Louth County Development Plan 2021–2027

1. Page 311

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   Chapter 8 – Natural Heritage, Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 8-47 Map 8.18: Views and Prospects, Drogheda

2. Page 312

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   Chapter 8 – Natural Heritage, Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 . 8-48 Map 8.19: Views and Prospects, Ardee

3. Page 313

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   Chapter 8 – Natural Heritage, Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 8-49 Policy Objective NBG 36 To protect the unspoiled natural environment of the Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) from inappropriate development and reinforce their character, distinctiveness and sense of place, for the benefit and enjoyment of current and future generations. Policy Objective NBG 37 To protect the unspoiled rural landscapes of the Areas of High Scenic Quality (AHSQ) from inappropriate development for the benefit and enjoyment of current and future generations. Policy Objective NBG 38 Protect and sustain the established appearance and character of views and prospects listed in Tables 8.14 – 8.18 of this Plan that contribute to the distinctive quality of the landscape, from inappropriate development. Policy Objective NBG 39 To improve, where necessary, public access to viewing points, subject to availability of resources. 8.13 SCENIC ROUTES Louth is fortunate to have many areas of high quality landscape especially along the coast, upland areas and river valleys reflected in the aforementioned Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Areas of High Scenic Quality and Views and Prospects. In association with these high quality, natural landscapes a series of important Scenic Routes have been identified which are of an amenity and tourism value, and which require protection. Applications for development must carefully consider the siting, design and landscaping of the proposed development to ensure that there are no significant alterations to the character of the area. Any development proposals, which would interfere with or adversely affect these Scenic Routes, will not be permitted. The Scenic Routes within County Louth are identified in Table 8.19 and illustrated on Map 8.20. Table 8.19: Scenic Routes, County Louth and Dundalk Reference No. Route SR 1 Faughart Hill, Faughart Upper SR 2 Ravensdale Road (Rockmarshall to Drumad) SR 3 Deerpark Road SR 4 Dromad via N1, Broughattin to Doolargy SR 5 Annaverna SR 6 Doolargy SR 7 Jenkinstown (Minor and Hill) SR 8 Ballymakellett SR 9 Jenkinstown to Piedmont SR 10 Jenkinstown to Omeath via Windy Gap

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   Chapter 8 – Natural Heritage, Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 . 8-50 Reference No. Route SR 11 Piedmont-Benagh-Spellickanee SR 12 Bush-Windy Gap-Edentober SR 13 Bush-Carlingford incl. Commons SR 14 Greenore-Carlingford- Omeath SR 15 Coast Road-Whitestown-Ballagan-Ballytrasna SR 16 Coast Road, Dromiskin SR 17 Townparks, Ardee SR 18 Castlebellingham-Annagassan-Clogherhead-Termonfeckin SR 19 Baltray-Queensborough-Beaulieu SR 20 Slane Road, Townley Hall SR 21 King William’s Glen SR 22 Mount Oriel (Collon-Belpatrick) SR 23 Coastal Road, Blackrock Village Policy Objective NBG 40 To prohibit inappropriate development which would interfere with or adversely affect the Scenic Routes as identified in Table 8.19 and illustrated on Map 8.20.

5. Page 315

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   Chapter 8 – Natural Heritage, Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 8-51 Map 8.20: Scenic Routes, County Louth and Dundalk

6. Page 316

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   Chapter 8 – Natural Heritage, Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 . 8-52 8.14 GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE 8.14.1 Introduction Green infrastructure is an interconnected network of green spaces that help conserve natural ecosystems, in both urban and rural locations, and provide benefits to human populations through water purification, flood control, carbon capture, food production and recreation. Such spaces include woodlands, coastlines, flood plains, hedgerows, urban parks and street trees. Green Infrastructure incorporates green spaces (or blue if aquatic ecosystems are concerned) and other physical features in terrestrial (including coastal) and marine areas. Green infrastructure provision is an essential element in delivering a high quality of life for both existing and new communities and creating a high quality environment with a distinct sense of place. The protection, enhancement, creation and connection of green infrastructure is crucial to the sustainable development of the County. Green infrastructure by its nature is multi-functional in terms of uses. These include but are not limited to wildlife, recreational, cultural and heritage experiences in addition to delivering environmental services such as sustainable water drainage and flood protection. It can include uplands, wetlands, woodlands, rivers, lakes, and coastal areas. Green Infrastructure can also refer to landscape elements at all spatial scales including parks, open spaces, farmland, private gardens, hedgerows, green corridors, and the open countryside. It is capable of delivering a wide range of economic, environmental and quality of life benefits for local communities including: • Supports habitats for wildlife, biodiversity and fragile ecosystems allowing them to flourish; • Promotes recreation, tourism and culture; • Increases outdoor physical activity, social interaction and access to nature, improving health and well-being; • Attracts business and inward investment by creating an attractive environment; • Creates a sense of place and local distinctiveness; • Assists in climate change adaptation including flood alleviation; • Increases environmental education and awareness; and • Provides places for local food production through agriculture, allotments and gardens. The European Union’s Biodiversity Strategy 2011, seeks to halt biodiversity loss in Europe by 2020 including a target to ensure that by 2020, ‘ecosystems and their services are maintained and enhanced by

7. Page 317

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   Chapter 8 – Natural Heritage, Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 8-53 establishing Green Infrastructure and restoring at least 15% of degraded ecosystems’. In 2013 the EU published Building a Green Infrastructure for Europe alongside Green Infrastructure: Enhancing Europe’s Natural Capital, to provide a framework and strategy to promote and facilitate green infrastructure projects in policy promotion, support of projects, access to finance and promotion of information and innovation. The multiple benefits of Green Infrastructure are recognised in a range of national policy documents including, but not limited to, the National Biodiversity Plan (2017-2021), the Strategy for the Future Development of National and Regional Greenways (2019-2021), Creating Green Infrastructure for Ireland (2010) and Flood Risk Management Guidelines (2009). The NPF and the Eastern and Midland Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) identify and support key Guiding Principles for Green Infrastructure Strategies to be incorporated by Local Authorities in the preparation of their strategies. This includes support for the provision of green and blue infrastructure, the development of Strategic Green Infrastructure and an associated network of walking and cycling routes, which will aid in mitigating climate change impacts through carbon sequestration and the delivery of alternative energy supply. The Regulations on Nature Restoration (Nature Restoration Law) came into effect in August 2024, the purpose of which is to restore Europe’s biodiversity and to prevent any further biodiversity loss. Each member state is to develop its own National Restoration Plan. Ireland’s National Restoration Plan is to be in place by 2026. Once adopted, consideration shall be given to any requirements/recommendations of the National Restoration Plan, as applicable. The Regulations on Nature Restoration (Nature Restoration Law) came into effect in August 2024, the purpose of which is to restore Europe’s biodiversity and to prevent any further biodiversity loss. Each member state is to develop its own National Restoration Plan. Ireland’s National Restoration Plan is to be in place by 2026. Once adopted, consideration shall be given to any requirements/recommendations of the National Restoration Plan, as applicable. 8.14.2 Planning for Green Infrastructure Green Infrastructure planning is a proactive approach to the sustainable development of natural resources and biodiversity and recognises that connectivity and multi-functionality are key concepts therein. Protected natural areas cannot thrive in isolation. Maintaining and re-establishing connectivity between these natural areas is needed to restore the health of ecosystems and allow species to thrive across their entire natural habitat. Connected green spaces provide greater benefits to both people and wildlife rather than isolated green spaces. The Council recognises that Green Infrastructure planning involves a holistic approach, as an integral part of sustainable

8. Page 318

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   Chapter 8 – Natural Heritage, Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 . 8-54 development, alongside other infrastructure such as utilities and transport networks in order to maximise the benefits of our natural assets, while performing key functions for our communities. The conservation of ecological infrastructure such as hedgerows and riparian corridors facilitates and promotes the development of a ‘network of sites’ which strengthen and enhance our green infrastructure and facilitate the migration and exchange of species between conservations areas. To this end, and with a view to improving the ecological coherence of the Natura 2000 Network, the Council will encourage the management of features of the landscape, which are of major importance for wild flora and fauna. In addition, the Council will identify sites of local biodiversity value through implementation of the Draft Louth Heritage Plan 2021-2026 and the Local Biodiversity Action Plan for County Louth 2021-2026. 8.14.3 Louth’s Green Infrastructure Strategy A Green Infrastructure Strategy (GIS) has been incorporated into the Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027. The principles of a green infrastructure approach to land use planning have been embedded as a cross cutting theme in the policies and objectives of this Plan. The Strategic Objectives of Louth’s Green Infrastructure Strategy are outlined below: • Flood Risk Management and Climate Change Adaptation; • An Ecological Framework; • A Sustainable Movement Network; • A Sense of Place; • River Corridor and Coastal Management; • Support for Urban Regeneration; and • Community, Health and Enjoyment. The Green Infrastructure Strategy and associated development management guidance is included in Appendix 8, Volume 3. Louth’s Green Infrastructure Network is illustrated on Map 8.21. Policy Objective NBG 41 To support the green infrastructure network of County Louth and ensure its implementation in the assessment of all development proposals to prevent adverse impact on the ecological connectivity of County Louth’s Core Areas. Policy Objective NBG 42 To require the use of and develop the green infrastructure network, and support re-establishing connectivity to ensure the conservation and enhancement of biodiversity and as a supplementary guide for the protection and conservation of the European Sites in County Louth. Policy Objective NBG 43 To utilise all information available on the Louth Baseline Assessment as evidence based decision making in the Louth Core Strategy.

9. Page 319

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   Chapter 8 – Natural Heritage, Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 8-55 Policy Objective NBG 44 To protect, maintain, and enhance the natural and organic character of the watercourses in the County, including opening up to daylight where safe and feasible. The creation and/or enhancement of riparian buffer zones will be required where possible. All proposed coastal walkways will be required to comply with the Habitats, EIA and SEA Directives Policy Objective NBG 45 To prepare specific Green Infrastructure Strategies for the Regional Growth Centres of Drogheda and Dundalk and integrate into the local area plan for each settlement. Policy Objective NBG 46 To develop linear parks, particularly along waterways, and to link existing parks and open spaces in order to provide green chains that promote permeability for pedestrians and cyclists in the Regional Growth Centres of Drogheda and Dundalk. Policy Objective NBG 47 To support the existing features of interest in the Level 3 and 4 Settlements of County Louth and promote and facilitate any areas identified for green infrastructure enhancement. Policy Objective NBG 48 All future development proposals shall require within the overall design scheme the integration of environmental assets and existing biodiversity features including those identified in Table 9 of the Green Infrastructure Strategy Appendix 8, Volume 3, to enhance the quality, character and design of the proposal. Policy Objective NBG 49 To require the integration of green infrastructure and inclusion of native planting schemes in all development proposals in landscaped areas, open spaces and areas of public space. Policy Objective NBG 50 To incorporate all identified stone walls into development proposals. Where retention of the stone wall is not feasible there shall be a requirement to rebuild the stone wall at an alternative, suitable location. Policy Objective NBG 51 To require the integration of climate change mitigation measures in any future spatial plans and climate change adaptation measures in proposed developments.

10. Page 320

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    Chapter 8 – Natural Heritage, Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 . 8-56 Policy Objective NBG 52 To develop and support the implementation of a Regional Green Infrastructure approach by working collaboratively and in partnership with the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly, adjoining local authorities and other key stakeholders to identify, protect, enhance and manage existing green infrastructure within the County and to provide additional GI where possible. Policy Objective NBG 53 To support and increase investment in the on-going maintenance of existing, and provision of additional green infrastructure by accessing relevant EU funding mechanisms and national funding opportunities, including tourism related funding. Policy Objective NBG 54 To ensure the protection, enhancement and maintenance of Green Infrastructure in recognition of its health benefits in addition to the economic, social, environmental and physical value of green spaces, through the integration of Green Infrastructure planning and development in the planning process. Policy Objective NBG 55 To create an integrated and coherent green infrastructure for County Louth by ensuring compliance with the objectives listed in the Green Infrastructure Strategy outlined in Appendix 8, Volume 3, to improve pedestrian and cycle access routes within this green infrastructure network while ensuring that ecosystem functions and existing amenity uses are not compromised and existing biodiversity and heritage is protected and enhanced. Policy Objective NBG 56 To focus on ‘greening’ key streets in the Regional Growth Centres of Drogheda and Dundalk and key towns and villages by way of higher standards for planning and amenity along key routes. Policy Objective NBG 57 To ensure that no development, including clearing or storage of materials, takes place within a minimum distance of 10m measured from each bank of any river, stream or watercourse.

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.