COMMUNITY WOODLANDS
To support the establishment of community woodlands
and
forests around centres of population throughout Northern
Ireland.
Northern Ireland is sparsely wooded in comparison with
other parts of the British Isles and Europe. Most of the existing
forests have been established on hill ground, with the greatest
concentration in Fermanagh and Tyrone. In recent years, however,
there has been a tendency for new planting to move down to better
quality agricultural land.
There are particular opportunities to enhance the environmental
quality of many of our urban centres by the development of new areas
of woodlands in or close to the settlements. Such woodlands can
fulfil many functions - environmental enhancement, provision of
recreational facilities, creation of new wildlife habitats,
production of timber, employment creation and the creation of "green
lungs" for the urban area. Woodlands are also considered to be an
important element in farm diversification schemes.
The Department of the Environment and the Department of Agriculture
are promoting the creation of "Community Woodlands" near our towns
and cities for the benefit of the whole community. Grant aid is
currently available to eligible schemes through the Forest Service
of the Department of Agriculture. The involvement and support of
local communities is a vital element in the success of such
initiatives. General locations may be identified in development
plans where the provision of such woodlands would be acceptable,
taking into account factors such as:
- opportunities to restore degraded
or derelict landscapes;
- opportunities for significant
environmental improvement including the improvement of the setting
of settlements;
- the need for additional urban
recreational space;
- opportunity to screen unsightly
development; and
- opportunities to enhance existing
natural features, scenic routes or recreational and tourist
facilities.
- Woodlands close to settlements can
enhance the quality of the environment - Killynether, Scrabo.
Planning permission is not required for the change
of use of land to woodland. Buildings and other operations requisite
for forestry purposes are permitted under the Planning (General
Development) Order. Buildings for recreation, tourism, interpretive
purposes or similar uses within an urban forest will require the
grant of planning permission. Permission will normally be granted
for such buildings unless the development would result in a loss of
visual or residential amenity, give rise to traffic generation or
road safety problems or adversely affect areas of nature
conservation interest or the man-made heritage. |