Draft Habitats Regulations Assessment Report of Local Development Plan 2030 – Draft Plan Strategy February 2019 The Logo The mark includes the three Helping to suggest a sense spires synonymous with of a new united region The Mid Ulster District the town of Magherafelt, which spans two counties, Council logo has been a castle, representing the the shield also portrays two designed to reflect the area ancient seat of the O’Neill’s oak leaves around the red by incorporating elements of and the Dungannon area’s hand of Ulster. The rolling the new Mid Ulster region. association with the old line in the centre of the The traditional shield shape kings of Ulster. A wheat shield acknowledges an recalls the intricate, heraldic bundle which featured in important local landmark, Council coat of arms but Cookstown’s crest refers the Sperrin mountains, and is interpreted in a clean, to the significance of the four waves represent the modern way helping to agriculture to the area, both waters of Lough Neagh. signify the beginning of in the past and present, a new era. and is a symbol of the rural landscape and community. 6 Mid Ulster District Council — Brand Identity Guidelines — March 2015 01 This draft Habitats Regulations Assessment Report has been prepared by Shared Environmental Service in conjunction with Mid Ulster District Council. Consultation Mid Ulster District Council is consulting on the Mid Ulster District Council Local Development Plan – Draft Plan Strategy 2030 for an 8-week period commencing on Friday 22nd February 2019. A copy of the Draft Plan Strategy and all supporting documentation including the Sustainability Appraisal incorporating Strategic Environmental Assessment Report, Equality Impact Screening Report, Habitats Regulations Assessment Report, Rural Needs Impact Assessment and background evidence is available on the Mid Ulster District Council website: www.midulstercouncil.org/planning/Mid-Ulster-Development-Plan or at the council offices at Burn Road, Cookstown, Circular Road Dungannon and Ballyronan Road, Magherafelt during the hours of 9am-5pm. A series of exhibitions and drop-in sessions will be held at a number of locations as set out in the draft Plan Strategy. Planning staff will be available to answer questions. To make a representation you can do so in the following ways: Online: Utilising our online representation form (Survey Monkey) at: www.midulstercouncil.org/planning/mid-ulster-development-plan Download a representation from at the above website address. By mail: Email us at: [email protected] In writing to the following postal address: Development Plan Team, Planning Department, Mid Ulster District Council, 50 Ballyronan Road, Magherafelt, BT45 6EN All representations must be received by 4pm on 19th April 2019. An information leaflet on making a representation is available on our website, or from the Development Plan Team upon request. Alternative Formats This information can be made available in alternative formats, such as audio, braille, easy read or large print and may be provided in alternative languages, upon request. Please contact Mid Ulster District Council’s Corporate Policy and Equality Officer on 03000 132 132 or via email [email protected] Contents Non-technical Summary......................................................................................................................................... i 1. The Mid Ulster Plan Strategy ....................................................................................................................... 1 2. Habitats Regulations Assessment: The Approach ........................................................................................ 4 3. Screening of Plan and Potential Sites ........................................................................................................... 9 4. Screening for Likely Significant Effects ....................................................................................................... 11 5. Protective Measures in the draft Plan Strategy ......................................................................................... 22 6. Tests of Likely Significance and Appropriate Assessments ........................................................................ 26 Ballynahone Bog SAC and Ramsar Site .................................................................................................. 29 Curran Bog SAC ..................................................................................................................................... 33 Dead Island Bog SAC ............................................................................................................................. 37 Wolf Island Bog SAC .............................................................................................................................. 41 Teal Lough SAC and Proposed Ramsar Site ........................................................................................... 45 Black Bog SAC and Ramsar Site ............................................................................................................. 49 Carn-Glenshane Pass SAC ..................................................................................................................... 53 Tonnagh Beg Bog SAC ........................................................................................................................... 57 Peatlands Park SAC ............................................................................................................................... 61 Banagher Glen SAC ............................................................................................................................... 66 River Roe and Tributaries SAC ............................................................................................................... 70 Owenkillew River SAC ........................................................................................................................... 75 Upper Ballinderry River SAC .................................................................................................................. 81 Slieve Beagh SAC and Ramsar Site ........................................................................................................ 86 Slieve Beagh-Mullaghfad-Lisnaskea SPA and Slieve Beagh (Ireland) SPA .............................................. 91 Lough Neagh and Lough Beg SPA and Ramsar Site ............................................................................... 97 7. Outcome and Recommendations ............................................................................................................ 108 Abbreviations ................................................................................................................................................... 113 Glossary ........................................................................................................................................................... 115 Appendix 1: References and Evidence Sources................................................................................................ 116 Appendix 2: The Habitats Regulations ............................................................................................................. 117 Appendix 3: Planning Policies for International Designations .......................................................................... 118 Appendix 4: The Approach to Habitats Regulations Assessment for Plans ...................................................... 120 Appendix 5: Review of draft Plan Strategy Proposals and Policies ................................................................... 124 Appendix 6: Review of draft Plan Strategy Spatial Areas ................................................................................. 144 Appendix 7: Maps ............................................................................................................................................ 149 Non-technical Summary Habitats Regulations Assessment Regulation 43 of the Habitats Regulations, which implement a requirement of the Habitats and Birds Directives, requires an appropriate assessment to be undertaken of plans and projects which are likely to have a significant effect on an International site in Northern Ireland, either alone or in combination with other plans or projects. This is known as Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) and provides for assessment of the implications of a land use plan for International sites in view of their conservation objectives. International sites include Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Areas (SPA). Ramsar sites are also subject to HRA as a matter of policy. It is accepted practice to also carry out HRA for International sites in adjoining countries where there is potential for a cross border effect. This draft HRA Report is prepared in support of the draft Plan Strategy for Mid Ulster District Council Local Development Plan (LDP). It records the assessment of the draft Plan Strategy proposals and its potential impacts on International sites. Overview of draft Plan Strategy The draft Plan Strategy provides a plan-led policy framework for making day-to-day decisions to help Mid Ulster District Council (the District) deliver sustainable development including housing, employment, retail, open space and infrastructure provision across the District. It sets out how the area will change and grow until 2030. The draft