Opposition to plans for grazing on beach dunes

Opposition to plans for grazing on beach dunes

3 March 2021

PLANS to allow cattle to graze in a seafront area of special scientific interest are being opposed by two local politicians who have asked for the proposal to be put on hold.

Rowallane councillor Patrick Brown and Downpatrick area councillor Cadogan Enright have voiced opposition to a joint venture by the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and Newry, Mourne and Down Council to allow cattle to graze in the dune system in the Tyrella and Minerstown areas.

They say residents have been made aware that in an attempt to improve the habitat of the dune system, various steps will be taken including the removal of scrub and sea buckthorn, alongside the erection of new stock proof fencing and the installation of water drinkers for cattle and a cattle corral. 

The local councillors met recently with residents at one of the proposed sites and in the wake of the concerns that were expressed, have submitted a formal request for all works to be halted immediately and reconsidered to address the local community’s concerns. 

Cllr Brown revealed that one of the key worries about the proposals is the impact it will have on the Irish Lizard and Smooth Newt, Northern Ireland’s only newt species which lives in the freshwater pond system and is currently getting ready to spawn.

“If these plans go ahead, there will need to be sufficient protection given to ensure that grazing did not intrude on the pond system, destroying the natural habitat of these two species,” he continued.

“Additionally, it is argued that the buckthorn may rapidly spread, which is why it needs to be removed. However, only the female species of buckthorn exists in Northern Ireland and so concerns of this taking over are exaggerated and unfounded.”

Cllr Brown said the area containing the buckthorn proposed to be grazed is a natural habitat for many hedgehogs and badgers which will be disrupted and possibly displaced by the proposed grazing.

He also said residents are concerned about badger baiting in the area which they fear will be made easier when sets are exposed due to the removal of natural grasses.

“There are also issues around property disputes and Cllr Enright and I feel strongly that Newry, Mourne and Down Council should not be erecting fences until ownership of the property has been established,” continued Cllr Brown.

He added: “Moreover, the money being spent on this scheme would be much better used to protect the dune-front from erosion using the same beach restoration strategies deployed in Ballyhornan. We would suggest this is a much better use of ratepayer’s money and urge DAERA and the council to utilise these other beach restoration strategies instead.”

Cllr Enright argued that grazing cattle will cause “severe degradation” of natural dunes which far outweighs the minimal risk from any invasive species, suggesting that the current proposals will severely impact on the coastal landscape. 

“Permitting grazing at the seafront facing part of the dunes will only accelerate the massive loss of dunes due to unprotected footfall from thousands of people every year, as has been seen at sites such as Ballyhornan,” he contended.

“It is vital that Lyme, sand scutch and marram grasses that form the dunes are protected from footfall as they don’t regrow after the second or third time their underground growing tips are walked upon.”

Cllr Enright said that while there is a need to enclose parts of the dunes to combat erosion caused by human footfall and littering, he and Cllr Brown question the decision to use barbed wire given the large number of children and animals that visit the area.

He added: “Newry, Mourne and Down Council should provide visitors with clear messaging around what parts of the beach they can walk on,and if wire has to be used, it should be sheep wire.”