2360

For a ten-year planning permission consisting of: I.) The felling/removal of some 343 hectares of conifer plantation for the purposes of peatland restoration and the establishment of native woodland. ii.) Measures to restore and rehabilitate approximately 281 hectares of Atlantic blanket bog and heathland that is currently planted with lodgepole pine and Sitka spruce forests and managed for commercial forestry. iii.) Conversion of 62 hectares of conifer forestry to native woodland. iv.) Main peatland restoration measures will include tree removal, drain blocking (manual and mechanical) and ground reprofiling. v.) The control of existing invasive species on site and continued control during the restoration works to prevent their spread. vi.) Drain-blocking all existing artificial drainage and artificial land drains currently existing within the peatland restoration areas in order to restore the high water table which is necessary for blanket bog growth. vii.) Provision of silt traps at outflows to block the pathway to the Twelve Bens/Garraun Complex Special Area of Conservation. viii.) Deer fencing to protect 62 hectares of proposed native woodland. ix.) Provision of a Harvest Management Phasing Plan for the proposed project. x.) Provision of new internal access road extending to 1.58 km. xi.) Across the site there will be 4 no. temporary water-crossings constructed in order to acilitate the harvesting of the timber at the site. xii.) Provision of informational signage. xiii.) Resurfacing of up to 8.23 km of existing forestry roads. xiv.) Resurfacing of existing car park to facilitate public access. xv.) Installation of water monitoring stations for real time water monitoring during operations. xvi.) Cutting of roadside trees to improved sightline visibility at site entrance. xvii.) The application is supported by an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and a Natura Impact Statement (NIS)