Written answers
Thursday, 24 November 2022
Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government
Legislative Measures
Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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185. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the present position on the change in legislation required to remove the requirement for planning permission when replacing dead and dying diseased Ash plantations with conifers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58611/22]
Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Work on the amendment of existing planning exemptions for the replacement of broadleaf high forest with conifer species is continuing. Draft regulations have been prepared and have been submitted for environmental screening, as required by the Strategic Environment Assessment Directive and Habitats Directive.
A Strategic Environment Assessment screening report has been prepared and the statutory consultation process in respect of that screening report has concluded with no changes required to the legislation. An Appropriate Assessment screening process is currently being undertaken by the Ecological Assessment Unit.
It is envisaged that the legislation will be commenced in the near future, pending the outcome of the Environmental screening processes.
In the interim, it should be noted that it is still open to individuals to apply for planning consent for the replacement of broadleaf high forest with conifer species.
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