Local GAA club among objectors to controversial north Mayo forestry plantation
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has granted permission for a 12.66-hectare forestry plantation consisting of 80pc sitka spruce and 20pc broadleaf at Carrownisky, Ballycastle.
There has been widespread public opposition to the proposal, with public demonstrations and public meetings taking place there in recent days.
A public meeting on Saturday heard calls for the development to be halted immediately and for a meeting with Coillte or the relevant government minister to resolve the matter.
Local county councillor Jarlath Munnelly said there was 'a lot of concern' in the locality about the project.
Cllr Munnelly said that locals were not against forestry but were strongly opposed to it being located near the GAA grounds and several houses.
'This is land that is suitable for farming, this is land that is not suitable for forestry,' the Fine Gael councillor told Midwest Radio.
The Department of Agriculture's Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC) reinstated the forestry license on December 24, 2024 after considering three appeals. Planting of the site has already commenced, and the contractor is currently not on site.
Thirteen submissions were made regarding the forestry license in 2022 prior to its approval.
One of these submissions was from Ballycastle, whose grounds are located beside the proposed site.
Eilis Ormsby, Chairperson of Ballycastle GAA Club, said the development could damage their training grounds due to potential flooding.
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The club, which competes in the Mayo Junior Championship, opened new a new clubhouse at Tom Langan Park in 2022.
Ms Ormsby said the applicant had given 'undue regard' to the aesthetic impact on the clubhouse viewing area and the loss of natural light to the adjoining pitches.
She warned that the development could potentially increase the club's insurance costs due to the risk of fire and flooding.
'The proposed afforestation would be an ideal habitat for wild animals such as foxes, deer and badgers, who are known transmitters of disease i.e., TB and as a habitat for deer could cause damaged to boundary fence and damage to our ground,' she added.
Ms Conway concluded by saying that the club were 'very disappointed' that that they were not consulted with prior to the application being submitted to the Department of Agriculture.
The appeals against the license listed various other concerns, including an increased number of midges, traffic issues, sediment runoff into a nearby river and the existing wet grassland being home to the marsh fritillary, a protected species of butterfly.
Addressing these concerns, the Forestry Appeals Committee said that herbicide would be applied by ''spot spraying' thus not allowing any of the herbicide to become airborne and effecting air quality'.
'The site is stated to be improved agriculture land and DAFM do not consider afforestation on this land type to increase fire risk. It is stated that there is no evidence that an increase in biodiversity and wildlife will have an adverse effect on the farming community. The proposed project area is stated to be to the east of the Wild Atlantic Way thus not hindering any views,' it continued.
The FAC said there would no increased flood risk for the GAA club as the development is located upstream from the club grounds.
Road safety matters were said to be a matter for Mayo County Council and An Garda Síochána. The application was referred to Mayo County Council and no response was received.
It was noted that the site fronts onto a public road and the level of traffic generated by the project would 'not be greater than current agricultural practice'.
The matter was raised in the Seanad this week by Ballina-based Senator Mark Duffy, who called on Minister of State with special responsibility for forestry, Michael Healy-Rae, to meet the community to discuss the issue further.
'Communities like Ballycastle on the western seaboard and the Wild Atlantic Way have been decimated by depopulation but have very gracefully welcomed international protection applicants within the community and are trying to lead the regeneration of buildings and make them better places for emigrants to return to. Measures like this fly in the face of a community that is trying to lead strong regeneration,' said Senator Duffy.
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