ERA21/22-06, 07, 10 and FL2021/22-31

Overview

Environmental Impact Assessment

Forest Service, an Agency of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs has provided opinions on the following projects in respect of the Environmental Impact Assessment (Forestry) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (as amended).

An opinion under the Regulations is formed taking account of the selection criteria specified in the legislation. An opinion may be ‘relevant’ if it is considered that a project is likely to have a significant effect on the environment or ‘not relevant’ if a project is considered unlikely to have a significant effect on the environment. Each project is required to comply with the UK Forestry Standard, which describes the governments’ approach to sustainable forestry.

Reference                 ERA21/22-06

Project Type              Afforestation

Location                     Knockbracken, Belfast

Grid Reference         J 35505 67275

Area                            0.42 hectares

Project Description  Planting of native woodland on grassland

Opinion                      Not relevant

Priority habitats will not be affected by this proposal. Only native tree species will be planted and the creation of this woodland will extend the area of recently planted native woodland at this location.

Reference                 ERA21/22-07

Project Type              Deforestation

Location                     Dunhugh Golf Course, Prehen

Grid Reference         C 41810 13443

Area                            1.24ha

Project Description  Removal of conifers

Opinion                      Not relevant

Priority habitats will not be affected by this small scale project. Woodland removal is restricted to three conifer blocks consisting of un-thinned Norway Spruce.

Reference                 FL2021/22-31

Project Type              Deforestation

Location                     Ranaghan, Maghera

Grid Reference         C 80678 02507

Area                            0.53ha

Project Description  Removal of conifers

Opinion                      Not relevant

No priority habitats or features of cultural interest will be affected by this project. The three geometrically shaped conifer blocks were of low landscape value.

Departmental project

Reference                 ERA2021/22-10

Project Type              Deforestation

Location                     Braetown, Glenwherry

Grid Reference         D 28369 01690

Area                            2.14ha

Project Description  Removal of planted conifers and to restore this area to blanket bog habitat

The Department does not intend to prepare an environmental statement.