TWO separate investigations are being carried out – by the Department of Agriculture and gardaí – into the felling of trees, allegedly without permission, at a site in Coachford village two weeks ago.
The woodland village site known locally as the ‘Spinny’, which is owned by TFT Construction, had been earmarked for a 45-homes and apartment development by the company.
Cork County Council refused planning permission for the development, and An Bord Pleanála recently upheld their decision.
The planning body said the proposed development by reason of its site, strategy, scale, layout and urban form would be out of character with the existing pattern of development in this area.
It was also refused planning due to the adverse effects the development would have on the ecological and biodiversity of the site, and the loss of the riparian woodland and because of fears that the culverting of the stream would fail to protect the ecological corridors and habitats of the area.
However, since the decision was made, workmen and diggers attended the site on Saturday, February 22nd and cleared it of trees, much to the upset of some locals in the village.
The riparian woodland and the majority of trees on the site were felled.
Local Michael Quane told The Southern Star that the felling of the trees on site started at 8am that morning. He described it as ‘appalling’ and ‘performative violence.’
‘This is certainly a two-fingers to Cork County Council, An Bord Pleanála, the Department of Agriculture and the people within the community,’ he claimed. ‘People are really angry about this but some are reticent to speak out.’
He is calling for a burden to be put on the land by the Department of Agriculture with the aim of re-instating the woodland once investigations are carried out by them.
‘The riparian woodland has stood in its incarnation for 60 years or more. It is a wetland woodland which has a particular habitat importance.’
A spokesperson for Aghabullogue, Coachford and Rylane Community Council said that the unfortunate timing of the removal of trees on the site will adversely affect the activities of the local wildlife.
‘Nesting, unfortunately, no longer seems viable on the site,’ they said.
A Garda spokesperson said they were alerted to an incident of alleged tree felling without permission on Saturday February 22nd last.
‘The forestry services have also been alerted and the investigation is ongoing.’
A spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture told The Southern Star that they are aware of the incident and it is under investigation.
‘It is open to the Department to prosecute if it decides that an offence has been committed contrary to the provisions of the Forestry Act, 2014.’
The spokesperson added that for incidents such as these, the Department has an ‘alleged illegal forestry’ section, which can be contacted where a member of the public is concerned. They can be contacted at [email protected].
A spokesperson for TFT Construction Ltd told The Southern Star that they had ‘no comment’ to make on the allegations.
