Laois County Development Plan 2021–2027

1. Page 261

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   Chapter 11 Biodiversity and Natural Heritage 259 | P a g e The Assessment will help developers select less sensitive sites for development. Landscape Character Types are distinct types of landscape that are relatively homogenous in character. They are generic in nature in that they may occur in different localities throughout any defined area. Nonetheless, where they do occur, they commonly share similar combinations of geology, topography, land cover and historical land use. For example, blanket bog uplands are distinct landscape character types and are recognisable as such whether they occur in County Laois or other counties. The Landscape Character Areas for County Laois are as follows and are identified in Map 11.7. Table 11.6 also classifies the sensitivity of each area when assessing development. • Hills and Upland • Lowland Agricultural Areas • River Corridors and Lakes • Mountain Areas • Peatland Areas • Urban Fringes • Rolling Hills Map 11.7: Landscape Character Assessment

2. Page 262

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   Chapter 11 Biodiversity and Natural Heritage 260 | P a g e Table 11.6: Landscape Sensitivity Sensitivity Landscape Character Area and Special Features Description Low Sensitivity Lowland Agricultural Areas, Urban Fringes Areas with the capacity to generally accommodate a wide range of uses without significant adverse effects on the appearance or character of the area Medium Sensitivity Rolling Hills and Hills and Upland Areas Areas with the capacity to accommodate a range of uses without significant adverse effects on the appearance or character of the landscape having regards to localised sensitivity factors High Sensitivity Peatlands, River Corridors and Lakes, Mountain Areas, European Sites Areas with reduced capacity to accommodate uses without significant adverse effects on the appearance or character of the landscape having regard to prevalent sensitivity factors or special sensitivity factors Policy Objectives for Landscape Character Areas LCA 1 Ensure that consideration of landscape sensitivity, as indicated in Table 11.6 of the Plan, is an important factor in determining development uses In areas of high landscape sensitivity, the design, type and the choice of location of proposeddevelopment in the landscape will also be critical considerations. LCA 2 Protect and enhance the county’s landscape, by ensuring that development retains, protects and, where necessary, enhances the appearance and character of the existing local landscape and conserve valuable habitat including any European and National Designations. LCA 3 Seek to ensure that local landscape features, including historic features andbuildings, hedgerows, shelter belts and stone walls, are retained, protected and enhanced where appropriate, so as to preserve the local landscape and character of an area, whilst providing for future development.

3. Page 263

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   Chapter 11 Biodiversity and Natural Heritage 261 | P a g e Policy Objectives for Landscape Character Areas LCA 4 Seek to minimise the individual and cumulative adverse visual impacts that local concentrations of one-off housing, outside of settlements, may have on Hills and Upland, River Corridor and Lakes and Mountain landscape character areas or High Sensitivity areas. In this regard, in locations where the Council considers that there is a risk of individual or cumulative adverse impacts, the Council will only consider proposals for housing developments where a need for the dwelling has been demonstrated in accordance with the criteria contained in the Rural Housing Policy contained in Chapter 4. Policy Objectives for Hills and Uplands Areas and Mountain Areas LCA 5 Ensure that development will not have a disproportionate visual impact (due to excessive bulk, scale or inappropriate siting) and will not significantly interfere with or detract from scenic upland vistas, when viewed from areas nearby, scenic routes, viewpoints and settlements. LCA 6 Ensure that developments on steep slopes (i.e. >10%) will not be conspicuous or have a disproportionate visual impact on the surrounding environment as seen from relevant scenic routes, viewpoints and settlements. LCA 7 Facilitate, where appropriate, developments that have a functional and locational requirement to be situated on steep or elevated sites (e.g. reservoirs, telecommunication masts or wind energy structures) where residual adverse visual impacts are minimised or mitigated. LCA 8 Maintain the visual integrity of areas which have retained a largely undisturbedupland character and Respect the remote character and existing low-density development in these areas. LCA 9 Have regard to the potential for screening vegetation when evaluating proposals for development within the uplands. LCA 10 Actively propose the designation of the Slieve Blooms as a Special Amenity Area and seek an Order to that effect. LCA 11 Protect the positive contribution that views across adjacent lowland areas and landmarks within the landscape make to the overall landscape character. Policy Objectives for Lowland Agricultural Areas LCA 12 Recognise that this lowland landscape character area includes areas of significant landscape and ecological value, which are worthy of protection, particularly the 18thand 19th century estate landscapes and associated parkland & woodland to develop them as a tourism resource. LCA 13 Continue to permit development that can utilise existing structures, settlement areas and infrastructure, whilst taking account of the visual absorption opportunities provided by existing topography and vegetation.

4. Page 264

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   Chapter 11 Biodiversity and Natural Heritage 262 | P a g e LCA 14 Recognise that the lowlands are made up of a variety of working landscapes, which are critical resources for sustaining the economic and social wellbeing of the county. LCA 15 Promote good agricultural practices to create a sustainable rural economy and support incentives for smaller rural/family farms to manage their land to avoid loss of hedgerows and field patterns. Policy Objectives for River Corridors and Lakes Areas LCA 16 Recognise the importance of river corridors for scenic value, ecology, history, culture and for recreational purposes such as walking, cycling and various on-water activities. LCA 17 Maintain the rivers throughout the county whilst ensuring that all works are carried out subject to appropriate environmental assessment in accordance with Article 6 of the Habitats Directive, in respect of any proposed development likely to have an impact on a designated natural heritage site, site proposed to be designated and any additional sites that may be designated during the period of this Plan. LCA 18 Preserve riverside historic features and their landscape settings and Conserve valuable habitats focused on and around river corridors and estuaries includingEuropean and national designations. LCA 19 Recognise the potential constraints on development created by river flood plains and the value of these flood plains as increasingly rare habitats. LCA 20 Avoid unsustainable exploitation of watercourses, e.g. for abstraction and dilution of effluent, to the point that these water courses lose their ecological and amenity value. LCA 21 Collaborate with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Waterways Ireland and other relevant stakeholders to facilitate public access to waterway corridors and maintain and enhance the natural character of rivers, lakes and canals by reserving land to facilitate walking, cycling and other non-noise generating recreational activities. LCA 22 Explore the establishment of the Barrow/Nore Valley and the Grand Canal as Areas of Special Amenity, as per section 202 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). Policy Objectives for Peatland Areas LCA 23 Recognise the importance of peatlands for ecology, history, culture and foralternative energy production. LCA 24 Conserve valuable habitats including any European and national designations. LCA 25 Support the identification of projects that have the potential to achieve commercial value such as industrial developments, renewable energy, tourism developments etc. while at the same time promoting high environmental standards and supporting Biodiversity objectives. LCA 26 Support the restoration of peatlands on suitable sites.

5. Page 265

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   Chapter 11 Biodiversity and Natural Heritage 263 | P a g e Policy Objectives for Peatland Areas LCA 27 Recognise that intact boglands are critical natural resources for ecological and environmental reasons and recognise that cutaway and cut-over boglands represent degraded landscapes and/or brownfield sites and thus are potentially robust to absorb a variety of appropriate developments. Policy Objectives for Urban Fringe Areas LCA 28 Diversify the urban fringe by developing mixed-use amenity areas, which will create a landscape buffer creating a transition between urban and rural areas. LCA 29 Define the urban fringe with planting of native species and mixed woodland to tie into existing rural landscape. Policy Objectives for Rolling Hill Areas LCA 30 Maintain the visual integrity of rolling hill areas which have retained an uplandcharacter. LCA 31 Continue to facilitate appropriate development, in an incremental and clustered manner, where feasible, that respects the scale, character and sensitivities of the local landscape, recognising the need for sustainable settlement patterns and economic activity within the county. LCA 32 Continue to permit development that can utilise existing infrastructure, whilst taking account of local absorption opportunities provided by the landscape, landform and prevailing vegetation. 11.11.1 VIEWS AND PROSPECTS Scenic routes and protected views consist of important and valued views and prospects within the county. Table 11.7 below, lists the specific scenic views of the landscape, many of which are located along scenic routes and include built and archaeological features. Map 11.8 also indicates such scenic views within the county. The Council recognises the need to protect the character of the county by protecting views and scenic routes. However, it is acknowledged that in certain circumstances, some development may be necessary. Table 11.7: Scenic Views and Prospects in County Laois No. View From View To 001 Road No. L3896 in the townlands Killeshin, Rossmore Views towards lowlands of Graiguecullen/Carlow 002 N80 in the townlands of Stradbally [The Windy Gap] Views of the Windy Gap 003 N80 in the townlands of Stradbally Views of the Windy Gap 004 Road No. L5753 in the townlands Cullahill Views towards Knockmannon Hill

6. Page 266

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   Chapter 11 Biodiversity and Natural Heritage 264 | P a g e No. View From View To 005 Road No. L1005 in the Slieve Bloom Mountains Slieve Bloom Mountains views towards Clodiagh River over lowlands 006 Road No. L1005 in the Slieve Bloom Mountains Slieve Bloom Mountains views towards Delour River over lowlands 007 Road No. L10317 in the Slieve Bloom Mountains Slieve Bloom Mountains, Killeen River 008 N80 in the townlands of Stradbally, Portlaoise Views towards Rock of Dunamaise 009 N80 in the townlands of Stradbally, Portlaoise Views towards Hewson Hill 010 N80 in the townlands of Mountmellick Views towards Slieve Bloom Mountains 011 R445 in the townlands of The Heath Views towards Carrigeen Hill 012 The village lands of Raheen Views over farmland 013 N77 in the townlands of Abbeyliex, Durrow Views over farmland and River Nore 014 R639 in the townlands of Cullahill, Durrow Views towards Caponellan Hill 015 R639 in the townlands of Cullahill, Durrow Views over farmland and River Goul 016 R445 in the townlands of Castletown Views over farmland and Slieve Bloom Mountains 017 R422 in the townlands of Clonaslee Views over farmland and Slieve Bloom Mountains 018 N80 in the townlands of Stradbally Views over farmland and River Bauteogue 019 Road No. L3840 in the townlands of Timahoe Views over farmland and Hewson Hill 020 Road No. L3840 in the townlands of Timahoe Views over farmland and Ballaghmore Hill 021 Road No. L5757 in the townlands of Clonaslee Views of Cullahill Castle and Knockmannon Hill 022 Heywood Demense Views of Mass Lough and of Ballymartin Hill beyond 023 Heywood Demense Views over farmland and of Ballymartin Hill

7. Page 267

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   Chapter 11 Biodiversity and Natural Heritage 265 | P a g e Map 11.8: Scenic Views and Prospects Policy Objectives for Views and Prospects SV 1 Protect views from designated scenic routes indicated in Table 11.7 and Map 11.8 (Scenic Views and Prospects in County Laois) of the Plan, by avoiding any development that could disrupt the vistas or disproportionately impact on the landscape character of the area, thereby affecting the scenic and amenity value of the views. SV 2 Review and update all Scenic Routes and Views in the county during the lifetime of the Plan. 11.11 GEOLOGY Geology is an intrinsic component of the natural heritage of Laois. The Geological Survey of Ireland established the Irish Geological Heritage Programme in 1998. The programme identifies and selects the very best national sites for NHA designation, to represent the country's geology. It is also identifies many sites of national or local geological heritage importance, which are classed as County Geological Sites (CGS). These sites will be protected primarily through their inclusion in the County Development Plan. The Council recognises that Geology is an intrinsic component of natural heritage within the Planning Acts and Regulations and the Heritage Act 1995 to be protected and promoted for its heritage value and for its potential for recreational and geo-tourism initiatives and that it must ensure that geological heritage is adequately addressed in Development Plans.

8. Page 268

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   Chapter 11 Biodiversity and Natural Heritage 266 | P a g e While the most important geological sites and geomorphological scientific sites will be designated as NHAs the National Heritage Plan (2002) has recommended the recognition and protection of other important sites known as County Geological Sites. The Irish Geological Programme (a partnership between the GSI and NPWS) identifies CGs, that although of national, regional and local importance will not receive the statutory protection of NHA sites. Policy Objectives for Geology GEO 1 Work with stakeholders to protect, preserve, enhance, maintain, manage, conserve, recognise and, where appropriate, restore the character conservation value andintegrity of these sites for their amenity, scientific, heritage and historic values (including County Geological Sites listed in Table 28, proposed NHA’s, areas near site and areas of geomorphological interest. GEO 2 Protect geological NHAs as they become designated and notified to the LocalAuthority, during the lifetime of the Plan. GEO 3 Promote and encourage, where practicable and when not in conflict with ownership rights, accessto geological and geomorphological features. GEO 4 Encourage and facilitate the development of geo-tourism by conserving and managing geological resources, and by the development of a Rock Trail (named), Geoparks or other similar geo-tourism initiatives. Map 11.9: Geological Sites

9. Page 269

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   Chapter 11 Biodiversity and Natural Heritage 267 | P a g e Table 11.8: County Geological Sites SITE NAME PRINCIPAL CHARACTERISTICS TOWNLAND(S)/DISTRICT SUMMARY DESCRIPTION Abbeyleix Bog Peatland Tullyroe, Abbeyleix Demesne, Killamuck Abbeyleix Bog comprises an extensive area of peatland extending in a low-lying hollow Arless Quarry Quarry Rathtillig / Arless, south of Athy Small disused quarry. Shows basal Namurian contact Ballyadams Quarry Quarry Ballyadams formation Quarry Baunreagh Quarry Quarry Baunreagh Small roadside quarry in two sections Carrolls Quarry Ballysteen Limestone Formation Knockacoller / Castletown Typical representative of Ballysteen Limestone Formation. Quarry contains some cherty limestone and dolomite. Castlecomer Artesian Borehole Artesian Well Moyadd / Swan Artesian well Clogh River braided river channel Swan Series of dry braided river channels are found along the tightly meandering Clogh River. Braided or transitional to braided river may be influenced by input of sediment from mining waste Clonaslee Eskers Esker ridges Garryhedder, Coolagh, Castlecuffe, Larragan, Ballykineen Lower A complex series of ridges that bends around Slieve Bloom to become the Ridge of Portlaoise. Should be considered on its' own, however, as it has its own orientation and topography which is distinct from the Portlaoise Ridge. (Part of the Kinnity- Clonaslee Esker extending from Co. Laois to Co. Offaly)

10. Page 270

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    Chapter 11 Biodiversity and Natural Heritage 268 | P a g e SITE NAME PRINCIPAL CHARACTERISTICS TOWNLAND(S)/DISTRICT SUMMARY DESCRIPTION Clopook Cave Cave Clopook Small cave is situated in the side of a possible relict karst tower Darkin Well Spring Straboe Spring rising within a fenced compound. Farnans Quarry Quarry Farnans Working sandstone quarry Flemings Fireclay Quarries Fireclays Slatt Upper, Slatt Lower / Swan Double fireclays. The term fireclay was introduced by Richard Griffith Glebe Quarry Quarry Glebe Quarry exposes Devonian rocksof the Clonaslee Member, comprising the upper part of the Cadamstown Formation Glenbarrow Fluvial and Lacustrine Geomorphology Glenbarrow Long section in the bed and banks of the river in Glenbarrow Hollymount Important Neogene site and Miocene - Late Pliocene Hollymount / Carlow This is an important Neogene (Miocene - Late Pliocene) site. dark nonmarine clays & sands >50m with Miocene - Late Pliocene flora. Only proven Miocene in ROI Killeany Quarry Quarry Killeany Small quarry cut into a small, but prominent, steep-sided limestone hill. Killeshin Glen Fossiliferous Rocks, Goniatites and Killeshin Siltstone Formation Coorlaghan, Keeloge /Killeshin A valuable stream section through Upper Namurian fossiliferous rocks in which goniatites are frequent. The Killeshin Siltstone Formation is mainly grey argillaceous or silty mudstones (Higgs 1987) poorly bedded with occasional plant remains, dark grey to black shales occur occasionally

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.