Forestry applications in Mayo should require council planning consent

APPLICATIONS for forestry should need the consent of council planners.

That's the view of elected representatives in Mayo.

At the moment it is the Department of Forestry who make decisions on applications.

The impact of plantations on communities was raised by Councillor Jarlath Munnelly who sought clarity on forestry applications: Is Mayo County Council notified about them all, and what applications do they make submissions or commentary on?

He was told the council receives consultee requests from the Department of Agriculture on applications for afforestation, tree felling, forest roads and native woodland conservation schemes.

As a consultee, the local authority may make observations on landscape sensitivity, amenity or other grounds. After a desk-based assessment against planning constraints in the county development plan, an opinion may be provided on potential visual impact. Where necessary, this can also involve site visits.

Councillor Munnelly said forestry is increasing across the county, with big plantations, many of which are funded by pension funds, trying to lease anywhere they can, aided by government policy.

They come close to people's boundaries in some cases, in areas where if you want to build a house you have to go through the hoops to get planning permission from the council. Yet forestry is decided by the department.

What were they going to do about this?

He wanted to see all forestry applications being scrutinised by the planning section of the council.

Councillor Munnelly also wanted them to write to the minister to make changes: It should be mandatory that any application for forestry needs the consent of the planning authority.

Councillor Michael Kilcoyne blamed forestry plantations for electricity blackouts, with trees being knocked in storms.

As a planning authority they should be insisting no trees are planted within a certain distance of an ESB or eircom line.

It beggars belief that the council have no say, commented Councillor Ger Deere. He spoke about the community outside Balla a few years ago where there were plans to plant up to their doorsteps.

He highlighted the plight of 28 householders outside Castlebar who lose power any time there is a puff of wind, all due to powerlines going through forestry.

Forest fires in the context of change were another consideration and they have to have some kind of say.

Roads being destroyed where foresty is extracted is another issue, he added.

Director of services Catherine McConnell said forestry developments which would previously have come before the council for consent are now exempted development.

The ones that come before them are for observations only regarding the county development plan.

They are assessed but as they are mostly exempted development the council has no control over what they can do.