Planning Permission for all Forestry Plantations over five hectares?
DEPUTY Martin Kenny has introduced a bill to the Dáil which will require planning permission for all forestry plantations of over five hectares. The present situation is that planning only required for plantations over fifty hectares. The proposal relates to section 22 of the Forestry Act 2014, which deals with applications for an afforestation licence.
The amendment is to insert this new short section: “22A (1) The Minister shall introduce regulations providing for a requirement, for The Applicant to secure a grant of planning permission, from the relevant local authority, for all forestry developments over five hectares, before a licence pursuant to section 22 is granted. (2) The Minister may introduce such regulations as are necessary, incidental, supplementary or consequential for the purposes of giving effect to this section.”
Deputy Kenny told the Dáil, “Planting and growing trees is generally a public good which enhances the environment, however like all developments it needs to be regulated properly. For many years local authorities have been struggling with forestry as the trees grow close to local roads and the extraction of heavy loads of timber causes damage to the roads structure. It over thirty ago that Leitrim county council passed the first of many motions calling for better regulation of forestry and for planning requirements to part of the regulations. I must add that these motions have been supported by all parties and independents, as rural local representatives from all over the country are aware of the social and environmental problems associated with large scale afforestation.
There are many complex issues involved, but mainly the permanent change of land use that forestry brings is having an impact on the communities and the visual impact of dark silka spruce forests.
The model of forestry which has been developed in Ireland is not the best for the land, for the environment, for the people or for the economy long term.”
“I expect the introduction of this bill will open up the debate on land use and biodiversity and the concentration of forestry in some areas to the detriment of the landscape and community life. I hope this bill will get support for all quarters as the calls for regulations come from across the community.”