Tree felling licence suspended in Kells following protests

A decision to suspend a license that had been issued to fell the trees at Rabbit Hill Wood, Kells has been welcomed by local residents who held a recent protest at the site.

The wood, on the north east side of Kells on the Slane Road is a long established nesting ground for herons.

Cllr Sarah Reilly, who had organised the protest, said she was delighted that the Department of Agriculture had suspended the tree felling license for Rabbit Hill Wood pending an investigation.

"I have been informed that the file is currently being reviewed by the Forestry Inspectorate,”he said.

“The community has really come together on this issue. Since the protest demonstration I have received many calls from people expressing their dismay and concern for the heron and wildlife.

“Reassurance is needed that all appropriate surveys of the land was conducted prior to grant of license. Furthermore, the community want absolute clarity on the ownership of the land.

"Many people, like me, assumed that the lands belonged to the parish and that ultimately they would allow for the orderly expansion of the graveyard in many decades to come. I think if this could be definitively determined it would put some people’s minds at ease.”

As regards the time frame for the decision on the suspension Cllr Reilly explained that there is no legal stipulated time within which a decision must be made.

“There is no set time frame within which the review must take place. I have, however, been assured that the Department will not restore the license until it is satisfied that it was issued correctly.”

Also welcoming the suspension of the license was Denis Lynch, a sixth year student of St Ciaran’s Community School, Kells.

“The suspension is a relief and a genuine step in the right direction. Although heron are not an endangered species it is important that they are protected,” he said.