Forestry Commission Wales administers the Environmental Impact Assessment (Forestry) Regulations 1999 (England and Wales). These Regulations apply to the activities of four 'forestry projects'. These are:
- Afforestation - planting new woodlands
- Deforestation - felling trees to convert the land to another use
- Forest Roads - the formation, alteration or maintenance of forest roads and tracks
- Forest Quarry Works – operations to obtain materials required for forest road works.
Forest Quarry Works – operations to obtain materials required for forest road works.
Getting our opinion about the proposal
Under these regulations, we must consider whether the work proposed for any of these projects, which has an area greater than the thresholds set out in the regulations, will have a significant effect on the environment. If this is the case, the proposer must apply for consent to carry out the work. The application for consent must include an Environmental Statement.
If the area of your project exceeds the regulatory thresholds, you can get our Opinion about whether or not our consent is required using the Determination form. Alternatively, if you submit an application for grant or a felling licence we will automatically make a decision then based upon that information.
Penalties
If you carry out work that would have required our consent or breach the conditions of a previously given consent then we may issue an Enforcement Notice that may ask you to take corrective action. If you do not carry out the terms of the Enforcement Notice then, under the EIA regulations, you may be guilty of an offence.
- Environmental Impact assessment of forestry projects (PDF - 86k)
- How to prepare an environmental statement (PDF -131k)
- Determination form (PDF - 60k)
