Galway Bay fm newsroom – The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht is sending letters to several property and landowners across Galway as part of a planned 2,300 acre land designation.
Concerns have been raised over plans to designate lands across the county as special areas of conservation.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service designates lands under the European Union’s Habitats Directive in a bid to protect natural habitats, plants and wildlife.
The department has now confirmed that letters are ready to be sent out to landowners, informing them that their lands will be designated SACs.
Galway-Roscommon Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice claims the move is questionable – and landowners should be given a chance to oppose the changes.
He says there’s an obligation on the Heritage Minister to inform landowners before any designations are made.