Kildare County Council Castledermot Playground Appropriate Assessment Screening Report 28Th July 2018

KILDARE COUNTY COUNCIL

CASTLEDERMOT PLAYGROUND

APPROPRIATE ASSESSMENT SCREENING REPORT

28TH JULY 2018

Church Street, Moate, Co. Westmeath T +353 86 1736075 [email protected]

Castledermot Playground AA Screening Blackthorn Ecology

TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Introduction 1 1.1 Background 1 1.2 Statutory Context 1 1.3 About the Author 1 2 Methods 2 3 Description of Project 3 3.1 Proposed Project 3 3.2 Development Site 3 4 Description of Natura 2000 Sites 8 4.1 Zone of Influence 8 4.2 Natura 2000 Sites 8 5 Stage 1 – Screening 13 5.1 Potential Impact Sources 13 5.2 Impact Significance 13 5.3 Conclusions 14 6 References 15 APPENDIX A Site Layout 16

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1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background Kildare County Council has appointed Blackthorn Ecology to prepare an Appropriate Assessment screening report in support of a Part 8 application for a proposed playground at the Fair Green, Castledermot, Co. Kildare.

1.2 Statutory Context In accordance with Article 6(3) of the EU Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC), the potential impacts of any project on the conservation objectives of a Natura 2000 site of European conservation importance, including Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas for birds (SPAs), are to be assessed by means of an Appropriate Assessment (AA). The Habitats Directive is implemented in Irish law by the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (SI No. 477 of 2011), which supersede the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1997 and amendments. In the context of development planning, AA is carried out under the provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. The purpose of AA is to assess the impacts of projects in combination with the effects of other plans and projects against the conservation objectives of a Natura 2000 site and to ascertain whether they would adversely affect the integrity of that site.

1.3 About the Author This AA screening report has been prepared by Dr George F Smith CEcol MCIEEM of Blackthorn Ecology. Dr Smith has extensive experience in preparing NISs, AA screening reports and Ecological Impact Assessments for a wide range of developments. He is a Chartered Ecologist and a full member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management, the chief professional society in Ireland for ecological professionals. As such, he is bound by their Code of Professional Conduct.

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2 METHODS This Natura Impact Statement has been prepared in accordance with:  the Planning and Development Act 2000 as amended  the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 to 2015  the provisions of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011  the European Commission’s Methodological Guidance (European Commission, 2002)  DEHLG’s Appropriate Assessment of Plans and Projects in Ireland (2009)  other relevant international and national guidance. Information on the proposed development was provided by the client. Locations and boundaries of Natura 2000 sites were identified using current (May 2018) boundary shapefiles (SAC_ITM_2018_04.shp, SPA_ITM_2017_06.shp) downloaded from the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) website. Information on conservation objectives, conditions and threats of the Natura 2000 sites was obtained from conservation objectives documents, site synopses and standard Natura 2000 data forms. A field survey was carried out on 7/6/2018 to assess the existing environment of the site and evaluate connectivity with Natura 2000 sites. Habitats were classified according to Fossitt (2000) and Habitats Directive Annex I types (European Commission, 2013), where appropriate. Maps were prepared using QGIS version 2.18 (QGIS Development Team, 2018). The AA process begins with Stage 1 - Screening to determine if a plan or project is likely to have an impact on a Natura 2000 site. If impacts are likely or uncertain, Stage 2 – Appropriate Assessment is required.

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3 DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT

3.1 Proposed Project The proposed project is the construction of a playground with associated amenity infrastructure, including footpaths, benches and small paved areas, at the Fair Green, Castledermot, Co. Kildare. Landscape planting will also be carried out. At present, drainage is enhanced by a subsoil pipe system with an outfall to the River Lerr. This will not be altered but will be added to. A new subsurface drainage system will be installed in the playground area, which will link into the existing system. The objective for the new drainage will be to prevent the playground from becoming very muddy. Runoff from hard surfaces will be allowed to percolate into the soil. No works are proposed in the northern, wooded part of the Fair Green, which is within the River Barrow and River Nore SAC.

3.2 Development Site Habitats were classified according to Fossitt (2000) and Habitats Directive Annex I types (European Commission, 2013), where appropriate. A habitat map is presented in Figure 1.

3.2.1 Fair Green The majority of the Fair Green, the site of the proposed new playground, is a regularly mown, rather damp improved amenity grassland (GA2). The most abundant grasses in the sward were red fescue (Festuca rubra), creeping bent (Agrostis stolonifera), Yorkshire

fog (Holcus lanatus), rough meadowgrass (Poa trivialis) and Fair Green at Castledermot perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne). Broadleaved forbs were frequent, and included creeping buttercup (Ranunculus repens), ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata), common knapweed (Centaurea nigra), selfheal (Prunella vulgaris), dandelion (Taraxacum officinale agg.) and daisy (Bellis perennis). Indicators of wetter conditions were occasional or rare, including hairy sedge (Carex hirta), silverweed (Potentilla anserina) and the lawn moss Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus. Treelines (WL2) of mature lime (Tilia x europaea) border the east and west sides of the Fair Green.

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Two tarmac footpaths cross the Fair Green. To the north of the more northerly path, the sward was unmown and tall, and is mapped in Figure 1 as dry meadows and grassy verges (GS2). It was a damper variant of the habitat, transitional to wet grassland (GS4). The sward comprised tall, mainly coarse grasses, including cock’s-foot (Dactylis Meadow grassland edge alongside footpath glomerata), false oat-grass (Arrhenatherum elatius) and meadow foxtail (Alopecurus pratensis). Also frequent were Yorkshire fog, red fescue, rough meadowgrass and sweet vernal grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum). The most common forbs were common knapweed, meadow buttercup (Ranunculus acris) and lesser stitchwort (Stellaria graminea). Also present were competitive meadow species, including ribwort plantain, sorrel (Rumex acetosa), clustered dock (R. conglomeratus) and red clover (Trifolium pratense), and species more indicative of damp conditions, such as hairy sedge, brown sedge (Carex disticha), false fox sedge (Carex otrubae), great willowherb (Carex hirta), creeping buttercup and silverweed. Some forbs may have originated from a wildflower seed mix spread in the area Meadow grassland sward in 2012. Within the meadow grassland area, several trees and shrubs had been planted, including Hungarian oak (Quercus frainetto), crack willow (Salix fragilis) and red-osier dogwood (Cornus sericea). The latter is a problematic species that is known to spread and dominate large areas in wet habitats, especially wet woodlands.

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To the north of the meadow grassland is an area of planted mixed broadleaved woodland (WD1). This area along with the meadow grassland are also known as the Lon Dubh Nature Reserve. This area is situated within the River Barrow and River Nore SAC (see Section 4.2). The canopy is dominated by mature downy birch (Betula pubescens) and the lines of lime trees bordering the roadsides. Several ornamental saplings have been planted in the woodland, including apple (Malus spp.), willows (Salix spp.), hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) and rowan / service tree (Sorbus spp.). Due to the light shade, the field layer is grassy and unmanaged, similar to the adjacent meadow. Cock’s-foot and rough meadowgrass were the most abundant grasses, accompanied by Yorkshire fog, red fescue, false oat- grass and sweet vernal grass. Broadleaved species were frequent, particularly cow parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris), bush vetch (Vicia sepium), dandelion and red campion Broadleaved woodland at the northern end of the Fair Green (Silene dioica); the latter almost certainly originates from the wildflower seed mix applied in 2012. Other likely introductions still present include salad burnet (Sanguisorba minor), oxeye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), marjoram (Origanum vulgare) and quaking grass (Briza media). Additional species of natural or introduced origin included hedge woundwort (Stachys sylvatica), meadow buttercup, robin-run-the-hedge (Galium aparine), common knapweed and great willowherb. 3.2.2 River Lerr The River Lerr is a tributary of the River Barrow, which it joins approximately 9.8 km downstream. It is classifiable as a depositing / lowland river (FW2). It is designated as part of the River Barrow and River Nore SAC (see Section 4.2). The river in the vicinity of the Fair Green has been canalised in the past. The channel is approximately 2 m wide at water level, and the steep to vertical banks were 2.5 m high. The river itself averaged 30 cm deep after a prolonged period of dry weather. It consisted of riffle (50%) and glide (50%) habitat over a substrate of gravel (50%), sand/silt (40%) and cobble (10%). Walking through the stream produced plumes of silt. The steep roadside bank was occupied by a damp variant of dry meadows and grassy verges (GS2) with abundant false oat-grass and common reed (Phragmites australis) and frequent nettles (Urtica dioica), hedge bindweed (Calystegia sepium), common couch (Elytrigia repens) and cow parsley. The opposite bank was occupied by a small, shrubby line of crack willow.

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The River Lerr adjacent to the southern end of the Fair Green supported macrophyte vegetation referable to the Habitats Directive habitat ‘floating river vegetation (3260)’. Pond water-crowfoot (Ranunculus peltatus) formed extensive floating mats, accompanied by common duckweed (Lemna minor), fool’s watercress (Apium nodiflorum), watercress (Nasturtium officinale), great willowherb and filamentous green algae. Algae was also abundant on sunlit cobbles along with the aquatic moss Platyhypnidium riparioides. Juvenile salmonids were noted during the field survey. National Biodiversity Data Centre records show that white-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) and otter (Lutra lutra) are known from the river within 2 km downstream of the Fair Green. White-clawed crayfish is protected under Annex II of the Habitats Directive and otter is protected under

Annexes II and IV. River Lerr adjacent to the Fair Green According to EPA data, river water quality during the 2010-2015 Water Framework Directive reporting period was Poor. The abundance of filamentous green algae noted during the field survey suggests significant eutrophication.

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Castledermot Playground AA Screening Blackthorn Ecology

4 DESCRIPTION OF NATURA 2000 SITES

4.1 Zone of Influence Given the nature of the project, potential pathways for the proposed playground to affect Natura 2000 sites are limited to:  Direct habitat loss or damage  Loss of habitat resources critical for mobile species that are qualifying interests for Natura 2000 sites  Spread of invasive species within Natura 2000 sites  Negative impacts to surface or ground water quality of Natura 2000 sites within the same or downstream catchments The proposed playground will not have any significant resource requirements, emissions, noise or visual disturbance, or management or transport requirements; therefore, there can be no impacts on Natura 2000 sites arising from these pathways. When potential pathways for impacts were considered, the zone of influence of the project was concluded to be the site itself, immediate surrounds, downstream watercourses, groundwater dependent habitats or species in the same catchment, and the range of mobile species from nearby Natura 2000 sites.

4.2 Natura 2000 Sites There is one Natura 2000 site in the vicinity of the proposed playground at Castledermot: the River Barrow and River Nore SAC (Figure 1). It should be noted that the SAC boundaries shown in the maps should be taken as indicative only, as the SAC boundary was digitised to historical 1:10,560 base maps in a legacy map projection (Cassini) with well-known accuracy issues, especially near county boundaries. The wooded, northern part of the Fair Green, however, is within the River Barrow and River Nore SAC; this area is shown as woodland in the 1:10,560 map that formed the basis for the current SAC boundary.

River Barrow and River Nore SAC The River Barrow and River Nore SAC is a very large site that encompasses the freshwater stretches of the River Barrow and River Nore and several tributaries, including the Lerr River, as well as the river estuary and adjacent terrestrial habitats (National Parks and Wildlife Service, 2006). Many of these habitats are listed on Annex I of the Habitats Directive and are qualifying interests of the SAC (Table 1). None of these habitats is found in the vicinity of Castledermot, with the exception of ‘floating river vegetation (3260)’, which was recorded from the River Lerr along the stretch of river near the southern half of the Fair Green. A large number of rare and protected plant and animal species are found within the site. The most notable are the Habitats Directive Annex II species that are qualifying interests for the SAC (Table 1). The freshwater species found in the middle reaches of the SAC are white-clawed

8 Castledermot Playground AA Screening Blackthorn Ecology crayfish, sea, brook and river lamprey, Atlantic salmon, and otter. Of these, white-clawed crayfish and otter have been recorded in the River Lerr less than 2 km downstream of the proposed playground, according to NPWS and NBDC data. The River Lerr is an important salmon nursery river, according to Inland Fisheries Ireland. Juvenile brook or river lamprey (juveniles are difficult to distinguish) have been recorded from the River Lerr at Gotham Bridge, approximately 8.1 km downstream (King, 2006). The main channel of the River Barrow is not an extant freshwater pearl mussel catchment (Department of Arts, 2014). The overall conservation objectives of the River Barrow and River Nore SAC are to maintain or restore the favourable conservation condition of the Annex I habitat(s) and/or the Annex II species for which the SAC has been selected, which are listed in Table 1. Favourable conservation condition of each qualifying interest is defined by a suite of attributes and site- specific targets (National Parks and Wildlife Service, 2011). The national conservation status for each of these qualifying interests, according to the most recent monitoring assessment (National Parks and Wildlife Service, 2013a, National Parks and Wildlife Service, 2013b), is also shown. The conservation status of qualifying interests within the SAC may differ from national status.

Table 1. Qualifying interests and conservation objectives of the River Barrow and River Nore SAC

Conservation Qualifying Interest Conservation Objective Attributes Status

Distribution Population size: adults Population density Desmoulin’s whorl snail [1016] Inadequate Area of occupancy Habitat quality: vegetation Habitat quality: soil moisture levels (Status as a qualifying species for the SAC Freshwater pearl mussel [1029] Bad under review) Distribution Population structure: recruitment Negative indicator species White-clawed crayfish [1092] Inadequate Disease Water quality Habitat quality: heterogeneity Distribution Population structure: juveniles Sea lamprey [1095] Juvenile density in fine sediment Bad Extent and distribution of spawning habitat Availability of juvenile habitat Distribution Population structure: juveniles Brook lamprey [1096] Juvenile density in fine sediment Favourable Extent and distribution of spawning habitat Availability of juvenile habitat River lamprey [1099] Distribution Favourable

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Conservation Qualifying Interest Conservation Objective Attributes Status

Population structure: juveniles Juvenile density in fine sediment Extent and distribution of spawning habitat Availability of juvenile habitat Distribution Population structure: age classes Twaite shad [1103] Extent and distribution of spawning habitat Bad Water quality: oxygen levels Spawning habitat quality Distribution Adult spawning fish Salmon fry abundance Atlantic salmon [1106] Inadequate Out-migrating smolt abundance Number and distribution of redds Water quality Distribution Extent of terrestrial habitat Extent of marine habitat Otter [1355] Extent of freshwater (river) habitat Favourable Extent of freshwater (lake) habitat Couching sites and holts Fish biomass available Distribution Population size Population structure Killarney fern [1421] Habitat extent Favourable Hydrological conditions Light levels Invasive species Distribution Population structure Habitat extent Nore freshwater pearl mussel Water quality Bad [1990] Substratum quality Hydrological regime Host fish Habitat area Estuaries [1130] Community distribution Inadequate Community extent Habitat area Tidal mudflats [1140] Inadequate Community distribution Habitat area Habitat distribution Salicornia mudflats [1310] Physical structure Inadequate Vegetation structure Vegetation composition Habitat area Habitat distribution Atlantic salt meadows [1330] Physical structure Inadequate Vegetation structure Vegetation composition

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Conservation Qualifying Interest Conservation Objective Attributes Status

Habitat area Habitat distribution Mediterranean salt meadows Physical structure Inadequate [1410] Vegetation structure Vegetation composition Habitat distribution Habitat area Hydrological regime Substratum composition Floating river vegetation [3260] Inadequate Water chemistry Water quality Vegetation composition Floodplain connectivity Habitat distribution Habitat area Dry heaths [4030] Physical structure Bad Vegetation structure Vegetation composition Habitat distribution Habitat area Hydrophilous tall herb Hydrological regime Bad communities [6430] Vegetation structure Vegetation composition Habitat distribution Habitat area Petrifying springs [7220] Hydrological regime Inadequate Water quality Vegetation composition Habitat area Habitat distribution Old oak woodlands [91A0] Woodland size Bad Woodland structure Vegetation composition Habitat area Habitat distribution Woodland size Alluvial forests [91E0] Bad Woodland structure Hydrological regime Vegetation composition

The main threats, pressures and activities affecting the SAC are listed in Table 2 (National Parks and Wildlife Service, 2014). The most significant threats and pressures are related to water quality (fertilisation and discharges) and habitat loss and degradation (urbanised areas).

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Table 2. Threats, pressures and activities impacting the River Barrow and River Nore SAC

Activity Type Threats and Pressures Significance Fertilisation High Agriculture Grazing Moderate Restructuring agricultural land holding Moderate Biological resource use Leisure fishing Moderate Forestry Forestry Moderate Natural systems modifications Landfill, land reclamation and drying out Moderate Transportation & service corridors Port areas Moderate Discharges High Urbanisation, residential & commercial Industrial or commercial areas Moderate development Urbanised areas, human habitation High

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5 STAGE 1 – SCREENING

5.1 Potential Impact Sources As noted above, potential impacts on Natura 2000 sites from the proposed development could arise from the following sources:  Direct habitat loss or damage  Loss of habitat resources critical for mobile species that are qualifying interests for Natura 2000 sites  Spread of invasive species within Natura 2000 sites  Negative impacts to surface or ground water quality of Natura 2000 sites within the same or downstream catchments  In-combination effects with other plans and projects

5.2 Impact Significance 5.2.1 Direct Habitat Loss The northern end of the proposed playground site overlaps with the River Barrow and River Nore SAC (Figure 1). No work or landscaping is proposed for this part of the site. In addition, there are no Annex I habitats. Therefore, there will be no direct habitat loss of habitats that are qualifying interests of the SAC. 5.2.2 Loss of Habitat for Mobile Species All mobile species that are qualifying interests of the River Barrow and River Nore SAC are strictly aquatic species, with the exception of otter. Otter forage widely up watercourses and adjacent suitable habitat. The broadleaved woodland in the northern part of the site could provide habitat for otter foraging; however, no signs of otter were noted during the field survey. The River Lerr is fenced; that and the road between the playground site and the river would discourage otter use of the woodland. As no work or landscaping is proposed for this part of the site, there will be no direct habitat loss of habitat for otter. 5.2.3 Spread of invasive species Invasive species could pose a threat to the qualifying habitats and species of the River Barrow and River Nore SAC. The only potentially invasive species in or near the proposed development site is red-osier dogwood, which has been planted in the meadow grassland. It will be removed as part of the playground construction and landscaping. The landscaping will not include any invasive species listed on the Third Schedule of the Birds and Natural Habitats

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Regulations 2011 or any Invasive Species Ireland High Risk1, Medium Risk2 or Watch List3 species. Therefore, there will be no risk of invasive species spreading into the SAC. 5.2.4 Water Quality There are no watercourses or drainage ditches on the site. The Fair Green is sunken approximately 1 m below the road between it and the River Lerr. The road embankment acts as a berm and serves to isolate the site from the river and the downstream River Barrow and River Nore SAC. The existing drainage system will be retained. Water from hard surfaces in the new playground will be permitted to percolate into the soil. Therefore, there is no risk of sedimentation or water pollution during the construction or the operation of the playground. 5.2.5 In-Combination Impacts As there will be no potential impacts on Natura 2000 sites from the proposed development, impacts in combination with other plans or projects are not possible.

5.3 Conclusions It can be objectively concluded that there will be no direct, indirect or in-combination effects on the qualifying interests of Natura 2000 sites from the proposed playground at the Fair Green in Castledermot. Accordingly, there will be no significant impacts on the conservation objectives of any Natura 2000 site. Therefore, Appropriate Assessment of the potential impacts on the integrity of Natura 2000 sites is not required.

1 http://www.biodiversityireland.ie/wordpress/wp- content/uploads/Invasives_taggedlist_HighImpact_2013RA-1.pdf 2 http://www.biodiversityireland.ie/wordpress/wp- content/uploads/Invasives_taggedMediumImpact_2013RA-2.pdf 3 http://www.biodiversityireland.ie/wordpress/wp- content/uploads/Invasives_tagged_PotentialHighmpact_2013RA-1.pdf

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6 REFERENCES Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, (2014) Margaritifera Sensitive Areas. Version 06, July 2014. Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Dublin. Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (2009) Appropriate Assessment of Plans and Projects in Ireland: Guidance for Planning Authorities. DEHLG, Dublin. European Commission (2002) Assessment of Plans and Projects Significantly Affecting Natura 2000 Sites: Methodological Guidance on the Provisions of Article 6(3) and (4) of the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC. European Communities, Luxembourg. European Commission (2013) Interpretation Manual of European Union Habitats. DG Environment. Fossitt, J. A. (2000) A Guide to Habitats in Ireland. Heritage Council, Kilkenny. King, J. J. (2006) The Status and Distribution of Lamprey in the River Barrow SAC. NPWS, Dublin. National Parks and Wildlife Service (2006) Site Synopsis: River Barrow and River Nore (002162). NPWS, Dublin. National Parks and Wildlife Service (2011) Conservation Objectives: River Barrow and River Nore SAC 002162. Version 1.0. Department of Arts, Heritage & the Gaeltacht, Dublin. National Parks and Wildlife Service (2013a) The Status of EU Protected Habitats and Species in Ireland. Habitats Assessments Volume 2, Version 1.0. Unpublished Report. NPWS, Dublin. National Parks and Wildlife Service (2013b) The Status of EU Protected Habitats and Species in Ireland. Species Assessments Volume 3, Version 1.0. Unpublished Report. NPWS, Dublin. National Parks and Wildlife Service (2014) Natura 2000 - Standard Data Form. IE0002162. River Barrow and River Nore SAC. NPWS, Dublin. QGIS Development Team (2018) QGIS Geographic Information System. Open Source Geospatial Foundation Project. http://qgis.org.

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APPENDIX A SITE LAYOUT

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Church Street, Moate, Co. Westmeath T +353 86 1736075 [email protected]