Project description: Creation of a native woodland Reference ERA21/22-33
Location : Annalong Wood, Annalong Area : 30.76 hectares Grid ref : J 34156 23727
Forest Service, an Agency of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs previously provided an opinion on an afforestation project of 62.5 hectares in respect of the Environmental Impact Assessment (Forestry) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (as amended). It was concluded that the project was a relevant project due to its likely significant effect on the environment arising from its possible impact on lowland heathland, an Annex 1 habitat which is protected under the Habitats Directive. An application for consent is required before a relevant project can proceed. This is achieved through the preparation of an environmental statement addressing any issue of concern. An environmental statement has now been submitted for Annalong Wood and is based on a proposal to plant a reduced area of 30.76 hectares.
The Department is now consulting on the additional information provided and will consider all responses before deciding whether to grant consent. Consent will be given in the absence of any objection in relation to the likely environmental effects of the project and if the Department’s assessment of the environmental information and the direct and indirect effects of the proposal on the environment concludes that the project should proceed.
Any person wishing to comment on the likely environmental effects of the above project may do so in writing by 18 April 2022 or by emailing forest.regulation@daera-ni.gov.uk.
If you cannot access this information, please contact Policy and Regulation Branch at 028 6634 3124 or by emailing forest.regulation@daera-ni.gov.uk.