Forestry planning
The Forest Service manages 75,000 hectares of forest land on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. Forests are managed in a sustainable way, to provide a balance of social, environmental and economic benefits for the people in Northern Ireland.
Forestry Planning facilitates the delivery of the many different services our forests and woodlands provide, such as sustainable wood production, carbon sequestration, biodiversity, and recreational opportunities. Reviewing forest plans from time to time ensures that they are up to date and ensures that forests can continue to meet the diverse and sometimes competing needs of people, wildlife, and wood processing industries.
Forestry Planning Process
For the purposes of forestry planning Northern Ireland is divided into eight Forestry Planning Areas, FPAs. As part of the review of forest plans for each FPA three documents are published.
Firstly, a scoping document is published for public consultation. This outlines the opportunities, outcomes and benefits that can result from the planning review.
Secondly, ‘What people told us’ is published; this is a summary of stakeholder comments received.
Thirdly, the agreed plans are published as an interactive experience. Each one is a combination of interactive maps, images and informative text, designed to give you a clearer understanding of how our forests are managed.
More information in relation to forestry planning can be viewed via the following links.
- Forestry Planning Areas and Forest Landscape Units map 2018
- Easy Read version - Finding out what the best plan is for Northern Ireland forests and woodland
- Forestry Planning - Interactive Guide to Forestry Planning
Published information in relation to each FPA can be viewed via the links below.
Sperrin Forestry Planning Area
- Scoping a new forestry plan for forests and woodland in Sperrin
- What people told us - Scoping a new forestry plan for forests and woodland in Sperrin
- Sperrin Forest Plan
Antrim Forestry Planning Area
- Scoping a new forestry plan for forests and woodland in Antrim
- What people told us - Scoping a new forestry plan for forests and woodland in Antrim
- Antrim Forest Plan
North West Forestry Planning Area
- Scoping a new forestry plan for forests and woodland in the North West
- What people told us - Scoping a new forestry plan for forests and woodland in the North West
- North West Forest Plan
West Tyrone Forestry Planning Area
- Scoping a new forestry plan for forests and woodland in West Tyrone
- What people told us - Scoping a new forestry plan for forests and woodland in West Tyrone
- West Tyrone Forest Plan
East Fermanagh / East Tyrone Forestry planning Area
- Scoping a new forestry plan for forests and woodland in East Fermanagh/East Tyrone
- What people told us - Scoping a new forestry plan for forests and woodland in East Fermanagh/East Tyrone
- East Fermanagh/East Tyrone Plan - Interactive forest plan
Armagh Forestry Planning Area
- Scoping a new forestry plan for forests and woodland in Armagh
- What people told us - Scoping a new forestry plan for forests and woodland in Armagh
- Armagh Forest Plan - Interactive forest plan
West Fermanagh Forestry Planning Area
- Scoping a new forestry plan for forests and woodland in West Fermanagh
- What people told us - Scoping a new forestry plan for forests and woodland in West Fermanagh
- West Fermanagh Forest Plan - Interactive forest plan
Down Forestry Planning Area
- Scoping a new forestry plan for forests and woodland in Down
- What people told us - Scoping a new forestry plan for forests and woodland in Down
- Down Forest Plan Storymap to be published in 2025. For any enquiries email forestry.planning@daera-ni.gov.uk
- The current plan can be viewed via Down Management Plan 2015