and cyclists. The Mountmellick Line of the Grand Canal, built between 1827 and 1831, runs from the Barrow Line at Monasterevin via Portarlington to Mountmellick Wetland habitats are an important source of biodiversity and contain species such as otters (Lutra lutra), Salmon (Salmo salar), Kingfishers (Alcedo atthis), Freshwater crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes ) and Lamprey species, all protected under the Wildlife Acts of 1976 and 2000 and/or listed on the annexes of the EC Habitats Directive and Birds Directive. County Laois is particularly important for the Nore Pearl Mussel “Margaritifera durrovensis” and special mention is made of this species throughout the Plan and SEA. The species is protected under the Freshwater Pearl Mussel Nore Sub-Basin Management Plan [2009]. The Slieve Bloom Mountains are also designated as a Ramsar Site which is a site designated internationally forthe conservation of wetlands, particularly those of importance to waterfowl under The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat, the so-called Ramsar Convention. Policy Objectives for Waterways and Wetlands BNH 31 Protect waterbodies and watercourses from inappropriate development, to ensure they are retained for their biodiversity and flood protection values and to conserve and enhance where possible, the wildlife habitats of the County’s rivers and riparian zones, lakes, canals and streams which occur outside of designated areas to provide a network of habitats and biodiversity corridors throughout the county. BNH 32 Promote and develop the Barrow Blueway initiative and work with State Agencies, landowners, local communities and other relevant groups to protect and manage inland waters, river corridors and their floodplains from degradation and damage, and to recognise and promote them as natural assets of the urban and rural environment. BNH 33 Promote and Ffacilitate the development of the Grand Canal for cycling, walking and nature study in conjunction with the relevant bodies including Waterways Ireland to enhance its amenity. Investigate the possibility of developing long distance walking routes/Greenway, within the lifetime of the Plan, along the disused Mountmellick Grand Canal Line. BNH 34 Protect riparian corridors by reserving land along their banks for ecological corridors and maintain them free from inappropriate development. Where developments are proposed adjacent to waterways in previously undeveloped areas, the Planning Authority will require a general setback distance of a minimum of 10 metres from the waterways edge, subject to site-specific characteristics and the nature and design of the development. In previously developed areas, for example, within town centres, this general setback distance is likely to be reduced and should be part of any pre-planning consultations with the Council.

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   Chapter 11 Biodiversity and Natural Heritage 255 | P a g e Policy Objectives for Waterways and Wetlands BNH 35 Require that development along rivers set aside lands for pedestrian routes and cycleways that could link to the broader area and established settlements in the area. BNH 36 Provide for public access to waterways where feasible and appropriate, in partnership with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), Waterways Ireland and other relevant stakeholders, whilst maintaining them free from inappropriate development, subject to Ecological Impact Assessment and Appropriate Assessment, as appropriate. BNH 37 Protect the Nore Pearl Mussel through the measures set out in the Freshwater Pearl Mussel Nore Sub-Basin Management Plan (2009). BNH 38 Protect the migration of fish in the River Barrow Nore SAC from high risk barrier such weirs and bridge sills. BNH 39 Protect, conserve, preserve, manage and enhance wetlands(including fens and turloughs ) from infilling, fragmentation, degradation and protect and conserve their quality, character and features. Resist development (including land reclamation) which would destroy, fragment and degrade wetlands, coastal wetlands, estuarine marshland and control adjacent development by the use of buffer zones. 11.8 PEATLANDS Peatlands are one of the world’s most important ecosystems, covering a mere 3% of the world’s terrestrial surface and 20% of Ireland’s land area, containing 550 gigatonnes of carbon, making them the most important long term carbon sinks in the terrestrial biosphere. Peatland rehabilitation will also bring additional benefits of improving water quality and flood attenuation to downstream water-courses. The majority of larger peatland areas in the county are located in the north west within the Slieve Blooms and mid area of the County to the south and south west of Portlaoise. Approximately 3,000 ha of peatland is under the ownership of Bord Na Mona with much of the land utilised for industrial peat extraction for decades and consequently much of the overlying peat deposits has been cutaway. As Bord Na Mona transition away from commercial peat production and decarbonise business structures, the rehabilitated cutaway will naturally revert to a rich and diverse natural habitat enhancing biodiversity and supporting other ecosystem services by integrating other sustainable land-uses, including renewable energy and Green Infrastructure. Examples of Bord na Móna enabled Green Infrastructure in the county include the restored Abbeyleix bog (190ha), which is now leased to the local community as a conservation project and forms part of a Natural Walking Loop. Bord na Móna also restored Knockahaw Bog (Errill Bog) in 2018 as part of its Biodiversity Action Plan and peatland rehabilitation commitments. Knockahaw Bog is a relatively large restored raised bog of 312 ha located on the south east range of raised bog distribution in Ireland. Both Abbeyleix Bog and Knockahaw Bog are examples of high value biodiversity sites which can be prioritsed for similar tracts of boglands. Further details on the reuse of pealtlands are provided in Section 9.4 of the Plan.

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   Chapter 11 Biodiversity and Natural Heritage 256 | P a g e Policy Objectives for Peatlands BNH 40 The County Development will continue to support the objectives of the Strategic Framework for the Future use of Peatlands which identifies new potential future land uses and also seek to progress opportunities under Just Transition Fund. BNH 41 Protect the county’s designated peatland areas and landscapes and to conserve and manage their ecological, archaeological, cultural, and educational heritage by promoting high environmental standards in conjunction with Bord na Mona, NPWS, IPPC, NGO’s and local communities. BNH 42 Work with relevant agencies such as Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly, Bord na Mona, NPWS, Coillte and adjacent Local Authorities to prepare an integrated afteruse framework and management plans for the peatlands and related infrastructure, BNH 43 Support the preparation of a Sustainable Holistic Management Plan for the future use of the Industrial Peatlands in the County, which recognises the role of peatlands in carbon sequestration. BNH 44 Support the designation of a National Park for the peatlands area in the Midlands in conjunction with adjoining Local Authorities. BNH 45 Undertake a feasibility study to identify peatways, where appropriate and examine the tourist potential of same such as a peatway link from Portarlington to the Grand Canal and River Barrow Greenway. BNH 46 Support relevant agencies to provide for the future sustainable and environmentally sensitive use of large industrial peatlands at Cuil Na Mona. Development Management Standard for Peatlands DM BNH 6 PEATLANDS In the consideration of development on or adjacent to peatland areas, the following guiding principles should apply: • Consideration of the potential contribution of peatlands to climate change mitigation and adaptation including renewable energy production; Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027: Draft Stage Chapter 13 Development Management Standards 402; • Consideration of habitats and species of environmental significance; • Consideration of the potential contribution of peatlands to an existing or proposed greenway / blueway / peatway network; • Consideration of the ecosystem services and tourism potential provided by peatlands; • Development of peatlands shall ensure that there are no negative impacts on water quality and hydrology; • Consideration of peatland stability; • Achieving of a carbon emissions balance; and • Incorporation of fire mitigation measures such as fire breaks or ensuring access points and routes are suitable for travel by emergency services.

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   Chapter 11 Biodiversity and Natural Heritage 257 | P a g e 11.9 PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY As the population of the county grows and people become more aware of the importance of our built and natural heritage, the issue of access to the countryside and to heritage sites has become increasingly important. The formal process for designating rights of way is outlined in Section 14 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). Section 10(2)(o) of the Planning and Development Acts 2000 as amended state that a Development Plan shall include an objective for ‘the preservation of public rights of way which give access to seashore, mountain, lakeshore, riverbank or other place of natural beauty or recreational utility, which public rights of way shall be identified both by marking them on at least one of the maps forming part of the development plan and by indicating their location on a list appended to the development plan’. Existing public rights of way constitute an important amenity and the Council recognises the importance of maintaining established public rights of way and supporting initiatives for establishing walking routes in the county. This is, by its nature, a lengthy process which will be conducted throughout the lifetime of this Development Plan. Table 11.5 below provides a list and Map 11.6 shows the extent and location of such public rights of ways, identified to date, in accordance with this provision. It is important to note that this is not an exhaustive list and that the omission of a public right of way from this list shall not be taken as an indication that such a right of way is not a public right of way. Map 11.6: Public Rights of Way

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    Chapter 11 Biodiversity and Natural Heritage 258 | P a g e Table 11.5: Public Rights of Way in County Laois Ref No. Public Rights of Way Description PRW 1 Mountmellick Sli Na Slainte Footpath and public road PRW 2 Mountmellick Alternative Sli Footpath and public road PRW 3 Timahoe to Clopook Forest and road walk PRW 4 Mountrath Long Walk Road walk PRW 5 Ballyroan Walk River and road walk PRW 6 Portlaoise Sli na Slainte Footpath and public road There are significant stretches of land that were formerly in use as railway lines within the county / region. To the extent that these are engineering works negotiating difficult topographical obstacles, they constitute significant resources, with potential for use as corridors for amenity access, free from motorised traffic, and even have potential for a revived railway use. The Council encourages the consideration of proposals for development in these areas for local heritage and outdooractivities including the provision of recreational walkways or cycling routes. Policy Objectives for Public Rights of Way BNH 47 Preserve public rights of way which give access to, mountain, lakeshore,riverbank or other place of natural beauty or recreational utility indicated in Map 11.6 of the Plan. BNH 48 Review and protect existing public rights of way for the common good and bring forward proposals for the creation of public rights of way. Ensure that Public Rights of Way are well marked and signposted. BNH 49 Development will not be permitted where a public right of way will be affected unless the level of amenity loss is minimised by: • the footpath/bridleway being diverted is by the minimal practical distance • the route continuing to be segregated from vehicular traffic • Appropriate legal procedures have been undertaken to extinguish the existing right of way and to establish the new right of way to replace it 11.10 LANDSCAPE Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) is a process that describes, maps and classifies landscapes objectively. Defining landscape character enables an understanding to be formed of the inherent value and importance of individual landscape elements and the processes that may alter landscape character into the future. Laois County Council has prepared a Landscape Character Assessment to identify specific areas that are characterised by sensitive landscapes. (See Figure 11.6) Sensitive areas include upland areas, visually open and expansive areas and areas in the vicinity of natural heritage or built heritage assets or scenic views.

Source Laois County Council: Laois County Development Plan 2021–2027 (2021–2027) · Licence the publisher's termsText read from the publisher’s PDF; tables, maps and drawings do not survive as text, and page numbers are the PDF’s (its first page is 1). Check the original before relying on a passage.