Monaghan County Development Plan 2025–2031

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   119 Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 – 2031 chapter 06 heritage, conservation and landscape

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   6.0 INTRODUCTION Heritage is a broad concept, as defined in the Heritage Act, 1995, it includes monuments, archaeological and heritage objects, architectural heritage, flora, fauna, habitats, landscapes, seascapes, wrecks, geology, heritage gardens, parks and inland waterways. Heritage incorporates both natural and built resources, and in addition to these tangible physical expressions of heritage there is an intangible cultural heritage which includes music, language and folklore. Heritage is an asset inherited from our ancestors which we must preserve, protect and enhance for future generations to enjoy. The natural, built and cultural heritage all around us contributes to our sense of place and biodiversity and can be used as an asset for community engagement, economic development and as a resource for tourism and an improved quality of life. The Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) requires that planning authorities make provision in their Development Plans for the protection of landscape character including the preservation of views and prospects and the amenities of places and features of natural beauty and interest. In addition, Planning Authorities are also required to protect structures which are of special architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest. The protection and management of the County’s natural and built heritage is a shared responsibility. Monaghan County Council is committed to working with relevant agencies, communities and individuals to ensure the conservation, protection and enhancement of our natural and built heritage can be realised. Heritage Ireland 2030 – A Framework for Heritage and Ireland’s 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan 2023 – 2030 set out strategies and actions for the conservation and management of our heritage. A key feature of both plans is an enhanced role for Local Authorities in heritage management and awareness. The catalyst for this is through the preparation and implementation of County Heritage Plans and Biodiversity Action Plans. Biodiversity is an abbreviation of the term biological diversity and refers to the variety of life that can be found on earth. Biodiversity is a key facet of sustainable development and its protection and preservation is a principle objective of international conventions, and European and National Legislation. The over-arching aim of the Development Plan is to protect and enhance our natural and built heritage in an appropriate sustainable manner for the benefit of future generations. 6.1 HERITAGE PLANS AND BIODIVERSITY PLAN Heritage Plans set out objectives and actions to help understand, promote and conserve the heritage of the County for the future. The Heritage Plan comprises a five-year work plan which involves a local partnership with a range of individuals and organisations in order to be realised. The Heritage Council is a key national partner in this relationship, as it provides technical and financial support to develop and deliver the Heritage Plans. Previous heritage plans have played an important role in facilitating research, education, awareness, and training in relation to our built and natural heritage. The collection and dissemination of data in relation to species, habitats, buildings, and places provides for evidence-based decision making and the setting out of priorities and objectives for the future. The Heritage Plans have been effective in improving our knowledge on aspects of our natural heritage such as wetlands, fen species, hedgerows, dragonflies, and butterflies, amongst others, and in promoting best conservation policy and practice. In relation to built heritage, survey work and recording has been carried out in relation to our industrial architecture of mills, railways and canals, early medieval sites with church ruins, historic graveyards, and more recent church architecture. It is important to protect and preserve the industrial built heritage of the Ulster Canal. It is also important to interpret and present the story of this linking inland 120 Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 – 2031 HERITAGE, CONSERVATION, BIODIVERSITY AND LANDSCAPE STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE HCLSO 1 To promote and encourage the conservation and preservation of the County’s natural environment, cultural heritage and amenities in accordance with legislation, plans and policies developed to specifically address these areas and to ensure a rich cultural landscape, healthy environment and the full provision of ecosystems services in the County.

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   121 Environment, Energy and Climate ActionEnvironment, Energy and Climate Actionintroductionchapter 01 waterway to the local community and the wider population. The development of greenways along the Ulster Canal will bring a better appreciation to the canal’s significance in the inland waterway network and of its heritage and will enable the stories of the canals to be told in the community. The Monaghan Biodiversity and Heritage Strategic Plan 2020-2025 combines the areas of heritage and biodiversity into a strategic plan for County Monaghan. It contains thirteen priority themes for the County. These are aspects of heritage and biodiversity that are especially resonant or important for County Monaghan. An action plan is an integral part of the Strategic Plan that will be undertaken over the next five years to enable positive outcomes for our biodiversity and heritage. 6.2 PROTECTION OF BIODIVERSITY INCLUDING NATURA 2000 NETWORK This Development Plan sets out to contribute towards the protection of designated ecological sites including Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs), Salmonid Waters, Shellfish Areas, Freshwater Pearl Mussel catchments, Flora Protection Order sites, Wildlife Sites (including Nature Reserves), certain entries to the Water Framework Directive Register of Protected Areas, Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs), proposed Natural Heritage Areas (pNHAs), and Wildfowl Sanctuaries (refer to Wildlife Order S.I. 192 of 1979). Furthermore, it sets out to contribute towards compliance with relevant EU Environmental Directives and applicable national legislation, policies, plans and guidelines, including the following and any new or updated/subsequent versions: k EU Directives, including the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC, as amended)1, the Birds Directive (2009/147/EC)2, the Environmental Liability Directive (2004/35/EC)3, the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive (2011/92/EU, as amended by 2014/52/EC), the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) and the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive (2001/42/EC). k National legislation, including the Wildlife Act 19764, the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) and associated Regulations, Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000, the European Union (Water Policy) Regulations 2003 (as amended), the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (SI No. 477 of 2011) and the European Communities (Environmental Liability) Regulations 20085. k National policy guidelines including the Landscape Assessment Draft Guidelines 2000, the Environmental Impact Assessment Sub- Threshold Development Guidelines 2003, Strategic Environmental Assessment Guidelines 2004 and the Appropriate Assessment Guidance 2010. k Catchment and water resource management Plans, including the relevant River Basin Management Plan and Flood Risk Management Plan. k Biodiversity Plans and guidelines, including the 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan 2023 – 2030. k All-Ireland Pollinator Plan 2021 - 2025. k Freshwater Pearl Mussel Regulations (S.I. 296 of 2009) (including any associated designated areas or management plans). k Ireland’s Environment - An Integrated Assessment (EPA, 2020) and to make provision where appropriate to address the report’s goals and challenges. heritage, conservation and landscapechapter 06 1 Including Annex I habitats, Annex II species and their habitats and Annex IV species and their breeding sites and resting places (wherever they occur). 2 Including Annex I species and other regularly occurring migratory species, and their habitats (wherever they occur). 3 Including protected species and natural habitats. 4 Including species of flora and fauna and their key habitats. 5 Including protected species and natural habitats.

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   122 Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 – 2031 HERITAGE CONSERVATION AND LANDSCAPE OBJECTIVES HCLP 1 No projects giving rise to significant cumulative, direct, indirect or secondary impacts on Natura 2000 sites arising from their size or scale, land take, proximity, resource requirements, emissions (disposal to land, water or air), transportation requirements, duration of construction, operation, decommissioning or from any other effects shall be permitted on the basis of this plan (either individually or in combination with other plans or projects6). HERITAGE CONSERVATION AND LANDSCAPE POLICY 6 Except as provided for in Section 6(4) of the Habitats Directive, viz. There must be: a) no alternative solution available, b) imperative reasons of overriding public interest for the project to proceed; and c) Adequate compensatory measures in place. 6.3 LANDSCAPE Article 1 (a) of the European Landscape Convention provides a definition of landscape as follows: “Landscape means an area, as perceived by people, whose character is the result of the action and interaction of natural and/or human factors”. County Monaghan’s unique drumlin landscape is encapsulated in its Irish name Muineacháin which means “little hills or shrubbery”. The landscape is varied to include the uplands of Sliabh Beagh to the north of the County and Mullyash to the east. In the central part of the County, a series of low-lying lakes and wetlands extend from west to east. To the north and south of this belt of lakes, the landscape character consists of high drumlin farmland. The landscape in County Monaghan is different to the more open landscapes encountered elsewhere in the Country due to the deposition of drumlins at the end of the last glaciations. The landscape vegetation has evolved over centuries due to changes in agricultural practices, settlement patterns and infrastructural development. The Monaghan County Development Plan 2025-2031 has an essential role in ensuring the protection and enhancement of the landscape whilst facilitating economic development. HCLO 1 To implement in partnership with all relevant stakeholders the objectives and actions detailed within the Monaghan Biodiversity and Heritage Strategic Plan 2020 – 2025 and any new or updated/subsequent versions. HCLO 2 To contribute as appropriate towards the protection of designated sites in compliance with relevant EU Directives and applicable National Legislation. HCLO 3 To recognise that nature conservation is not just confined to designated sites and acknowledge the need to protect non-designated habitats and landscapes, and to conserve their biological diversity and provide ecosystem services. HCLO 4 To support the implementation of any relevant recommendations contained in the National Biodiversity Action Plan 2020 - 2030, Heritage Ireland 2030, the All – Ireland Pollination Plan 2021 - 2025 and the National Peatlands Strategy and any new or updated/subsequent versions.

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   123 heritage, conservation and landscapechapter 06 6.4 LANDSCAPE CHARACTER ASSESSMENT The European Landscape Convention was ratified in Ireland in 2004 and required EU member states to adopt national measures to promote landscape, planning, protection and management. In recognition of this, Monaghan County Council commissioned the preparation of a Landscape Character Assessment of the County in 2008. This study was carried out in accordance with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government Guidelines. The purpose of Landscape Character Assessment is to provide the foundation for policy formation and decision making for landscape management. The Landscape Character Assessment identified nine landscape character areas in County Monaghan which represent geographical areas with a particular landscape type or types. The Landscape Character Assessment identified the main forces for landscape change in the present age as, changing agricultural practices, forestry, rural housing, infrastructural developments, power lines, telecommunications masts, wind farms, quarrying and tourism/recreation. LANDSCAPE CHARACTER ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVE LCO 1 To review and update the Landscape Character Assessment in tandem with the preparation of the Renewable Energy Strategy for County Monaghan. FIGURE 6.1 LANDSCAPE CHARACTER TYPES Source: Landscape Character Assessment (Monaghan County Council)

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   6.4.1 KAVANAGH COUNTRY The work of Patrick Kavanagh frequently references the distinctive landscape features of his homeland. Kavanagh County: A Literary Landscape Character Assessment and Management Plan was prepared in 2012 and includes a site inventory which represents the sites referred to in his work and ones that present the most intact physical evidence of the places that appear in the literature. The aim of the plan is to guide development and protect access to Kavanagh Country. It is considered that, where appropriate, regard to any relevant recommendations contained within the plan should be had when assessing proposals for development located within Kavanagh Country. 6.5 NATIONAL LANDSCAPE STRATEGY FOR IRELAND 2015-2025 The National Landscape Strategy provides a strategic policy framework for ensuring compliance with the European Landscape Convention and establishes principles for protecting, enhancing and managing the landscape in the context of change. To achieve this a range of objectives and actions are set out in the strategy. The National Landscape Strategy for Ireland 2015-2025 will be implemented and co-ordinated by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (DAHG) in partnership with all key stakeholders. One of the actions identified is the preparation of a new National Landscape Character Assessment. It is envisaged that this will inform the publication of Guidelines on Local Landscape Character Assessment. It is likely following the publication of these guidelines that the existing Landscape Character Assessment for County Monaghan will require review to take account of the recommendations contained in these guidelines. 124 Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 – 2031 HERITAGE, CONSERVATION AND LANDSCAPE OBJECTIVE HCLO 5 To promote the development of Kavanagh Country as a cultural destination. HERITAGE, CONSERVATION AND LANDSCAPE OBJECTIVES HCLO 6 To ensure the preservation of the County’s landscapes, by having regard to the character, value and sensitivity of the landscape as identified in the County Monaghan Landscape Character Assessment (2008), and any new or updated/subsequent versions, when assessing development proposals. HCLO 9 To support, as appropriate, any relevant recommendations contained in the National Landscape Strategy for Ireland 2015-2025 and any new or updated /subsequent versions. HCLO 8 To contribute towards the protection of County and local level landscape designations from incompatible developments. HCLO 7 To co-operate with adjoining local authorities north and south of the Border, to ensure that the natural environment is maintained in a sustainable manner, to encourage a collaborative and consistent policy approach with adjoining areas on matters of environmental and landscape protection, and to identify threats to the integrity of such sites through a transboundary approach.

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   125 Environment, Energy and Climate ActionEnvironment, Energy and Climate Actionintroductionchapter 01 HCLP 2 To protect the landscapes and natural environments of the County by ensuring that any new developments in designated sensitive rural landscapes do not detrimentally impact on the character, integrity, distinctiveness or scenic value of the area. Any development which could unduly impact upon such landscapes shall be resisted. HCLP 3 Proposals for development that have the potential to significantly adversely impact upon these designations shall be accompanied by an assessment of the potential landscape and visual impacts of the proposed development. This shall demonstrate that landscape impacts have been anticipated and avoided to a level consistent with the sensitivity of the landscape and the nature of the designation. HERITAGE CONSERVATION AND LANDSCAPE POLICIES 6.6 HABITAT DESIGNATION AND PROTECTION 6.6.1 EUROPEAN SITES There are a range of European and National designations which exist to protect our most important and ecologically valuable habitats. At the European level these include Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs). SACs are prime wildlife conservation areas which require designation and protection for habitats in accordance with the EU Habitats Directive 1992. SPAs refer to the designation and protection of endangered species of wild birds in accordance with the EU Birds Directive 1979. Legislation requires that appropriate steps are taken to avoid the deterioration of these unique habitats. Designation Location Qualifying Interest Type Special Area of Kilroosky Lough Cluster, White Clawed Crayfish Conservation Clones (SAC) (Kilroosky Lough, Dummy’s Lough, Burdautian Lough, Summerhill Lough, Ramages Lough) Special Protection Sliabh Beagh Hen Harrier Area (SPA) (Bragan Mountain) Natural Heritage Eshbrack Bog NHA Area (NHA) Eshbrack is an extensive upland site of high conservation value located about 8 km north-west of Scotstown, County Monaghan. The intact blanket bog areas feature hummock/hollow complexes and flushed slopes. The wide range of associated habitats, which include upland grassland on peaty soil, heath, reed swamp, freshwater marsh, scrub and wet broadleaved woodland, add considerably to the conservation value of the site. Although large parts of the site have been affected by hand cutting and mechanical peat extraction, much of the cutover areas are now regenerating with peat forming communities. The occurrence of Cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccus), an uncommon species of blanket bog and of restricted distribution in the county, is also of note. Fen communities occur infrequently, and are confined to lake edges, wet flushed basins and valley slopes. heritage, conservation and landscapechapter 06 TABLE 6.1 EUROPEAN DESIGNATED SITES (SACS AND SPAS)

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   Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 – 2031 6.6.2 NATIONAL DESIGNATED SITES At national level designated sites are called Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs) and proposed Natural Heritage Areas (pNHAs). To date there is one designated NHA in County Monaghan, Eshbrack Bog on Sliabh Beagh, which is an important area of blanket bog. This area also has SPA status as it is a breeding area for the Hen Harrier, a protected species under the EU Birds Directive. Sliabh Beagh and the associated bog habitat is an overwintering area for Greenland White Fronted Geese. There are other important species which inhabit the bog including the critically endangered Curlew, Snipe and Golden Plover. The conservation of this natural habitat for a range of flora and fauna is vitally important. Two important conservation initiatives are happening on Sliabh Beagh. It is part of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Curlew Conservation Programme, which involves locally based teams of advisors, champions and nest protection officers, working closely with landowners and other local interests, to protect Curlew nesting attempts and to improve habitat quality. In addition, Monaghan County Council was a partner in an INTERREG V project called Collaborative Action for Natura Network (CANN), which worked to conserve the blanket bog on Sliabh Beagh, the Hen Harrier, and Kilroosky Lough Cluster. It is important to note that normal exempt development provisions do not apply in Natural Heritage Areas. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has proposed 38 additional Natural Heritage Areas (pNHAs) in County Monaghan. The process of designation of NHAs is ongoing, with new sites being added or existing sites being upgraded as more information becomes available. A full list of pNHAs in County Monaghan is set out in Table 6.3 below. These sites are protected under the Monaghan County Development Plan 2025-2031. Designation Type Location feature Interest Eshbrack Bog NHA Sliabh Beagh/Bragan Mountain Blanket Bog TABLE 6.2 NATIONAL DESIGNATED SITES - NATURAL HERITAGE AREAS (NHAS) site code site name description 000001 DROMORE LAKES A group of ten main inter-drumlin lakes plus several smaller areas of water stretching along the River Dromore between Cootehill and Ballybay. Nice areas of wet woodland and reed swamp. Important wintering wildfowl population, including Whooper Swans, Great Crested Grebe and Lapwings. 000558 EMY LOUGH This mesotrophic lake lies in an inter-drumlin hollow in the Blackwater catchment area, only 1km east of Emyvale. The lough is one of the largest lakes in the area with surrounding sections of Alder and Willow species. It is an important overwintering site for birds. 000559 GLASLOUGH LAKE The main value of the site lies in the lake and adjacent wetland habitats. It is reportedly rich in Calcium with Stoneworts (Chara spp.) and White Water-lily (Nymphaea alba) which is likely to have been introduced. Most of the shore is fringed by a narrow zone of Common Reed (Phragmites australis) mainly backed by the mixed estate woodland. Botanically the most interesting section seems to be the southern end of Glaslough Lake which now forms a separate basin entirely within woodland. Here wooded islands also provide a Heronry site. 000560 LOUGH FEA Small fields of calcareous grassland which are extremely rich DEMESNE in varieties and numbers of orchids. Bordering the grassland is a large mixed woodland yielding several interesting species. A number of interesting Turloughs are also found within the demesne. TABLE 6.3 NATIONAL DESIGNATED SITES - PROPOSED NATIONAL HERITAGE AREAS (pNHAS). 126

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   heritage, conservation and landscapechapter 06 site code site name description 000561 LOUGH NAGLACK This is a calcareous lough and together with adjoining limestone grassland, calcareous marsh and mixed woodland this area supports a very rich flora. 000562 MONMURRAY Over wintering site for Greenland White Fronted Geese. GRASSLAND 000563 MUCKNO LAKE Largest lake in County Monaghan and water supply for Dundalk. Some nice areas of wet woodland and good site for waterfowl. 001268 CORDOO LOUGH Calcium rich lake surrounded by reed swamp and wet grassland with some interesting species including shining pondweed. 001495 LOUGH ROSS Lough Ross is a large, slightly alkaline lake, 90ha in size, situated on the border between County Monaghan and County Armagh, only 13ha lies in County Monaghan. Most of the lake circumference is colonised by species-poor reedswamp vegetation. There are also areas of stony lake edge with abundant water plantain (Littorella uniflora). The lake also supports a very large number of Pondweed (Potamogeton) species. An extensive floating marsh lies to the east of the Clarebane River and around the shores are various transitions from aquatic vegetation to meadowland, providing very good examples of successional development. 001594 BALLYHOE LOUGH Ballyhoe Lough is located on the Monaghan/Meath border and is a fairly acid, peaty lough. The lough is now divided into two by a narrow strip of land covered by Willow trees, Common Reed and Alders. Around the edge is a fringe of Common Reed (Phragmites communis) with some Clubrush (Scirpus lacustris) and White Water-lily (Nymphaea alba). The islands in the lough are covered with trees and shrubs and like the lakeshore fringed by Common Reed (Phragmites australis). They are believed to be crannogs. 001595 LOUGHBAWN HOUSE Complex of inter-drumlin lakes immediately surrounded by LOUGHS dense woodland. A sheltered bay at the north-eastern part of the northern lake has developed a 10-20 metre fringe of reed swamp dominated by Common Reed (Phragmites australis). Floating macrophytes with Yellow Water-lily (Nuphar lutea) are frequent around the lake edge. 001596 BLACK AND There are two large lakes within this pNHA. There is an area of DERRYGOONY open transition mire to the north of Derygoony Lough. The LOUGHS floating scragh has typical transition mire communities although Lesser Tussock Sedge (Carex diandra) is notably absent. The transition mire grades into a dense Reed Canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea) reed swamp which borders the lake. 001599 CREEVY LOUGH The shoreline is very open and is not fringed with reed as are many of the other lakes in this area. Common Spike-rush (Eleocharis palustris) and the sedges Carex vesicaria and Carex rostrata grow in clumps around the perimeter. The floor of the lough is colonised by Shore-weed (Littorella uniflora) and two rare aquatic plant species were found in shallow water - Waterwort (Elatine hexandra) and Hornwort (Certophyllum demersum). 127

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    site code site name description 001600 DRUMAKILL Drumakill lake is a small lake, located 5 km east of LOUGH Castleblayney and approximately 1 km east of Lough Muckno. The open waters of the lake form the main habitat in the site. Wet grassland is the main habitat around the preiphery of the lake. Freshwater marsh vegetation merges with wet grassland vegetation in places. 001601 DRUMGOLE One of the most striking features of the lake is the presence LOUGH of large areas of reedswamp dominated by Common Reed (Phragmites communis). In addition to reedswamp there are small areas of wet grassland dominated by Soft Rush (Juncus effusus) and Creeping Buttercup (Ranunculus repens). Although birdlife on the lake is limited, Whooper Swans frequent the site during the winter months. 001602 DRUMREASKE The calcareous nature of the lough is evident from the LOUGH presence of Stoneworts (Chara spp) which form a narrow shelf all around the lough edge. The calcicole Great Fensedge (Cladium mariscus) is also present amongst the reedbeds that surround most of the lough. On the lake margins are pockets of wet, marshy ground. 001604 GIBSON'S LOUGH This lake is gradually being invaded by vegetation and surrounded by floating marshes. Around the shoreline grow Bottle sedge (Crex rostrata) with Bulrush (Typha latifolia) and the umbellifer, Cowbane (Cicuta virosa). Behind is a community dominated by Cotton Grass (Eriophorum angustifolium) with Water Horsetail (Equisetum fluviatile) and the sedges Carex curta and C. rostrata. Further back is a wet grassland with hummocks of Sphagnum moss and the grass Yorkshire fog (Holcus lanatus). 001605 LOUGH EGISH The lake is primarily an area of ornithological scientific interest, and it is a good over-wintering site for Whooper and Bewick's Swans and Goldeneye. Breeding birds recorded here include Black-headed Gull, Common Sandpiper, Lapwing, Coot, Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Tufted Duck and Pochard. 001606 RAFINNY LOUGH Rafinny Lough is a small oligotrophic lough, situated at an altitude of c. 175m about 9km south-west of Monaghan Town. It is unusually species rich for an upland lake and the flora exhibits a strong northern element. The floating mat vegetation is very well developed and provides an excellent example of a successional sequence typical in small water bodies. 001607 LOUGH SMILEY Lough Smiley is a reed fringed lake with an extensive wetland area that includes lakes, reed swamp, freshwater marsh, transition mire, remnant raised bog, cutover bog and wet scrub woodland lying in a basin between drumlins. The area to the north of the lake is dominated by cutover bog vegetation, with low lying wet hollows generally filled with quaking transition mire communities. 001608 MONALTY LOUGH A lot of the lake shore is fringed by a belt of Reeds (Phragmites australis) which is in turn backed by a narrow strip of wet woodland or scrub, often dominated by Willow species (Salix spp.). A tongue of Reeds and Willow dominated woodland has spread from the north to the south shore between two basins dividing the lake into two. Any low-lying wet grassland adjacent to the lakeshore is dominated by Creeping bent (Agrostis stolonifera) with rushes and wetland herb species. Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 – 2031 128

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