Mayo fencing project rejected over Machair habitat concerns

THE construction of a post and wire stockproof fence together with access gates on lands at Tontanvally in Achill has been refused planning permission by An Bord Pleanála.

Mayo County Council gave the project the go ahead, but that decision was subsequently appealed by the Development Applications Unit of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.

It was argued that the proposed development could affect the habitat of Machairs and affect the habitat of the Dunlin, a species listed in Annex I of the EU Birds Directive.

The appeal site comprises marginal agricultural land at the northernmost peninsula of Achill Island.

In response to the appeal, the applicant said that having acquired the field he became aware of a resident bryophyte population despite severe overgrazing by cattle.

The fencing was to be completed so that grazing could be managed and the bryophytes would be allowed to recover and thrive within the SAC.

They had retained the services of an ecologist and leading expert on bryophytes in order to protect these rare plants and were trying to do the right thing for the environment.

However, the appeals board found against them and refused planning permission.

In its order it was not satisfied that the development, individually or in combination with other plans or projects, would not adversely affect the integrity of the Doogort/Machair SPA and Doogort/Machair/Lough Doo SAC.

This conclusion was based on concerns that the fencing would be located within a Machair habitat, which is one of the few remaining habitats not affected by fence enclosure.

It was further considered that the introduction of additional fencing posts could provide perching posts for avian predators, which would pose a significant threat to the Dunlin breeding habitat.