Leitrim County Council has introduced an additional grant to encourage the cutting of dangerous overhanging tree canopies/branches along public roads, with a total of €125/km now available.
The new €50/km grant comes in addition to the €75/km grant for roadside hedge/overhanging trees which are cut back, with a minimum length of road network per application of 1km.
Hedge cutting is now underway throughout the country, with landowners permitted to cut hedges between September 1 and February 28. A ban on burning agricultural green waste is now also in effect.
The closing date for applications to the Hedge Cutting Grant Scheme 2024/2025 operated by Leitrim County Council is Friday, January 31, 2025. The scheme is open to individual applicants, communities and groups.
The council reminded all landowners and occupiers, under the terms of the Roads Act, 1993, that it is their legal responsibility to carry out any necessary tree or hedge cutting where their land or property abuts a public road.
The Community Hedge Cutting Grant Scheme operated by Clare County Council will also remain open for applications until Monday, September 30. A grant of €50/km is available with a minimum length of 5km per application.
Cutting hedges
An Garda Síochána has reminded road users to drive with care and remain alert at all times as there will be an increase in large machinery operating along roadsides over the coming weeks, particularly country roads.
Section 40 of the Wildlife Act 1976 prohibits the cutting, grubbing, burning or other destruction of vegetation growing on “any land not then cultivated” between March 1 and August 31 annually.
The legislation, however, allows for some exemptions. For businesses, landowners and the general public the most notable of these exemptions are:
- The destruction, in the ordinary course of agriculture or forestry, of any vegetation growing on or in any hedge or ditch.
- In the act, “agriculture” is defined as including horticulture. Since horticulture includes gardening, the summertime trimming of hedges in the ordinary course of gardening falls under this exemption;
- The clearance of vegetation in the course of road or other construction works or in the development or preparation of sites on which any building or other structure is intended to be provided;
- The felling, cutting, lopping, trimming or removal of a tree, shrub, hedge or other vegetation pursuant to section 70 of the Roads Act 1993.
The phrase “the ordinary course of agriculture” is not specifically defined in the act, and its interpretation is a matter for the courts, according to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
The purpose of this provision is to ensure that farmers, landowners and foresters are not prevented from carrying out tasks necessary for their work, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) said.