Rajkiran Barhey acted for Mr Paddy Cox, a small woodland owner, in his appeals against the Park Authority’s refusal of planning permission and an enforcement notice. She was instructed by Emma Montlake of the Environmental Law Foundation.
Mr Cox sought planning permission to change the use of the land from forestry to a mixed use for field archery, eco-tourism and ‘life-long learning’ as part of his “multifunctional woodland management” model of small woodland management. This relies on carrying out a range of activities in the woods to make the whole endeavour financially viable, but also to provide social, cultural, economic and environmental benefits.
Planning permission was refused due to the potential impact on tranquillity and landscape character and an enforcement notice was also served which alleged, amongst other things, that timber products were being produced on the land.
Rajkiran represented Mr. Cox in his successful appeal against the refusal of planning permission. This opens the door for other small woodland owners to adopt this management model. The enforcement notice was upheld by the Inspector but some guidance was provided as to what activities may be deemed as ‘ancillary’ to a lawful forestry use.
Original news item here.
