Coillte has today (Friday, May 23) welcomed a decision by Galway County Council to grant planning permission for its proposed peatland redesign project at Derryclare, Co. Galway.

The state-owned forestry company had applied for a ten-year development consisting of the felling of some 343ha of conifer plantation for the purposes of peatland restoration and the establishment of native woodland.

The development includes measures to restore and rehabilitate approximately 281ha of Atlantic blanket bog and heathland that is currently planted with lodgepole pine and conifer forests and managed for productive forestry.

According to the planning application, the project will see the conversion of 62ha of conifer forestry to native woodland.

The main peatland restoration measures will include tree removal, drain blocking (manual and mechanical) and surface smoothing.

All existing artificial drainage and artificial land drains currently existing within the peatland restoration areas will be blocked in order to restore the highwater table necessary for blanket bog growth.

Coillte said there will be continued control of invasive species during the restoration works to prevent their spread.

Deer fencing will also be erected to protect 62ha of proposed native woodland.

The development will include a new internal access road extending to 1.58km, while four temporary water-crossings will be constructed in order to facilitate the harvesting of the timber at the site.

Galway County Council granted planning for the development subject to seven conditions.

In a statement, Coillte said: "Our immediate next step is to review the planning permission in detail, including the conditions set out by the council, and incorporate them into our plan.

"This innovative, large-scale project will see 340 hectares of peatland forests redesigned for climate and ecological benefits over a 10-year period.

"Key objectives of the project include peatland rehabilitation, promoting regrowth of bog and heath and creating new native woodlands, which will collectively reduce carbon emissions."

The company added that today’s announcement marks "a significant and positive step forward in the delivery of Coillte’s strategic ambition to redesign 30,000 hectares of Peatland Forests by 2050".

"The works at Derryclare will include tree removal, drain blocking and the control of invasive species, and it is expected to inform future Coillte peatland redesign projects across Ireland.

Coillte thanked the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) for "its continued support and collaboration on this project".

Coillte added that it "looks forward to working closely with its stakeholders and the local community as it progresses to the delivery of these important restoration works".