Banbridge / Newry and Mourne Area Plan 2015
Strategic Plan Framework: Nature Conservation

Biodiversity is the total variety of all living things - of wildlife habitats, wild plants and animals. At the larger scale, biodiversity relates to the variation in landscapes and habitats and at the smallest scale to genetic differences in plants and animals. Biodiversity is vital to the health of the planet and to quality of life. The enhancement of biodiversity will be one of the most powerful indicators of progress towards sustainability.

It is important to recognise the biodiversity significance of Northern Ireland's habitats in the British Isles and beyond. As one of the most westerly outliers of Europe, many of our communities of plants and animals represent extreme oceanic (mild and wet) examples.

The Northern Ireland Biodiversity Group, which undertook a study of the state of wildlife and habitats in Northern Ireland, published a set of 76 recommendations for protection and enhancement of biodiversity, including habitats and species identified for priority action. The Northern Ireland Executive committed itself to delivering action on these recommendations and published the Northern Ireland Biodiversity Strategy in August 2002 to protect and enhance biodiversity in Northern Ireland over the period to 2016.

The Biodiversity Strategy identifies 40 habitat types as priorities for conservation action in Northern Ireland. Banbridge / Newry and Mourne Area Plan has examples of 31 priority habitats such as Upland Heath, Fen and Bog, River Valley Woodlands, Loughs and Rivers, Coastal and Marine Habitats and Parkland. The varied landscape of the Plan Area also contains a number of priority species such as Harbour Porpoise, Red Squirrel, Bats, Otters, Irish Hares and Barn Owls.

Further information on these habitats and species is contained in the Countryside Assessment Supplement.

The range of priority habitats and species listed through the Northern Ireland Biodiversity Strategy will be protected from development and proposals that could harm their integrity, continuity, links or ecological relationships. In exceptional circumstances where development is considered to be appropriate, conditions will be imposed to guide developers on the necessary measures for management and enhancement of the site.

A Planning Agreement may be required with the developer in order to reduce, offset or compensate for any of the effects of the development by the provision of new or enhanced habitats or features or their improved management.

The most common form of conserving biodiversity is designation, protection and management of the best sites of nature conservation importance. While areas of international and national nature conservation importance are already protected from development through other statutory designations, conservation of biodiversity is enhanced in the Plan through the designation of Sites of Local Nature Conservation Importance (SLNCIs) and the protection of priority habitats identified by the Northern Ireland Biodiversity Strategy. Management of these sites may be achieved through regulation of activities, negotiation with landowners or through public ownership.

A hierarchy of designations is available under European and local legislation and designation is primarily the responsibility of EHS. Generally sites are selected for their rarity value or for the diversity of species and habitats they contain, or as a representative example of their habitat type on a local, national or international scale.

Sites of international importance comprise sites listed under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, and European Sites (SPAs and SACs) designated under the Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc.) Regulations (NI) 1995.

Sites important in a national context include ASSIs and Nature Reserves designated under the Environment (NI) Order 2002. Additional designations include Wildlife Refuges established under the Wildlife (NI) Order 1995 and Local Nature Reserves that may be established by local councils under the Nature Conservation and Amenity Lands (NI) Order 1985.

There are various non-statutory sites, with nature conservation value, cared for by public agencies or voluntary conservation bodies. DARD Forest Service has designated Forest Nature Reserves at Hawthorn Hill and Rostrevor Oakwood. The Woodland Trust manage 4 woodlands within the Plan Area at Ballymaganlis (Dromore), Canal Wood (Poyntzpass), Carnbane and Daisy Hill (Newry).

In accordance with PPS 2 - Planning and Nature Conservation, SLCNIs are designated in Volumes 2 and 3 of the Plan.

The Plan designates, on the basis of their flora, fauna or earth science interest, 183 SLNCIs, of which 45 are in Banbridge District and 138 in Newry and Mourne District. SLNCIs may include non-statutory nature reserves managed by public agencies or voluntary conservation bodies. The Countryside Assessment Supplement contains details of each SLNCI.

In assessing development proposals on or adjacent to these sites, priority will be given to the protection of their intrinsic nature conservation interest.

Where exceptionally a development is permitted which might adversely affect the nature conservation interests, the Department will endeavour to ensure that such effects are kept to a minimum. Consideration will be given to the use of conditions in order to protect, manage and enhance the conservation interest or to require appropriate mitigation measures. Where appropriate, developers will be asked to enter into a planning agreement to secure these outcomes.