The decision by the Government to extend a special area of conservation to avoid the destruction of a historic oak wood during the building of a proposed bypass on the main Cork to Killarney road has been welcomed by the Friends of the Irish Environment.
According to Tony Lowes of the environmental lobby group, the decision by Minister for the Environment John Gormley to designate Cascade Wood in Ballyvourney, Co Cork as a special area of conservation will help save an important area of ecological interest.
Mr Lowes said his group had been alerted by local residents and had prepared a report on the woodland which it had sent to the National Roads Authority (NRA). Its importance had been recognised by the Department of the Environment.
Mr Gormley confirmed yesterday he has decided to propose to extend an existing special area of conservation status in line with European Union law to include Cascade Wood.
This runs north of Ballyvourney village and includes a 600m (1,970ft) gorge carrying the Bohill river.
"The special importance of this wood was brought to my attention when route options were being examined for the bypass of Ballyvourney village which is currently been planned by the NRA and Cork County Council as part of the larger N22 Macroom/Ballyvourney scheme.
"Not only does the wood contain old oak which is now rare in Ireland, it also contains a large population of the Kerry slug which Ireland must protect under EU nature law. Seven of Ireland's 10 species of bat have also been recorded as foraging or commuting on site."
Mr Gormley welcomed his department and the NRA working together to ensure any delay in completing the road project would be minimised.
"The N22 is effectively the umbilical cord between Cork and Kerry. It is the key transport corridor between the National Spatial Strategy Gateway of Cork and the linked hub of Tralee/Killarney," he said.
"By acting flexibly at this early stage, the NRA have shown we can build roads and conserve important nature at the same time."
According to spokesman Sean O'Neill, the NRA had completed both a compulsory purchase order and an environmental impact statement in relation to the Macroom to Ballyvourney section but had not published either in anticipation of this change in designation.