Wicklow Wildlife Facing 'Serious Threat'

An amendment to County Wicklow's county development plan has been strongly criticised by An Taisce, the National Trust for Ireland. Variation 6.12 removes the ban on guesthouses and hotels in all "landscape zones", including areas of outstanding natural beauty, special amenity zones and coastal zones.

Wicklow Wildlife

An Taisce urged the council to reject the proposed Variation 6.12 saying that the plan posed a serious threat to protected wildlife areas and was contrary to European law. The group argued that, these zones include areas designated under the Habitats Directive as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and under the EU Birds Directive as Special Protection Areas (SPAs), and as such the variation infringes these directives. An Taisce also said that the variation would also defeat the purpose of the national designation Natural Heritage Area (NHA) under the Wildlife Act.

Ireland is currently facing legal action by the European Commission for failing to implement wildlife and natural heritage protection measures - notably the Habitats Directive. A judgment against Ireland on the Habitats Directive is expected from the European Court next month. An Taisce has said that if the amendment is approved, it would request the European Commission to examine it in the light of the protection provided by the Habitats Directive.

An Taisce is Ireland's leading environmental organisation. While it is largely concerned with planning matters it has also implemented many of Ireland's most postive environmental initiatives such as 'Spring Clean' week and the popular Green Schools program.