CHAPTER 13 ARCHAEOLOGY, ARCHITECTURAL & CULTURAL HERITAGE

Transcription

1 NORTH MEATH WIND FARM LTD. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT FOR THE PROPOSED CASTLETOWNMOOR WIND FARM VOLUME 2 MAIN EIS CHAPTER 13 ARCHAEOLOGY, ARCHITECTURAL & CULTURAL HERITAGE MAY 2016

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE 13 ARCHAEOLOGY, ARCHITECTURAL & CULTURAL HERITAGE INTRODUCTION METHODOLOGY Study Area Layout of the Chapter, Appendices and Figures/Illustrations Relevant Guidance Cultural Heritage Assets (Archaeological, Architectural and Cultural Heritage) Evaluation Process EXISTING ENVIRONMENT Archaeological and Historical Background Archaeological Heritage Architectural Heritage Cultural Heritage Turbine Delivery Routes and HV Cable Routes Replant Lands POTENTIAL IMPACTS Potential Impacts during Construction Potential Impacts during Operation Potential Cumulative Impacts Potential Impacts during Decommissioning MITIGATION MEASURES Construction Operation Decommissioning RESIDUAL IMPACTS REFERENCES US:/P0177 i/ii

3 LIST OF TABLES PAGE TABLE 13.1: TOWNLANDS, BARONIES AND PARISHES IN THE EMLAGH WIND FARM... 1 TABLE 13.2: ASSESSMENT FIGURES... 2 TABLE 13.3: ABBREVIATIONS IN THE TEXT... 2 TABLE 13.4: LIST OF APPENDICES... 3 TABLE 13.5: ASSESSMENT STUDY AREA... 6 TABLE 13.6: PHOTOMONTAGES RELEVANT TO THE ASSESSMENT OF CULTURAL HERITAGE ASSETS... 8 TABLE 13.7: FACTORS TO BE CONSIDER WHEN ASSESSING IMPACTS OF WIND FARM DEVELOPMENTS ON SETTING TABLE 13.8: VALUE OF THE HERITAGE ASSETS TABLE 13.9: ASSESSMENT OF MAGNITUDE OF IMPACT TABLE 13.10:SIGNIFICANCE OF THE OVERALL IMPACT TABLE 13.11:STRAY FINDS FROM THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF IRELAND TABLE 13.12:TOWNLAND NAMES TABLE 13.13:RMP SITES WITHIN CASTLETOWNMOOR WIND FARM TABLE 13.14:RMP SITES WITHIN THE WITHIN 1KM OF CASTLETOWNMOOR WIND FARM TABLE 13.15:NATIONAL MONUMENTS WITHIN 5KM OF THE WIND FARM TABLE 13.16:NATIONAL MONUMENTS WITHIN THE 30KM ZTV IN ELEVATED POSITIONS TABLE 13.17:RPS SITES WITHIN 1KM OF CASTLETOWNMOOR WIND FARM TABLE :DEMESNE/COUNTRY HOUSES WITHIN 3KM OF CASTLETOWNMOOR WIND FARM TABLE 13.19:ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION AREA TABLE 13.20:CULTURAL HERITAGE SITES/ FEATURES OF INTEREST WITHIN 500M TABLE 13.21:CULTURAL HERITAGE SITES/ FEATURES OF INTEREST -TURBINE DELIVERY ROUTES TABLE 13.22:CULTURAL HERITAGE SITES/FEATURES OF INTEREST MV CABLE ROUTES TABLE 13.23:IMPACT ON THE SETTING WORLD HERITAGE SITES AND CANDIDATE SITES TABLE 13.24:IMPACT ON THE SETTING OF NATIONAL MONUMENTS WITHIN 5KM TABLE 13.25:IMPACT ON THE SETTING OF NATIONAL MONUMENTS IN ELEVATED POSITIONS TABLE 13.26:SETTING IMPACTS RMP SITES TABLE 13.27:IMPACTS OF ON THE SETTING OF RPS SITES TABLE 13.28:IMPACTS OF ON THE SETTING OF ACA S TABLE 13.29:SUMMARY OF IMPACTS TABLE 13.30:RESIDUAL IMPACTS ON CULTURAL HERITAGE ASSETS US:/P0177 ii/ii

4 13 ARCHAEOLOGY, ARCHITECTURAL & CULTURAL HERITAGE 13.1 Introduction This chapter of the environmental impact statement (EIS) evaluates the likely significant effects on the archaeological heritage, architectural heritage and cultural heritage arising from the proposed Castletownmoor Wind Farm development. The proposed wind farm encloses an area of 721.2ha and consists of up to 25 turbines with a tip height up to 169m. Its associated infrastructure comprises a substation, borrow pits and access tracks, drainage, as well as an underground cable grid connection to the existing Gorman sub-station and the necessary minor alterations to the public roads for the turbine delivery routes. The full development proposal is set out in Section 2.3 of this EIS and illustrated in Figure in Volume 2a, figures associated with the main EIS chapters. The purpose of this section of the EIS is to evaluate the importance and sensitivity of the receiving cultural heritage environment and to identify and evaluate the likely and significant impacts of the proposed development and associated infrastructure on this environment. In addition, where potential significant impacts are identified, mitigation measures are proposed Methodology Study Area Location The proposed Castletownmoor Wind Farm is located in northeastern part of County Meath (Figure 13.1). It incorporates an area to the northeast of Kells town, east of Carlanstown village, southeast of Nobber, south of the N52, north of the R163 and west of Wilkinstown and Castletown. It surrounds Emlagh bog which has for the most part been afforested. There are a number of rivers and minor tributaries that drain the lands in the Castletownmoor study area including the River Blackwater and the Owenroe or Moynalty River (also known as the Barora) and the Yellow River. The importance of these rivers as a resource and communication routes from the prehistoric period up to the present day is demonstrated by the number of ritual and settlement sites and later industrial sites in their vicinity. In 18 th and 19 th century country houses and their demesnes also benefited from their aesthetic and leisure qualities Political Divisions The proposed Castletownmoor Wind Farm incorporates the following townlands, parishes and baronies in the northeastern part of County of Meath. Table 13.1: Townlands, Baronies and Parishes in the Emlagh Wind Farm Townland name Barony Parish Balreask Lower Kells Emlagh Castletownmoor Lower Kells Staholmog Clongill Morgallion Clongill Clooney Morgallion Drakestown Drakerath Lower Kells Staholmog Drakestown Morgallion Drakestown Emlagh Lower Kells Emlagh Fletcherstown Morgallion Clongill Glebe Morgallion Clongill Grange Glebe Upper Kells Kells US:/P0177 Page 1 of 51

5 Townland name Barony Parish Gravelstown Lower Kells Emlagh Mountainstown Morgallion Kilshine Oristown Morgallion Clongill Reask Lower Kells Emlagh Rossmeen Upper kells Kells St. John's Rath Lower Kells Staholmog Layout of the Chapter, Appendices and Figures/Illustrations Figures This chapter must be read in conjunction the accompanying Figures which are detailed as follows: Table 13.2: Assessment Figures Figure Figure 13.1 Figure 13.2 Figure 13.3 Figure 13.4 Figure 13.5 Content Location of the wind farm in its wider landscape setting, showing all national monuments within 5km of the wind farm, UNESCO world heritage and candidate sites within the 30km Zone of Theoretical Visibility and a selected number of national monuments in elevated positions are shown. Wind farm site layout and associated infrastructure and the recorded archaeological monuments (RMP sites) within a 3km and the 5km zone. Wind farm site layout and associated infrastructure and Protected Structures (RPS sites), within the 3km and the 5km zone and cultural heritage features identified within 500m of the wind farm and along the cable route. Layout of the internal access tracks/mv cables and associated infrastructure and all the designated cultural heritage assets Associated external infrastructure. Proposed HV Irish Grid Connection Routes, MV Cables, Haul Routes and Turbine Delivery Routes Abbreviations used in the text The following are abbreviations used when referring to protected structures, record of monuments and places etc. in the text: Table 13.3: Abbreviations in the text Abbreviation Meaning Unique reference format RPS Record of Protected Structures MH OS six-inch map ref and then a unique number e.g. MH for Meath sites RMP Record of Monuments and Places ME followed by OS six six-inch map ref and then a unique number e.g. ME NIAH National Inventory of Architectural An eight-digit unique number e.g Heritage NIAH Garden Survey National Inventory of Architectural Heritage County ref, followed by 1: 50,000 OS Map and unique ID number e.g. ME-35-N HM Historic Monument HM, followed by five-digit number HM01861 MIHS Meath Industrial Heritage Survey MIAHS, followed by OS six map ref, unique number e.g. MIAHS CH Cultural Heritage sites (undesignated sites identified) CH, followed by unique ID number, e.g. CH5 MFNP Meath Field Names Project N/a ACA Architectural Conservation Area N/a WH site World Heritage Site Unique ID number e.g. 659 for Brú na Bóinne DAHG Department of Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht N/a US:/P0177 Page 2 of 51

6 Abbreviation Meaning Unique reference format NMI National Museum of Ireland N/a RSA Route Screening Analysis Considers actual visibility of the proposed wind farm from surrounding roads using imagery captured in the field then subsequently reviewed in the context of a digital model of the development. Appendices The main text in this chapter is supported by Appendix L1 L8 of Volume 3 and are as follows: Table 13.4: List of Appendices Appendix L1 L2 L3 L4 L5 L6 L7 L8 Content Archaeology, Architectural and Cultural Heritage Field Assessment UNESCO sites and National Monuments within 5km and 30km of Castletownmoor Wind Farm ACA s and Demesnes/Country Houses within 3km of Castletownmoor Wind Farm RMP sites and RPS sites within 1 3km of Castletownmoor Wind Farm Standards, Guidelines and Relevant Legislation Cultural Heritage Designations Meath County Council Policies Castletownmoor Wind Farm Geophysical Survey Report Relevant Guidance In Ireland there are a number of policy and guidance documents issued by the government, local authorities, and semi state bodies to assist in the identification, protection and avoidance of heritage assets. These guidelines also assist in standardising the approach taken during the planning and design stages of development. The following guidelines were considered and consulted for the purposes of the Castletownmoor Wind Farm Project: I. Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and Islands (formerly DAHGI, now DAHG) (1999a), Framework and Principles for the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage II. DAHGI (1999b), Policy and Guidelines on Archaeological Excavation III. Department of Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht (DAHG) (2011), Architectural Heritage Protection Guidelines for Planning Authorities. IV. DAHG (2012), Code of Practice between the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, the National Museum of Ireland and Bord na Móna V. Cork County Council Heritage Unit (2007), Guidance Notes for the Appraisal of Historic Gardens, Demesnes, Estate and their Settings VI. The Heritage Council (2013), Historic Landscape Characterisation in Ireland: Best Practice Guidance VII. The Heritage Council (October 2013a), The Onshore Wind Farm Sector in Ireland, Planning in Harmony With Heritage, Policy Research Paper, Volume 1, Draft Final Report VIII. The Heritage Council (October 2013b), The Onshore Wind Farm Sector in Ireland, Planning in Harmony With Heritage, Policy Research Paper, Review of S28 Wind Energy Guidelines, 2006 Volume 2, Draft Final Report IX. Relevant sections of County Development Plans X. Forest Service (2000), Forestry and Archaeology Guidelines XI. National Roads Authority (NRA) (2006), Guidelines for the Assessment of Archaeological Heritage Impacts of National Road Schemes XII. NRA (2005), Guidelines for the Testing and Mitigation of the Wetland Archaeological Heritage for National Road Schemes XIII. NRA (2006), Guidelines for the Assessment of Architectural Heritage Impacts of National Road Schemes XIV. NRA (2010), Project Management Guidelines US:/P0177 Page 3 of 51

7 XV. English Heritage 1 (2005), Wind Energy and the Historic Environment this guidance is used in above mentioned the Heritage Council Publication 2013 (Item VII) XVI. Historic England (July 2015), Historic Environment Good Practice Advice in Planning, Note 3: The Setting of Heritage Assets XVII. Historic Scotland (October 2010), Managing Change in the Historic Environment XVIII. The Heritage Council (2010), Proposals for Irelands Landscapes XIX. International Council on Monuments and Sites (2011), Guidance on Heritage Impact Assessments for Cultural World Heritage Properties Legislation and international charters I. Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of the Architectural Heritage of Europe (Granada) 1985, ratified by Ireland in 1991 II. Council of Europe European Convention on the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage (Valletta) 1992, ratified by Ireland in 1997 III. The Burra Charter, the Australia ICOMOS Charter for Places of Cultural Significance 2013 IV. UNESCO Convention concerning the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage 1972, ratified by Ireland in 1991 V. The European Landscape Convention (ELC), ratified by Ireland 2002 European Landscapes Convention (The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government Landscape and Landscape Assessment Guidelines have been in draft form since 2000, however the Draft National Landscape Strategy (NLS) was launched in July 2014.) VI. ICOMOS Xi an Declaration on the Conservation of the Setting of Heritage Structures, Sites and Areas. Paris: International Council on Monuments and Sites, 2005 VII. National Monuments Act, 1930, as amended in 1954, 1987, 1994, 2004 and 2012 (S.I. 249 of 2012) VIII. The Heritage Act, 1995 IX. The Architectural Heritage (National Inventory) and Historic Monuments (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1999 X. Planning and Development Act, 2000, as amended A summary of Meath County Councils policies relating to Archaeology, Architectural Heritage and Cultural Heritage is provided in Appendix L7 of Volume Cultural Heritage Assets (Archaeological, Architectural and Cultural Heritage) General Consideration of the historic environment included UNESCO World Heritage (WH) Sites and candidate sites on the Tentative List for inscription onto the World Heritage List, national monuments, recorded archaeological monuments (RMP), protected structures (RPS), designed landscapes, architectural conservation areas (ACAs), National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) building and garden survey sites, structures of architectural heritage merit (vernacular, urban and rural), cultural heritage features, industrial heritage, placenames, language and inherited traditions Archaeological Heritage Archaeology is the study of past societies through the material remains left by those societies and the evidence of their environment. The archaeological heritage consists of such material remains (whether in the form of sites and monuments or artefacts in the sense of moveable objects) and environmental evidence (1). The National Monuments Service (NMS) of the Department of Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht (formerly Department of Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht) has a responsibility to protect the archaeological heritage and to exercise powers of preservation under the National Monuments Acts, , taking account of the European Convention for the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage. The protection of the archaeological heritage is provided for using the following four statutory designations: Record of Monuments and Places (RMP) National monument in the ownership or guardianship of the Minister for AHG or a Local Authority National monument subject to a Preservation Order (or temporary Preservation Order) 1 Now Historic England US:/P0177 Page 4 of 51

8 Register of Historic Monuments (RHM) UNESCO World Heritage sites (including candidate UNESCO World Heritage Sites on Tentative List) Ireland ratified the World Heritage Convention in 1991 and as such pledges to conserve not only the World Heritage sites situated on its territory, but also to protect its national heritage. Ireland has two World Heritage (WH) Sites that are considered to have outstanding universal value namely Skellig Michael, an island monastery off the west coast of Kerry and Brú na Bóinne, or the Bend of the Boyne Ensemble in the Boyne Valley, County Meath World heritage sites are sites that have an international value that has been clearly articulated. They are cultural properties considered to be of Outstanding Universal Value that are part of the world heritage of Mankind as a whole and deserve protection and transmission to future generations (2). A Tentative List is an inventory of properties considered by each State Party to be of outstanding universal value which they intend to nominate for inscription onto the World Heritage List Architectural Heritage Architectural heritage is defined as all structures and buildings (together with their settings and attendant grounds, fixtures and fittings, groups of such structures and buildings and sites), which are of architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest. Architectural heritage is generally visible and has a presence in the landscape which requires assessment. (3). This chapter seeks to identify the properties/structures of architectural heritage merit that will be impacted by the proposed wind farm. The identification, recording and protection of the architectural heritage are provided using the following: Record of Protected Structures (RPS) Architectural Conservation Areas (ACA) National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) NIAH Historic Garden and Designed Landscape Survey Cultural Heritage Cultural heritage is a broad term that now has come to include a wide range of tangible and intangible cultural considerations that are bound up in cultural memory and associations, belief, traditions, past knowledge, traditional and arcane practices, craft and building skills, and the oral tradition of local populations. It encompasses aspects of archaeology, architecture, history, landscape and garden design, folklore and tradition and topography. Cultural heritage can be expressed in physical ways, for example: settlements designed landscapes natural resources of economic value (e.g. mining sites, quarries, caves, mills weirs, fish passes etc.) building & structures (outside of NIAH and RPS) infrastructural features (coach roads, military roads etc.). and it is also expressed in non-physical ways, for example: in folklore inherited tradition (pilgrim paths, pattern day routes, historical county fairs or long established sporting activities and traditional country pursuits) history/ historical events (e.g. battle sites) townland, placenames and language. By identifying and articulating these values they may be considered, respected and protected in the context of change in the future. Any items of interest made known by local inhabitants during the course of site work was duly considered, recorded and assessed in the impact assessment. Site work was augmented by an examination of local publications and historic map sources, namely Ordnance Survey six-inch maps, and the Meath Industrial Heritage Survey (4). US:/P0177 Page 5 of 51

9 Evaluation Process Baseline Reporting The evaluation process ensures that all designations relating to heritage assets as well as cultural heritage features that are revealed through research, field assessment and consultation are clearly articulated. A review of the following information took place in order to inform the cultural heritage report: Nationwide surveys such as the RMP, NIAH, RPS and landscape characterisation and a review of their designations National Monuments, World Heritage Sites Candidate UNESCO World Heritage Sites Artefactual material held in the National Museum of Ireland Archaeological Inventory of County Meath Local authority designated archaeological landscapes Cartographical Sources, OSi Historic Mapping Archive, including early editions of the Ordnance Survey including historical mapping (such as Down Survey 1656 Map) The Irish archaeological excavations catalogue i.e. Excavations bulletin and Excavations Database Place names Meath County Development Plan ( ) Meath Industrial Heritage Survey (2010) Aerial imagery (Google earth , Bing 2013) to be used in combination with historic mapping to map potential cultural heritage assets. Information from similar or other infrastructure projects in proximity to the proposed wind farms, for example EISs, SEAs, conservation plans, archaeological test assessments and excavations. Existing guidelines and best practice approaches. Other documentary sources (as listed in the references Section 13.7) A review was also carried out of the cultural heritage information gathered for the previous Emlagh Wind Farm application Emlagh (Wind Farm Application, 17.PA0038), the subsequent Further Information Request, An Bord Pleanála (ABP) Oral Hearing, ABP inspectors report and final judgement Assessment Study Area A desk study review was carried out of all recorded statutory cultural heritage assets within a 5km zone (Figure ). The purpose of this broad review was to identify and understand the character, context and significance of the archaeological, architectural and cultural heritage assets surrounding the proposed wind farm site. The assessment of the impact of the proposed development included all statutory cultural heritage assets i.e. RPS, RMP, ACA s) within the immediate vicinity of the wind farm up to 3km from the closest wind turbine and all national monuments up to 5km. World Heritage Sites (including candidate sites) were assessed within a much wider 30km zone along with selected number of national monuments in elevated positions where longrange visual change was thought to be relevant (using the Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) map produced for the project). The assessment also includes newly identified cultural heritage features identified through fieldwork within 500m of the wind turbines or access/cable routes. Table 13.5: Assessment Study Area Heritage Asset Types World Heritage Sites (including candidate sites) and national monuments or significant publically accessible sites in prominent locations National monuments Recorded Monuments Protected Structures and ACA s Undesignated Cultural Heritage features (fieldwork) Study Area Extent 30km 5km 3km 3km 500m US:/P0177 Page 6 of 51

10 Field work The land within the proposed wind farm was inspected from August November 2013, May- August 2014 and again in April and May The field inspection was undertaken to assess current and previous land use, access to the site, local topography and any additional environmental information relevant to the site s appraisal. It sought to identify and assess cultural heritage sites that might be subject to setting impacts as a result of the operation of the wind farm. An evaluation was undertaken of any identified heritage features as well as the potential of any given area. The proposed location for wind turbines and access tracks were all visited and assessed in the field. The field survey also sought to identify any low-visibility archaeological features with little surface expression and to identify properties, structures or features considered to be of architectural or cultural heritage merit. All features were recorded and photographed using a GPS camera. Local heritage information was noted throughout the field survey process. Full access was gained to all the lands within the wind farm boundaries. Where the immediate environs of a site or protected structure outside the wind farm development boundary were not publicly accessible the assessment was made on observations from any public viewpoints nearby in conjunction with aerial survey and cartographic sources. The field assessment of the wind farm is described in Appendix L1 L3 with accompanying illustrations, historic map sources and photographs. Geophysical Survey A geophysical survey (licence number 14R0071) was carried out as part of the Emlagh Windfarm application within the wind farm lands where turbines or cable routes were found to be located immediate proximity of recorded archaeological monuments. Survey results that remain relevant to the present application are those carried out carried out at Castletownmoor turbine T17, in proximity to Ringfort ME ; and Castletownmoor turbine T2 and cable route, in the vicinity of standing stones ME and ME This survey is provided in full in Appendix L8 and its results are summarised in Appendix L1. Data analysis The mapping and data analysis was managed through ArcGIS (a geographical information programme). Information was structured by the identification of heritage assets, such as the RMP, National Monuments, RPS as point data on the programme. For this project the RMP datasets were obtained from (accessed and downloaded 05/04/2016). The National Monuments list was sourced directly from the DAHG, digitised and added as a layer. The RPS and the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage were also obtained from the DAHG and from Meath County Council as datasets for use in the Geographical Information System for the project which formed a permanent renewable database to provide information for the EIS process Photomontages Where relevant photomontages were used to better understand the visual relationship between heritage assets and the wind farm Photomontages (contained in Volume 4) that illustrate the visual presence of the proposed wind farm from certain sites of cultural heritage significance are listed in Table 13.6 below and are referred to in the text where relevant: US:/P0177 Page 7 of 51

11 Table 13.6: Photomontages relevant to the assessment of cultural heritage assets Name of Asset Photomontage Reference Name of Photomontage Brú na Bóinne WH Site Kells Monastic Site & the Historic Core ACA The Royal Site of Tara Headfort Place ACA Cruicetown Church & Cross Nat. monument Robertstown Castle Nat. monument Hill of Lloyd /Spire of Lloyd H18 VP25 VP26 VP27 VP28 C8 H3 H8 VP57 VP58 VP15 H10 H11 H12 H13 H14 H2 H9 H5 H1 VP8 Newgrange Entrance View from Corballis/Redmountain Newgrange Megalithic Tomb (western side) Dowth Megalithic tomb (top of) Knowth Megalithic tomb (top of) Kells view north along Maudlin Street (within Anglo Norman suburb) St Columb s House Gooseberry Lane Pitcher Lane Church Hill, Corner of Church Lane & Crosscarrick St Hill of Tara -Lia Fáil Tomb of the Hostages Visitors centre Visitors centre carpark Banqueting Hall Rath Caelchon Barrow Headfort Place ACA Market Cross Cruicetown National Monument Ref view from the north of the church site Robertstown National Monument - view from the Robertstown Cross Roads Base of tower at Hill of Lloyd, Kells H4 Rath Dhú (ME ) National Monument - view from within the site Teltown Ráith Airthir (ME ) - view from the entrance at H6 Donaghpatrick Church H7 View towards the area of Knockauns (ME ) Tlachtga (Hill of Ward) VP24 Tlaghta (Hill of Ward) (top of) Loughcrew (Slieve Loughcrew Megalithic Tomb VP9 na Calliagh) Trim Castle VP29 Trim Castle (Top of) Slane VP18 Hill of Slane VP22 R163 Headfort Bridge, Kells Headfort Demesne ACA VP53 VP54 H15 H16 H17 Headfort House and Demesne Headfort Golf Course Headfort House (VP53) - Winter view Headfort - View from the entrance driveway (A) Headfort - View from entrance driveway (B) In addition, a route screening analysis (RSA) was carried out within Kells town in order to demonstrate the level of visibility which was undertaken within the town to assess the extent of visibility of the proposed wind farm from the existing street network (EIS Volume 4(A)). US:/P0177 Page 8 of 51

12 Assessment of Impacts Potential effects of the proposed Wind Farm development on the cultural heritage resource can be described in three categories: Direct physical effects; Indirect physical effects; and Effects on setting. Direct Physical Effects Direct physical effects describe those development activities that directly cause damage to the fabric of a heritage asset. Typically, these activities are related to construction works; in the case of wind farms they could include excavation of foundations for the turbines and substations, creation of access tracks and the excavation of cable trenches. It follows that this category of effect will only be experienced within the application site and along the grid connection cable route that follows the roads to the existing Gorman substation. Further direct physical effects are unlikely to be experienced during the operational life of the wind farm. Similarly, the decommissioning of the wind farm will not lead to further direct physical effects, assuming that the works are carefully managed and restricted to areas already disturbed during construction. Indirect Physical Effects Indirect physical effects describe those processes, triggered by development activity, that lead to the degradation or preservation of heritage assets. A typical example of a process is the lowering of a groundwater table as a result of mineral extraction leading to the drying out of formerly waterlogged archaeological deposits in the area surrounding the extraction site. The result can be total loss of organic materials in these deposits and therefore most of their cultural value. Conversely, an effect which raised the groundwater table (by retaining water) may lead to stabilisation or improvement in the condition of waterlogged deposits. Effects on Setting Effects on setting of heritage assets describes how the presence of a development changes the surroundings of a heritage asset in such a way that it affects (positively or negatively) the heritage value of that asset. Visual effects are most commonly encountered but other environmental factors such as noise, light or air quality can be relevant in some cases. Effects may be encountered at all stages in the life cycle of a development from construction to decommissioning but they are only likely to be considered significant during the prolonged operational life of the development. In the case of the proposed development, the height of the wind turbines (up to 169m to blade tip height) results in up to 25 structures that will be visible from some distance. This visibility will be enhanced by the rotation of the blades when the turbines are operating. The proposed development therefore has the potential to generate significant effects on setting, but only for heritage assets where the wider landscape makes a substantive contribution to their value. Other environmental impacts of the proposed development have been considered as potential causes of effects on setting but have then been discounted. These include increase in noise which will not be of sufficient magnitude to affect the experience of a visitor to any of the heritage assets in the study area. US:/P0177 Page 9 of 51

13 In accordance with the Heritage Councils 2013 Policy Paper on The Onshore Wind Farm Sector in Ireland, the following factors (Table 13.7) are taken into account when assessing the acceptability of wind farm developments on the setting of historic sites and monuments (adopted from English Heritage 2005): Table 13.7: Factors to be Consider when Assessing Impacts of Wind Farm Developments on Setting Visual Dominance Scale Intervisibility Vistas and sight-lines Movement, sound or light effects Unaltered Settings Wind turbines are far greater in vertical scale than most historic features. Where an historic feature is the most visually dominant feature in the surrounding landscape, adjacent construction of turbines may be inappropriate The extent of a wind farm and the number, density and disposition of its turbines will also contribute to its visual impact Certain archaeological or historic landscape features were intended to be seen from other historic sites. Construction of wind turbines should respect this intervisibility Designed landscapes involve key vistas or the use of topography to add drama. Location of turbines within key views, which may often extend beyond any designated area, should be avoided Adequate distance should always be provided between important historic sites and wind turbine developments to avoid the site being overshadowed or affected by noise and shadow flicker effects The setting of some historic sites may be little changed from the period when the site was first constructed, used or abandoned. Largely unaltered settings for certain types of sites may be rare survivals and especially vulnerable to modern intrusions such as wind turbines The assessment of impacts in this EIS is based on a combination of the EPA Guidelines (2002), the ICOMOS Guidelines on Heritage Impact Assessments for Cultural World Heritage Properties (2011) and Historic England s (formerly English Heritage) advice note on the Setting of Heritage Assets (2015). This approach, among other considerations, reflects the need to fully address potential impacts on World Heritage Sites and candidate sites. Value of The Heritage Asset The value of the heritage asset is set out in Table 13.8 in relation to statutory designations, international or national, and priorities or recommendations set out in national research agendas, and ascribed values. Values range from UNESCO World Heritage (WH) sites which are Very High, to nationally significant sites which are High and recorded sites that are Medium etc. They also include historic landscapes, structures and intangible cultural heritage associations. Table 13.8: Value of the Heritage Assets Grading Archaeology Built heritage or Historic Urban Landscape Historic landscape Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) or Associations Very High (UNESCO World Heritage Property / Candidate World Heritage Sites for the Tentative Sites of acknowledged International importance inscribed as WH property. Individual attributes that convey Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the WH property. Sites or structures of acknowledged International importance inscribed as of universal importance as WH property. Individual attributes that convey OUV of the WH property. Landscapes of acknowledged international importance inscribed as WH property. Individual attributes that convey OUV of the WH property. Historic landscapes of international Areas associated with Intangible Cultural heritage activities as evidenced by the national register. Associations with Particular innovations, technical or scientific developments or movements of global significance. US:/P0177 Page 10 of 51

14 Grading Archaeology Built heritage or Historic Urban Landscape Historic landscape Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) or Associations World Heritage List) Assets that can contribute significantly to acknowledged international research objectives. Other buildings or urban landscapes of recognised International importance. value, whether designated or not. Extremely well preserved historic landscapes with exceptional coherence, time depth, or other critical factors. Associations with particular individuals of global importance High (National Monuments or properties of national significance) Nationallydesignated Archaeological Monuments protected by the State Party s laws (i.e. the National Monuments Legislation) Undesignated sites of the quality and importance to be designated. Assets that can contribute significantly to acknowledged national research objectives. Nationallydesignated structures with standing remains. Other buildings that can be shown to have exceptional qualities in their fabric or historical associations not adequately reflected in the listing grade. Conservation Areas containing very Important buildings. Undesignated structures of clear national importance Nationally designated historic landscape of outstanding interest. Undesignated landscapes of outstanding interest. Undesignated landscapes of high quality and importance, and of demonstrable national value. Well preserved historic landscapes, exhibiting considerable coherence, time depth or other critical factors. Nationally designated areas or activities associated with globally important Intangible Cultural Heritage activities. Associations with particular innovations, technical or scientific developments or movements of national significance. Associations with particular individuals of national importance Medium (RMP sites, RPS sites/ NIAH sites of Regional Rating) Designated or undesignated assets that can contribute significantly to regional research objectives. Designated buildings. Historic (unlisted) buildings that can be shown to have exceptional qualities or historical associations. Conservation Areas containing buildings that contributes Designated special historic landscapes. Undesignated historic landscapes that would justify special historic landscape designation. Landscapes of regional value. Averagely well preserved historic landscapes with Areas associated with Intangible Cultural heritage activities as evidenced by local registers. Associations with Particular innovations or developments of regional or local significance. Associations with particular individuals US:/P0177 Page 11 of 51

15 Grading Archaeology Built heritage or Historic Urban Landscape Historic landscape Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) or Associations significantly to its historic character. Historic townscapes or built-up areas with important historic integrity in their buildings, or built settings. reasonable coherence, time depth or other critical factors. of regional importance Low (NIAH Local) Designated or undesignated assets of local importance. Locally Listed buildings. Robust undesignated historic landscapes. Intangible Cultural heritage activities of local significance Assets compromised by poor preservation and/or poor survival of contextual associations. Assets of limited value, but with potential to contribute to local research objectives. Historic (unlisted) buildings of modest quality in their fabric or historical associations. Historic Townscape or built-up areas of limited historic integrity in their buildings, or built settings. Historic landscapes with importance to local interest groups. Historic landscapes whose value is limited by poor preservation and/or poor survival of contextual associations. Associations with particular individuals of local importance Poor survival of physical areas in which activities occur or are associated Negligible Assets with little or no surviving archaeological interest. Buildings or urban landscapes of no architectural or historical merit; buildings of an intrusive character. Landscapes little or no significant historical interest. Few associations or ICH vestiges surviving Unknown potential The importance of the asset has not been ascertained. Buildings with some hidden (i.e. inaccessible) potential for historic significance. n/a Little is known or recorded about ICH of the area Magnitude of the Impact The magnitude of impact on the value of the heritage asset is determined taking into account both direct and indirect effects (including setting) using the following impact grading i.e. Major, Moderate, Minor, Negligible and No Change, as described in Table US:/P0177 Page 12 of 51

16 Table 13.9: Assessment of Magnitude of Impact Impact Grading Archaeological Attributes Built heritage or Historic Urban Landscape attributes Historic landscape attributes Intangible Cultural Heritage attributes or Associations Major Change to archaeological materials or setting, such that the value of the resource is totally altered. Change to historic building elements or setting, such that the value of the resource is totally altered. Change to historic landscape elements, parcels or components; resulting in total change to historic landscape character and loss of OUV. Change to historic landscape elements, parcels or components; resulting in moderate changes to historic landscape character. Change to historic landscape elements, parcels or components; resulting in limited change to historic landscape character. Changes to historic landscape elements, parcels or components; resulting in a very small change to historic landscape character. No change to historic landscape character. Changes to area that have a major impact on the ICH activities or associations or visual links and Cultural appreciation. Changes to area that have a considerable impact on the ICH activities or associations or visual links and cultural appreciation Moderate Changes to archaeological materials or setting such that the value of the resource is significantly modified. Changes to historic building elements or setting, such that the value of the resource is significantly modified. Minor Changes to archaeological materials or setting, such that the value of the resource is slightly altered. Change to historic building elements or setting, such that the value of the resource is slightly different. Changes to area that have a slight impact on the ICH activities or associations or visual links and cultural appreciation. Changes to area that have a very minor impact on the ICH activities or associations or visual links and cultural appreciation. No impact on ICH Negligible Changes to archaeological materials, or setting, such that the value of the resource is hardly affected. Slight changes to historic building elements or setting, such that the value of the resource is hardly affected. No Change No impact on value of archaeological attributes. No impact on value of built heritage attributes Overall Impact The value of the asset, together with the magnitude of the impacts provides the significance of the overall impact; this can be summarized for each asset described using the following matrix in Table US:/P0177 Page 13 of 51

17 Table 13.10: Significance of the Overall Impact VALUE OF HERITAGE ASSET Very High No change MAGNITUDE OF CHANGE/IMPACT Minor change Negligible change Moderate change SIGNIFICANCE OF EFFECT (EITHER ADVERSE OR BENEFICIAL) Neutral Slight Moderate /Large Large/very large Major change Very Large High Neutral Slight Moderate/ Slight Moderate/Large Large/Very Large Medium Neutral Neutral/Slight Slight Moderate Moderate/Large Low Neutral Neutral/Slight Neutral/Slight Slight Slight/Moderate Negligible Neutral Neutral Neutral/Slight Neutral/Slight Slight Duration of Impact Wind farm developments are reversible in terms of setting impacts and the duration of the impacts are long term with the development proposed to span a thirty-year lifetime (defined as fifteen-sixty years as described in the EPA Guidelines 2002) Consultation Consultation with statutory and non-statutory bodies also took place throughout the process; this took the form of meetings, phone calls and s. Consultation with the following participants was carried out during the environmental impact appraisal: The Built Heritage and Architectural Policy Section and National Monuments Service of the Department of Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht (former Department of Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht) were consulted on the 17 th May 2016 to discuss the Castletownmoor Wind Farm. Consultation with the Department began initially with Greenwire project in 2013 and as part of the Emlagh Wind Farm project (24th of April 2014 and on the 14th of August 2014). Meath Co Co Heritage Officer and Architectural Conservation Officer were consulted on the 17 th June 2014 in relation to the Emlagh Wind Farm. The Castletownmoor Wind Farm EIS scoping document response from Meath Co Co (18 th May 2016) was addressed in this appraisal. Project Design team (Lead Consultants) consultation was carried out throughout the appraisal Landscape and visual consultants carried consultation was carried out throughout the appraisal Existing Environment Archaeological and Historical Background Introduction (All distances referred to in the text are measured from the nearest turbine to the nearest point of the cultural heritage site or established buffer zone/ property boundary if defined). Meath has a rich and well regarded archaeological record; it once formed part of Máigh mbrég (Plain of Brega) and archaeological evidence and monuments that lie in this landscape have indicated that it has been occupied since the prehistoric period. This can be attributed to the fact that the area contained excellent agricultural lands within an accessible low-lying landscape that had navigable river systems. County Meath has a well-documented prehistoric presence with a large number of sites surviving in the landscape; a number of which are considered to be of international importance. Evidence for prehistoric activity in the study area is represented by ritual, assembly and settlement sites. US:/P0177 Page 14 of 51

18 They include the passage tomb cemeteries at Brú na Bóinne in the Boyne Valley and at Loughcrew (c. 17.5km southeast and c. 17km west of the wind farm respectively). County Meath is also well known for the number of Iron Age complexes traditionally associated with royal sites and assembly sites such as the Hill of Tara (c. 20km south southeast of the wind farm), Tlachtga (c. 14km to the south) Tailtin (Teltown) (c. 2.5km to the south), and the Hill of Lloyd (c. 5.4km to the southwest). These sites have been the focus of the Discovery Programme s Late Iron Age and Roman Ireland Project (LIARI) which has targeted these sites using remote sensing technologies of geophysical and LIDAR survey. The results of these surveys are providing a wealth of new information on the sites and also the identification of many new monuments in their vicinity (5) (6) (7). Many of the important prehistoric sites were sited on elevated positions and were used and occupied throughout prehistory and subsequently into the early medieval and medieval periods, showing a continuity of settlement in the landscape. Excavation at Moynagh Lough, located southwest of Nobber (over 5 km north of the wind farm) revealed evidence for activity during the Mesolithic, Early Bronze Age, later Bronze Age and Early Christian periods. Described as a Royal site the excavation at Raffin Fort (c.1.7km to the north northwest of the wind farm) produced settlement and ritual activity dating to the Neolithic, Bronze and the Iron-Ages demonstrating longevity of use of this site and its long association with the landscape and also the sites that developed around it. In a wider landscape context, the study area lies just well outside the Landscape Conservation Area of the Royal site of Tara, in as far as the density of high status sites and complexes on hilltop sites would suggest, incorporating the sites of the Hill of Lloyd, Tailtin (Teltown), Faughan Hill (now destroyed) and Tlaghta located in rolling lands to the south of the wind farm. The Meath landscape and the sites within it also have rich mythological, royal and folkloric associations with pagan Celtic mythology and are regularly mentioned in the early Irish sagas such as the Táin Bó Cúailgne. Settlement continued from the prehistoric period into the early medieval period when the important early monastic settlements of Kells and Nobber were set up around an already established population living in extensive ringfort settlements. During the medieval period the Anglo-Normans gave borough status to Kells, Nobber and the incoming nobles began to assert their claim on the lands through the construction of castles, churches and settlements. The Blackwater was anciently known as Abhainn Séle (8) and its tributaries were the focus of intense settlement in earliest prehistory. It retained its significance into the historical period. Archaeological sites located along their banks attest to the use of the rivers as religious and secular settlement areas, as territorial boundaries, as defensive localities and as fording points. One probable fording point on the Blackwater has been referred to in medieval sources. This fording point of the river, called Áth dá Laarg ( Ford of the Two Forks ), was the site of a battle in AD 937 and is situated in the townlands of Archdeaconry Glebe and Maudlin near Kells. The river valleys attracted eighteenth century demesnes including Williamstown, Headfort, Bloomsbury House. There was also a proliferation of mill sites along the water courses during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries representing a proto-industrial landscape which has left its mark in the form of large fields in the area which were enlarged for arable farming in order to supply the mills with corn Prehistoric Period (circa 7000 BC - AD 400) Archaeological evidence has shown that there has been human ritual and settlement activity in this area since the prehistoric period. The sites dating to the prehistoric period comprise a hillfort, standing stones, fulacht fiadh and mound sites, and a rock art. There is no clear distribution pattern associated with these as they are sporadic, but are located in the lower lying landscape and are adjacent to watercourses. The exception being the excavated Royal site at Raffin was sited just below the summit on a drumlin. Mesolithic (c BC) The transitory hunter-gatherer groups of this period were sustained by the postglacial climate, and attracted to dense woodland cover and a large population of wild fauna. Mesolithic groups predominantly exploited the river valleys, leaving behind them only ephemeral archaeological remains such as shell middens (mounds sometimes referred to as kitchen middens comprising accumulated discarded shells, animal bones, flint implements and sometimes occupation debris) and flint scatter sites. The Moynagh Lough (ME ) excavation, (c. 5km from the proposed wind farm) revealed surprising evidence for activity along the River Dee during the late Mesolithic period, where natural knolls on the site attracted a group of people who used stones, pebbles, twigs and brushwood to formed rough platforms. US:/P0177 Page 15 of 51

19 At the site, knapped implements of both flint and chert flakes, polished stone axeheads, spearheads, hammerstones, polishing stones, a bone point and an elongated wooden object (9) (10) (11) were identified. At the northern edge of the 5m study area in Altmush a Bann flake is recorded to have been found in the vicinity of Whitewood Lake (NMI 1960:612) representing the later Mesolithic. Neolithic (c BC) The Neolithic saw the transition of the early settlers from a hunter-gatherer life-style to a farming economy with the introduction of cattle, sheep, wheat and barley and possibly the introduction of new peoples. This period was characterised by land clearance and the establishment of field systems and settlement sites further inland along river valleys. This period also saw new developments in ritual activity, and the first permanent monuments (megalithic tombs) were built in the Irish landscape, representing a complex and well-structured social hierarchy. There are four classes of tombs namely court tombs, portal tombs, passage tombs and wedge tombs (12) (13) (14) with Meath arguably having a collection of the most outstanding examples of passage tombs at Loughcrew and Brú na Bóinne. There are no megalithic monuments representing ritual activity within 5km of the study area. While the upstanding remains would suggest that there is a dearth of Neolithic sites in the study area excavation has shown that Neolithic settlement and ritual activity in the area is more extensive than previously known. During the rescue excavation of Raffin Fort (ME , c.1.4km to the northwest of the wind farm) a complex multi-phased site with Neolithic, Bronze Age, later Iron Age and Early Medieval evidence was identified. It included a Neolithic house (ME ) site comprising a rectangular timber structure that was radiocarbon dated to c. 3000BC; there was also some evidence for flint knapping (15) (16). Excavations along the M3 Navan Kells in the townlands of Kilmainham, Cookstown Great and Gardenrath to the southeast of Kells identified five Neolithic structures and a possible ritual site was also found in Kilmainham townland comprising a post-built ceremonial timber circle, c. 15 m in diameter and a sub rectangular structure measuring 6.4 m by 2.5 m. High concentrations of burnt bone and stone tools were recovered here and a series of pits, containing pottery, burnt bone and flint, was also excavated. The presence of possible Grooved Ware pottery in adjacent/associated pits suggests that the site dates to the Late Neolithic period (17). Bronze Age (c BC) The Bronze Age is characterised by an introduction of metal and metalwork technology and by a change in burial rites. Replacing the megalithic monuments, Bronze Age burials occurred in simple pits and cists (pits lined with stone flags) and they were sometimes accompanied by pottery or other grave goods. These cists may be placed in tumuli, cairns and barrows or set within natural monuments such as sand ridges or laid in so-called flat cemeteries with no above ground evidence at all. Barrows usually consist of a circular central area, which may be flat or slightly dished (a ring ditch), or domed (a ring barrow), and have an enclosing ditch and occasionally an external bank (18) (12). Mound barrows comprise a circular or oval earthen or earth and stone mound usually with no external features. Barrows generally date to the Bronze and Iron Ages (c BC - AD 400). Bronze Age burials that have been excavated during the last century include some found in cists (pits lined with stone flags) or in flat cemeteries, some of which were accompanied by pottery or other grave goods. There are two mound barrow sties (ME and ME ) in Gravelstown, to the west of the wind farm. RMP site ME is a high circular mound (diam. 30m, H 6m) surrounded by modern drystonebuilt revetment and planted with trees while ME is an oval mound that is badly quarried in its centre (dims. 22m N-S, 17m E-W, max. present H 2.5m). These site types generally have a riverine distribution and the examples here lie adjacent to streams, c.1.2km apart with the N52 in between. To the southeast of Kells in Kilmainham there is an unclassified Barrow (ME ) also in a low-lying situation and another to the northwest of Moynalty (ME ). Further afield there is a mound barrow at Hurdlestown (ME ). To the east of the wind farm (over 10km), on Sliabh Breagh in the Rathkenny Hills there is a highly concentrated barrow cemetery complex located along the western edge of the crest of the hill in the townland of Rathbranchurch and Creewood. The complex includes 27 recorded unclassified barrow sites, all located above the 200m contour line (19); it also includes six house sites and two hut sites. Early Bronze Age occupation activity was excavated in Moynagh Lough where two houses were identified with a possible enclosing palisade; a radiocarbon date of 1580 Cal. BC was given for the occupation layer. Sherds of decorated cordoned pottery, rounded scrapers, pointed bone objects and saddle quern fragments were identified. US:/P0177 Page 16 of 51