An Bord Pleanala has gone against the advice of a planning inspector's recommendation not to grant a local company permission to extract peat at a bog in Longford and Westmeath.
Klassman Deilmann had applied in June of 2020 to An Bord Pleanala for permission to extract raw materials at Killinagh Bog, Co. Westmeath and Co. Longford and Derrydoonan and Bog, Derrydoonan ower and Lissanure, Rathowen, Co. Westmeath.
The decision is the second time this year the firm has been approved to apply for permission to cut peat for compost products once again in the Shannonside region.
In May, the company was also given permission, again against the advice of an inspector, to apply for 'Leave for Substitute Consent' at Ballygarvey Bog between Rathowen and Legan in Longford.
The decisions are just the first steps in resuming peat production as they must next get planning permission from the respective County Councils, and only then can they ask the EPA for a special licence - all stages at which they can face rejection.
