boyle local area plan 2012 - 2018 - Roscommon County Council

PART II: DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FOR 2012 – 2018 & BEYOND Chapter 6: Built & Natural Heritage
6.2.1 Designated Sites
A wide range of different sites have been (or will be) designated under National &
EU legislation and under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. There are 25 species
and 60 habitats in Ireland, which are recognised by the EU as being in need of
special protection, which has lead to a comprehensive network of protected areas
being established in Ireland in recent years.
This network is made up of sites of European importance (Special Areas of
Conservation and Special Protection Areas) known collectively as Natura 2000 Sites,
and sites of national importance known as Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs). Many of
these habitats and species are found in Roscommon and some, such as Turloughs and
Active Raised Bogs, are priority habitats because of their importance and rarity.
Special Areas of Conservation (SACs)
These are the prime wildlife conservation areas in the country, considered to be
important on a European as well as Irish level. The EU Habitats Directive
(92/43/EEC) lists certain habitats and species that must be protected. Ireland
introduced the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1997-2005 to
give effect to SACs under Irish Law. Any development in, near or adversely
affecting an SAC should avoid any significant adverse impact on the features for
which the site has been designated or proposed for designation. There are currently
27 SACs in Co. Roscommon, indicated on Map 24 of the current Roscommon CDP.
Special Protection Areas (SPAs)
These sites are areas of importance for birds (and are often also important for other
types of wildlife). The EU Birds Directive (79/409/EEC) requires designation of
SPA’s for listed rare and vulnerable species, regularly occurring migratory species
and wetlands, especially those of international importance, which attract large
numbers of migratory birds each year.
There are no cSACs or SPAs in, adjoining or in the vicinity of the Boyle LAP Area.
Table 7 lists all of the Natura 2000 Sites within a 15km radius of the Boyle LAP
Boundary. Map 7 illustrates the location of these designated sites in relation to
Boyle. Site synopses and maps may be accessed on the National Parks and Wildlife
Service’s website at: http://www.npws.ie/ConservationSites/
Table 6: Natura 2000 Sites
No. Site Status Site Code Distance from
LAP Boundary
(approx.)
1. Lough Arrow
Lough Arrow
cSAC 001673
004050
5.7km
5.7km
2. Lough Gara SPA 004048 5.9km
3. Bricklieve Mountains cSAC 001656 6km
& Keishcorran
4. Cloonshanville Bog cSAC 000614 9.6km
5. Callow Bog cSAC 000595 12km
6. Tullaghanrock Bog cSAC 002354 14.6km
7. Bellanagare Bog cSAC 000592 14.13km
Bellanagare Bog SPA 004105 14.13km
Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs)
The Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000 substantially strengthened the protection for
wildlife previously available under the Wildlife Act 1976. In particular, the Wildlife
(Amendment) Act 2000 provides for the designation and conservation of Natural
Heritage Areas (NHAs). NHAs are sites that support elements of our natural heritage
which are unique, or of outstanding importance at the national level. Any
development in, near or adversely affecting a Natural Heritage Area should avoid
any significant adverse impact on the features for which the site has been designated.
There are currently 40 Natural Heritage Areas in County Roscommon and those with
proximity to Boyle are detailed below. (See Map 7)
Photos 41 - 45 (Sources: www.photosofireland.ie, www.noticenature.ie, www.dublin.ie,
www.wildflowers.ie)
Boyle Local Area Plan 2012-2018 Page 84