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04 Oct 2025
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04 Oct 2025
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Peatlands
Clarity has been sought on how a new CAP condition might affect planning applications for building houses with sewage treatment systems on land containing peat soil.
GAEC 2 is a new condition introduced under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). It sets baseline standards for protecting carbon rich soils, including peatlands and wetlands. Concerns and misinformation about GAEC 2 have caused worry among farmers, who fear it could remove land from production or restrict farming activity.
Under the condition, land parcels with 50 percent or more peat soil must comply with GAEC 2.
At a meeting of Manorhamilton Municipal District, Cllr Eddie Mitchell asked whether land with a GAEC 2 designation would be ineligible for housing development, and if so, whether land owners would need to appeal the designation or adjust parcel boundaries.
In response, the Planning department of Leitrim County Council stated, “The Planning Authority is not aware of any implications to the assessment of individual dwelling houses served by wastewater treatment systems arising from such designation.”
They also explained that building a one-off house would change the land use from agricultural to residential, which would reduce the number of eligible hectares.
According to the Department of Agriculture's own guidance, works like new drainage will still be subject to planning permission requirements.
“The Planning Authority would consider that the assessment of individual wastewater treatment systems will continue to be governed by the EPA Code of Practice,” the response concluded.
It was agreed that the Council would write to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to request further clarification.
However, Senior Planner Bernard Greene noted that nothing has come through to the Planning Department to date that raises concerns about the impact of GAEC 2.
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