Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 April 2023
446. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if rotten ash trees on plantations under 10 ha in size require planning permission when replanted with commercial conifers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19195/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Departmental Housing, Local Government and Heritage introduced a legislative change in the Planning and Development Regulations on 14th December 2022, which removes the requirement for planning permission for projects less than 10ha in size that involve the replacement of broadleaf high forest with conifer species, where the project is licensed or approved by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
This legislative change is a welcome development and will simplify the assessment process to a single consent approach operated by my Department. The requirement for projects to be screened by DAFM for sub-threshold Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Appropriate Assessment (AA) remains in place.
