Chapter 13 - Natural Heritage

13 - Natural Heritage 

This chapter considers the natural heritage of the Southern Environs which includes the Natural Environment, Biodiversity and Green Infrastructure. Similar to Built Heritage, our Natural Heritage is a key and distinctive asset, which can also be used to promote a positive image of the Environs. The natural heritage of the Southern Environs is a material asset, which should be protected and enhanced.

The natural heritage of the Southern Environs includes a wide range of natural features including for example the River Shannon and Ballinacurra Creek/ Ballynaclough River, the Neighbourhood Park at Mungret, turloughs at Loughmore Common and Monteen and an artificial lake at Bunlicky.

The natural heritage of the Environs are essential to the environmental quality, ecological biodiversity, landscape character, visual amenity and recreation activities of the Environs.

Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) are legally protected under the EU Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) and are selected for the conservation of Annex I habitats and Annex II species.

With respect to the natural environment of the Southern Environs the European designated (EU Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC) Special Areas of Conservation of the Lower River Shannon and Special Protection Area of the River Shannon and River Fergus are located within the plan area. The Ballincurra Creek/ Ballynaclough River which flows through the Southern Environs, is a tributary of the River Shannon.

While not legally designated, proposed Natural Heritage Areas are of significance for wildlife and habitats and are protected under the Wildlife Amendment Act 2000. The proposed Natural Heritage Areas within the Southern Environs include Loughmore Common and the Inner Shannon Estuary South Shore.

Ireland is required under the terms of the EU Birds Directive (2009/147/EC) to designate Special Protection Areas (SPAs) for the protection of endangered species of wild birds. There are no SPAs within the Southern Environs.

Green Infrastructure is the physical environment within and between Limerick City, the Environs and surrounding countryside, comprising a network of multi-functional open spaces, including formal parks, gardens, woodlands, green corridors, waterways and trees etc. Green Infrastructure includes all environmental resources such as air and water quality and provides vital amenity and recreational spaces for communities, thus contributing to the health and quality of life of residents and visitors to the Environs.

In addition to creating passive recreation, green infrastructure can help mitigate the impacts of climate change. Complementing and often replacing conventional built infrastructure, green infrastructure can provide natural solutions to carry, store, absorb and treat water, pollination, soil erosion, flooding, habitats for wildlife, ecological corridors and biodiversity. Green infrastructure also creates more attractive environments, with benefits for health and well-being.

The Shannon Estuary provides a unique amenity to the Southern Environs, which requires management having cognisance to the ecological sensitivities of the area. In addition, the Ballinacurra Creek/ Ballynaclough River provides a nature corridor extending through the Environs. There are also turloughs at Loughmore Common and Monteen and an artificial lake at Bunlicky, which has developed a diversity of wildlife species and habitat.

In addition to ecological benefits, the existing parks and amenity open spaces in the Southern Environs, such as at the Neighbourhood Park at Mungret provide a focal point for active and passive recreation. As outlined under Chapter 9 Community Infrastructure of this LAP, playgrounds are located at Mungret and The Crescent Shopping Centre. An outdoor gym is located at Mungret. There are also a number of walking routes, sports grounds and clubs located

in the Environs. The benefits of this infrastructure are wide ranging and include:

• The creation of a community and a sense of place;

• Encouraging healthy lifestyles and physical activity through the use of walkways and cycle paths;

• Access to nature and the environment;

• The creation of a pleasant environment to attract business and inward investment;

• Climate Change adaptation.

Open spaces and residential developments can be enriched by retaining and enhancing existing natural features, as well as introducing new habitats. The retention and enhancement of existing natural features, such as hedgerows and associated ditches and streams offers the potential to introduce SuDS measures, and to retain wildlife corridors through new developments. The addition of surface attenuation ponds, green roofs and living walls in these developments has the potential to transform an environment into one that offers significant opportunities for wildlife.

The Local Authority aims to ensure access to all areas of public space and institutional lands is maximised, and major spaces are linked via amenable pedestrian routes.

13.4 Biodiversity 

Biodiversity is the diversity of life, the diversity of all the organisms that occur on Earth. A wide diversity of species, habitats, ecosystems and landscapes make up the biodiversity of the Southern Environs. The National Biodiversity Action Plan was published in 2017.

Humans are an integral part of the Biodiversity of Earth and our actions can affect it in both a positive and negative way. Ecology deals with the inter-relations between organisms and the places in which they live. This can refer to human beings’ dealings and interactions with both the habitats and species around them. A habitat is the type of area where an organism or a number of organisms are at home.

In terms of biodiversity, over the past few decades there has been loss and fragmentation in areas that have undergone significant development. However, the Southern Environs also includes and adjoins substantial areas of natural habitat. Connected green spaces provide the greatest benefit to biodiversity in an urban context. In this regard, there is an opportunity to recognise the key conservation value role the Shannon River plays in the County’s biodiversity.

Trees and hedgerows are an important feature for biodiversity and visual amenity. There is potential to conserve and enhance this biodiversity in the Southern Environs through the planning system. Individual planning applications can provide or retain hedgerows, landscaped areas, retention or planting of trees and preservation of natural features etc. The link between the quality of the local environment, of which trees and hedgerows are an important component, and human well-being is one that is increasingly recognised.

Planting new edge or buffer treatments will be encouraged as part of new developments, for example, particularly between contrasting land uses at established industrial areas and surrounding residential developments. These areas will emphasize enhancement of local biodiversity and local surface water management, while enhancing visual amenity.

Objectives to facilitate the management of invasive species shall be implemented in this LAP.

Natural Heritage: Strategic Policy: