Environment Minister John Gormley has moved to allay farmers' and landowners' concerns that the presence of the protected bird of prey, the Hen Harrier will not be cited as grounds by his department for the refusal of planning permission for one-off homes.
Last year he announced 169,000 hectares of land are to be designated Special Protection Areas for the protection of the Hen Harrier.
The NPWS states "the main threat to the long-term survival of Hen Harriers within the site is further afforestation".
The designation affects 5,500 farmers and landowners in six sites in counties Kerry, Cork, Limerick, Laois, Offaly, Monaghan, Tipperary, Galway and Clare.
The largest SPA is located in the north-east Clare-south Galway area in the Slieve Aughty mountains and involves the designation of 61,000 hectares where the National Parks and Wildlife Service believe 24 pairs of Hen Harrier are present or 17% of the overall Hen Harrier population in Ireland of 130-150 pairs.
The NPWS states "the main threat to the long-term survival of Hen Harriers within the site is further afforestation".
In a letter to Clare County Manager, Alec Fleming, the Director of NWPS, Oonagh Buckley stated she has been directed by Mr Gormley to advise the council "where the Hen Harrier is the sole conservation interest in the SPA, the SPA designation should not be cited as grounds for refusing permission for development of single rural houses within the SPA".
She said scientific advice suggests the development of single rural dwellings does not represent a threat to the bird.
Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) states there are fears the SPA restriction will result in the devaluation of properties and negatively affect farming practices.
Landowners wishing to object to the SPA designations have until February 8 to do so.
Gordon Doogan
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
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