The habitat areas contained herein have been derived using the best available desktop information at the time of plan preparation in addition to field survey. This includes OSNI orthos and condition assessment data and reports 2007-2013.

Tellus data from GSNI was used to aid H7130 blanket bog classification.

Cutover peat areas identified through survey notes and aerial photography were also classified as H7130.

Annex 1 Alluvial woodland H91E0 around the lakes split out from Annex 1 Oakwood H91A0.

Mosaic habitats of H4030/H4010 and H7130/H4010 were included in the classification system. These classifications are included where habitat types were not distinctive and interpreted as a mosaic of multiple habitat types.

JNCC and Interpretation Manual of European Union Habitats was utilised for the classification of H91D0 . 'Long-term stable combinations with bog vegetation' were included as H91D0 and 'Secondary birch woodland on degraded bogs, and woodland encroachment resulting from falling water tables, are excluded from the Annex 1 definition' were excluded from H91D0.

Areas of heath with woodland patches have been classified as 91A0 in accordance with the JNCC which cites that birch can be a dominating canopy species for this annex habitat.

Field Surveys were carried out on site in June 2019 and corrected to OSNI Orthophotography by desk based study. This site was mapped by Arup. Site visits were conducted by NIEA post-map production to ground truth a proportion of the mapping.

The habitat map was created at 1:1,000 scale and mapped to Phase 1, EUNIS and Annex 1, where appropriate.

It is intended that this map will be reviewed as required. This version was completed on 21 March 2023.

For more information on Annex 1 codes in the UK please see the following website - https://sac.jncc.gov.uk/habitat/