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