Louth County Development Plan 2021–2027

1. Page 281

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   Chapter 8 – Natural Heritage, Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 8-17 The Council will require that an ecological assessment (including where necessary an Environmental Impact Assessment) is carried out at the appropriate level in relation to proposals for drainage or reclamation of wetlands. Policy Objective NBG 19 To ensure that an appropriate level of ecological assessment is carried out for proposals involving drainage, infill or reclamation of wetland habitats. Policy Objective NBG 20 To protect and enhance wetland sites that have been rated A (International), B (National), C+ (County), C and D importance in the Louth Wetland Surveys and any subsequent versions thereof. Policy Objective NBG 21 To support the implementation of recommendations included in the Louth Wetland Survey and any subsequent versions thereof. Policy Objective NBG 22 To support the implementation of recommendations contained in the National Peatlands Strategy 2015 and any subsequent strategies. 8.10 LANDSCAPE The National Landscape Strategy (NLS) 2015-2025 will ensure compliance with the European Landscape Convention, which Ireland ratified in 2002. It provides a high level policy framework and recognises the importance of landscape protection and its interconnectivity with biodiversity and climate change. One of its core objectives is to develop a National Landscape Character Assessment, providing consistency on how to characterise and connect with the landscape, and provide a framework for regional and local landscape character assessments. It is fully supported in both the National Planning Framework (NPF) and the Eastern and Midland Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (EMRSES). 8.10.1 Landscape Character Assessment A Landscape Character Assessment essentially describes, maps, and classifies landscapes providing an understanding of the value and sensitivity of the County’s landscapes and its future management needs. It facilitates the identification of features, which endow a specific area with its sense of place whilst aiding the provision of policy recommendations. In 2002 the Council, in accordance with the Government’s Draft Guidelines for Landscape and Landscape Assessment (2000) prepared a Landscape Character Assessment for the County involving a 2 stage approach. Stage 1 identified and classified nine Landscape Character Areas (LCA’s) in County Louth, which represent specific geographical areas of a particular landscape type or types.

2. Page 282

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   Chapter 8 – Natural Heritage, Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 8-18 Stage 2 appraised the landscape character sensitivity and values, assigning key landscape values and corresponding objectives in addition to categorising each LCA as being of international, national, regional or local importance. Criteria used in the evaluation was based on the following: • Landscape Quality – interactions of the landscape and the condition of features and elements; • Scenic Quality – landscapes which appeal primarily to the visual senses; • Rarity – the presence of rare features and elements in the landscape; • Conservation Interests – presence of features and particular wildlife, earth science, archaeological, historical and cultural interest which can add to the value of a landscape as well as having value in their own right; • Wildness – presence of wild character within the landscape which makes a particular contribution to a sense of place; • Recreational Opportunity – degree of open-air recreation within the landscape in proximity to centres of population; • Cultural Association – with particular people, artists, writers, historical events, legends; • Tranquillity – low levels of built environment, traffic, noise and where artificial lighting is at a minimum; and • Stakeholder Representative – whether the landscape contains a particular character worthy of representation by stakeholders. Louth’s nine Landscape Character Areas are identified in Table 8. 5 and Map 8.5. The potential landscape capacity of each LCA is based on indicative types of development that are likely to occur within the study area. The Louth Landscape Character Assessment 2002 identified a range of forces for landscape change in the rural landscape and these included inter alia: agriculture, rural housing, wind farms, commercial development, quarrying etc. The Louth Landscape Character Assessment 2002 is available at the following link. Table 8.5: Landscape Character Areas Landscape Character Areas Importance • Carlingford Lough and Mountains incl. West Feede Uplands International • Boyne & Mattock Valley National • Dundalk Bay Coast • Dunany to Boyne Estuary Coast • Uplands of Collon and Monasterboice Regional • Cooley Lowlands and Coastal Area • Lower Faughart, Castletown and Flurry River basin • Louth Drumlin and Lake Areas • Muirhevna Plain Local

3. Page 283

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   Chapter 8 – Natural Heritage, Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 8-19 Map 8.5: Landscape Character Areas

4. Page 284

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   Chapter 8 – Natural Heritage, Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 8-208-20 8.10.2 Landscape Conservation Area Section 204 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) enables a Planning Authority, for the purposes of the preservation of a landscape, designate an area or place within its functional area as a Landscape Conservation Area. In so doing, the planning authority can prescribe certain developments which would normally be exempt but would not be exempt in a designated conservation area. The Louth Landscape Character Assessment 2002 recommended that consideration be given to the designation of Carlingford Mountain SAC as a Landscape Conservation Area. The Council, during the lifetime of the Plan will, in consultation with the relevant department and stakeholders, explore the possibility of designating Carlingford SAC as a Landscape Conservation Area. Policy Objective NBG 23 To ensure the preservation of the uniqueness of a landscape character type by having regard to its character, value and objectives in accordance with national policy and guidelines and the Louth Landscape Character Assessment and by ensuring that new development meets high standards of siting and design and does not unduly damage or detract from the character of a landscape or natural environment. Policy Objective NBG 24 To ensure development reflects and, where possible, reinforces the distinctiveness and sense of place of the landscape character types including the retention of important features or characteristics, taking into account the various elements, which contribute to their distinctiveness such as scenic quality, habitats, settlement pattern, historic heritage and land use. Policy Objective NBG 25 Where appropriate, require that landscape and visual impact assessments prepared by suitably qualified professionals be submitted with development applications, which may have significant impact on landscape character areas, especially in highly sensitive areas. Policy Objective NBG 26 To explore the designation of Landscape Conservation Areas as appropriate, in conjunction with the relevant Government Department and stakeholders to protect specific important landscapes and particularly in respect of Carlingford Mountain SAC.

5. Page 285

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   Chapter 8 – Natural Heritage, Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 8-21 Policy Objective NBG 27 To review and update, if necessary the Louth Landscape Character Assessment 2002 on foot of a framework for regional and local landscape character assessments as outlined in the National Landscape Strategy 2015-2025. Policy Objective NBG 28 To co-operate with adjoining local authorities, both north and south of the border, to ensure that the environment is maintained in a sustainable manner and to support the coordinated designation of sensitive landscapes and policy approaches with adjoining areas and on all aspects of environmental protection, particularly where transboundary environmental vulnerabilities are identified. 8.11 TREES, WOODLANDS AND HEDGEROWS Trees, woodlands and hedgerows contribute greatly to Louth’s natural landscape character and biodiversity. They provide visual amenity in rural and urban environments, shelter and clean air, important habitats for many species of wildlife and as high biodiversity habitats they are key for both climate mitigation and adaptation measures, playing a significant role in carbon storage. Ireland is the least wooded country in the EU. Louth’s percentage forest area is one of the lowest in the country and in this context, the conservation of existing woodlands is increasingly important. Many of Louth’s surviving woodlands are located within large estates, where they were often planted as part of landscaping projects and contributed to designed landscapes. Trees and in particular groups of trees can represent an important component of the local landscape and townscape, the setting of buildings and the means of providing successful integration of new development into the landscape. Development can, if not sensitively designed, sited and constructed, result in the loss or damage of trees. Thus, it is desirable that existing trees be considered in the formulation and assessment of development proposals. Where trees or groups of trees of particular value may be at risk from development or other activities, consideration may be given to the making of a Tree Preservation Order. New planting should be encouraged and promoted to ensure the continued regeneration of tree cover generally and avoid key groupings of trees becoming increasingly aged and unhealthy.

6. Page 286

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   Chapter 8 – Natural Heritage, Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 8-22 Hedgerows make an important contribution to the County, serving as important habitat and wildlife corridors for the movement and distribution of flora and fauna through the landscape (habitat for insects, nesting sites for birds, assist small mammals and bat species). They simultaneously contribute to the natural heritage and visual amenity of the area, in addition to preserving the rural character of an area and in screening development. A sample survey of Louth’s hedgerows in 2014 found that Louth had the highest density of hedgerows in Ireland, slightly ahead of neighbouring County Monaghan. Other than in exceptional circumstances, there will be a presumption against the removal of trees and hedgerows. Where the removal of trees and hedgerows is unavoidable, the Council will require their replacement or adequate substitution. 8.11.1 Tree Preservation Orders Section 205 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) allows planning authorities to make provision for the preservation of any tree, trees, groups of trees or woodlands by way of a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) where it is carried out in the interest of expediency, amenity or the environment. Tree Preservation Orders made to date by the Council are listed in Table 8.6 and illustrated in Maps 8.6, 8.7, 8.8, 8.9 and 8.10. Table 8.6: Tree Preservation Orders, County Louth DROGHEDA COUNTY Ref. No Location Ref. No. Location TPO 1 Bayview House TPO 2 Fox Covert, Ardee TPO 3 Ardee Golf Club (TPO 2 falls entirely within this area) TPO 4 Red House, Ardee TPO 5 Mell, Drogheda TPO 6 One Mile Wood, Newtownstalaban

7. Page 287

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   Chapter 8 – Natural Heritage, Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 8-23 Map 8.6: TPO1 (Bayview House Drogheda)

8. Page 288

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   Chapter 8 – Natural Heritage, Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 8-24 Map 8.7: TPO 2 (Fox Covert, Ardee) and TPO 3 (Ardee Golf Club)

9. Page 289

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   Chapter 8 – Natural Heritage, Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 8-25 Map 8.8: TPO 4 (Red House, Ardee)

10. Page 290

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    Chapter 8 – Natural Heritage, Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 8-26 Map 8.9: TPO 5 (Mell, Drogheda)

Source Louth County Council: Louth 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.