Question re Forestry Commission (FC) authority over sold land

hkjohn

Anyone know if the FC's authority over forested lands covered by FC grants cease to apply when the land in question sold?

Also, will the land's new owner be free to clear a large area of trees without first obtaining a felling licence?

blue5000

No to both questions. But if the equivalent area of land is planted somewhere else then that is probably the only way out of it.

hkjohn

Cheers for that.

Just as a matter of interest, presumably the replacements would have to be planted on their own land (or on someone else's land with permission) and they would presumably have to prove to the FC where the replacements were planted.

Thanks in advance for the clarification

hkjohn

Quick follow up question:

Anyone know if there's a website where I can check the status of tree-felling licence applications?

Easten

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118114454#Comment_118114454

Another question is when you became are the new land owner was there an agreement in the sale contract whereby you agreed to continue with the Afforestation Scheme?

If not and the forest is still under the Afforestation Scheme then you have options

Are you receiving the payment? If not

you can notify the FC that you are not participating in the scheme and you are going to remove the immature trees to return it to land. At that point the original owner will have to pay back all of the funds received from the FC.

hkjohn

Either way, would assume the new owners would be required to apply for and obtain a tree-felling licence before they could start chopping down trees. Is there a publicly available source where I can check this?

Easten

A felling license is for felling trees, after which you are obliged by law to replant the area again. From what I gather you want to clear the trees and leave it cleared?

Information for felling licenses, your best read here to get up to speed on forestry

https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/forestry/