Mayo community shouts 'STOP' to major forestry proposal

More than 240 people have signed a petition objecting to plans by a forestry company to plant 14.62 hectares (36.12 acres) at Craggagh, between Kiltimagh and Balla.

The application by Woodland Invest has been made under the Forestry Act to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Amongst other concerns, objectors highlight loss of light to homes, increased wildlife encounters, devaluation of their properties and the threat of forest fires adjacent to residential and national school areas.

In their petition the objectors stated: “Commercial forestry is now dominating this area against the wishes of the local community.

“The amount and type of forest cover in this area is (already) a significant issue to the local community and this project adds further to our concerns

“More than 50 per cent of this townland has already been planted and we believe this is beyond the recommended government’s national average. There is now a solid block of forestry of well over 200 ha to which this proposed project is adding. When is enough?”

Objectors say their area was known for its scenic beauty and open high nature value countryside which was a haven for birds and wildlife but due to the ‘intense afforestation all this is disappearing’.

Also, residents claim that due to the increase in afforestation they are witnessing large migration of wild deer, making laneways and roads dangerous, especially at night.

Petitioners also point to the fact that a children’s burial ground (cilllin) is located within the area earmarked for afforestation.

They ask: “What access is being provided for families within this application?

“The graveyard situated within this land in question is not merely a piece of land but a repository of our local history, heritage and cultural identity.

“We urge the planning committee to explore alternative locations for the proposed development that do not involve desecrating a graveyard.

“Preserving our cultural heritage should be a priority, and alternative sites should be considered to meet the project's objectives without compromising the sanctity of the graveyard.”

The objectors say the project will have direct impact on family homes and their value and the local national school and community centre will face closure as families will have no land on which to construct new homes.

They ask: “Why is it that we are not allowed planning on elevated sites or houses that interfere with our view but we still can allow afforestation developments that will not just block our view but will completely isolate our community and cover our homes in darkness.

“If a parish wants to try to keep a school open, the goal is to limit the number of farms sold and planted so that people can actually live there.”

Concluding their petition the objectors state: “The scale of this planting is having a damaging effect on our communities, on our mental health and what are these investors giving back to our community?”