The Environment
- Introduction
- Landscape
- the Water Environment
- Agriculture
- Forestry
- Extractive Industry
- Waste Management
- Built Environment
- Open Space & Recreation
- Conservation, Heritage & Culture
4.4 Policy on Forestry
There are approximately 26,000 ha of land taken up by forestry. Coillte own over 75% of the forestry land in the County while the remaining 25% is in private ownership. Coillte has now adopted a new planning layer - Forest Management Units (FMUs) that include both social and environmental objectives. There are three FMUs in the County
- The Mid Tipp/Rossmore Plateau with 4,080 ha of Coillte forest and 2,883 ha of non Coillte forest extends into South Tipperary where there is a further 11,294 ha of forest;
- The Slieve Felims/Devils Bit has 13,074 ha of Coillte forest and 4,645 ha of non-Coillte forest;
- The East Galway FMU extends into North Tipperary where there is 256 ha of Coillte forest and 688 ha of non-Coillte forest; and
- The Midlands FMU also extends into North Tipperary where there is 97 ha of Coillte forest and 223 ha of non-Coillte forest.
Since the 1998 plan was adopted there has been a significant increase in the amount of planting, particularly on marginal land. The overall effect of this development is to significantly alter the visual appearance of the landscape. Forestry can, however, have a negative impact on residential amenities where watercourses are affected.
The Council will encourage forestry in a manner that is in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area. As initial afforestation is now exempt under Class 15, Part 3, Schedule 1 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, the Council shall, through its consultative role, seek to implement the following guidelines:
- The use of geometric shapes, particularly on uplands, shall be avoided;
- The aerial fertilisation of forests should only be carried out following consultation with the Local Authority.
- The edge of the afforestation shall relate to landscape features and not to contours or straight lines;
- Variety of species is important and a minimum of 30% hardwood should be incorporated;
- The convergence of forest edge and the skyline shall be avoided;
- Afforestation shall be set back from roads and not impact on distant or protected views;
- An assessment shall be carried out on the potential impacts on adjacent or nearby watercourses;
- Proposed afforestation that has a negative impact on a protected view or scenic area will not be supported.
Policy ENV 15: Forestry
It is the policy of the Council to monitor forestry against impacts on the following:
- scenic areas and elevated landscapes in primary amenity areas;
- areas of best agricultural land;
- environmentally designated sites;
- marginal land with high biodiversity.
The Council shall consult with Coillte, landowners, and local interest groups in order to encourage the development of forest parks and access to forest amenity areas.
Specific Forestry Objective
F1. It is an objective of the Council to prepare an Indicative Forestry Management Strategy in conjunction with the Forestry Service.
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