Will the presence of Corncrake impact planning on Islands?
Councillor raises question at Glenties Municipal District meeting
Will people be granted planning permission to build on islands if the Corncrake is living on the land, a councillor asked at a recent online meeting of Glenties Municipal District.
Sinn Féin Councillor John Shéamais Ó Fearraigh asked council officials about what, if any, impact the protected species and the future development on islands on Tuesday, last.
A specially protected species, the Corncrake is a visitor to this country between April and September. Once a common sight in the Irish countryside, the species is now limited to Connacht, Donegal and their offshore islands. The Corncrake population has dropped by 85 per cent since the 1970s.
The main causes of the dramatic decline in its numbers include the move from hay-making to silage, increased use of fertiliser and the reseeding of semi-natural grasslands.
Cllr Ó Fearraigh was informed that once an application is submitted, a Natura Impact Statement (NIS) would be submitted with the application which would have to be considered in line with all the specific objectives of the natura site. The application would be dependent on the outcome of the NIS.