Forestry has become a "blight" in some parts of Mayo

There are concerns that forestry developments are being granted planning permission without the usual protocols that apply to other applicants.

Fine Gael councillor Jarlath Munnelly asked Mayo County Council to clarify the protocols for the planning office regarding making a submission or commentary on forestry applications.

Specifically, if Mayo County Council is notified about all applications for new forestry applications in the county and what applications do Mayo County Council make submissions or commentary on.

The local authority said it receives consultee requests from the Department of Agriculture in relation to forestry licence applications. Mayo County Council may make observations on landscape sensitivity, amenity or other grounds. 

The council carries out a desk-based assessment of the proposed development and where warranted a site visit may be carried out and report submitted to the Department.

Cllr Munnelly fears forestry applications are being allowed to get through without adequate oversight.

He told a meeting of Mayo County Council that forestry has become a “blight” in certain parts of the county.

“In some of these locations if you were to apply for planning permission for a house you would have to jump through hoops,” said Cllr Munnelly.

“I would like to see all forestry applications get the scrutiny of the planning section. It’s not good enough that forestry applications are being decided upon by the Departmentr of Forestry,” he added.

He said changes should be made at Government and department levels and that it should be mandatory that forestry applications would require the consent of local planning authorities.

Cllr Munnelly received the support of his fellow councillors on the issue.

"This is a typical example again of what's being done from the top down," said Independent councillor Patsy O'Brien.

He said the local authority have been omitted from the process in order to fast-track forestry developments.

"This is a typical example of a two-tier system," said Cllr O'Brien.

"It's absolutely disgraceful," he added.