The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and Down District Council today confirmed that members of the public will not have access to part of the public pathway which runs from Rocks Road to Sheepland Road for three weeks in October to allow sheep to graze and maintain the right conditions for new seed germination.
The path is situated within the Sheepland Coast Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) and is being closed for public and animal safety reasons.
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The old watermill at Sheepland on the north side of Ardglass reflecting the long social heritage of the Sheepland area. (Picture courtesy of Down Museum.)[/caption]
NIEA, Down District Council and local landowners have been working in partnership to implement effective conservation grazing on this section of Sheepland Coast ASSI to assist active management to maintain a very species-rich, open grassland habitat.
Helen Anderson, Director of Natural Environment (NIEA) said: “We recognise the inconvenience caused to the public with the temporary closure of the Public Right of Way along Sheepland Coast, but we hope people appreciate it is to manage this special place creating prosperity and well being for current and future generations.
“The ASSI is fairly narrow along a rocky coastline with cliff vegetation and steep drops. Down DC has agreed with NIEA to put an annual temporary closure notice. The path must be shut for public health and safety and animal welfare reasons. There is risk to walkers from free roaming livestock and risk to livestock from walkers and their dogs.
“NIEA recognises the important role of landowners in managing our Natural Heritage and designated sites and asks the public to support them. Where grazing has ceased few plant species are visible and the vegetation has become much thicker. We are working with local landowners to reinstate active management in the form of conservation grazing on these areas with the aim of returning the site to a species rich, favourable condition.
“Open grassland will allow more light in helping the growth of smaller more delicate plants such as Spring-sedge, Wild Thyme, Field Wood-rush, Common Bird’s-foot-trefoil, Bulbous Buttercup, Lady’s Bedstraw and Sea Campion. There is a great diversity of species on the grassland slopes and cliffs with distinctive colourful displays of plants such as Spring Squill, Primrose and Kidney Vetch.”
The notice excludes members of the public from this right of way during three weeks, 1 – 22 October.
Sheepland Coast was declared an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) on the 27 June 2007 and its designated features are, Maritime cliff and slope, Lowland meadow, Fen and Earth Science:-Lower Palaeozoic.
Areas of Special Scientific Interest represent the very best examples of Northern Ireland’s impressive natural heritage, and within them may be found our most important, rare or threatened habitats and species or geological features.
The law relating to ASSIs is contained in the Environment (Northern Ireland) Order 2002, by this order NIEA must ensure that ASSI’s are appropriately managed for their scientific interest and properly protected from potentially damaging activities.
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