PHOTOS: 'Eco system chopped to bits' claim rejected by Office of Public Works

A Laois councillor has made an accusation that the Office of Public Works (OPW) "absolutely hacked to bits" a nature habitat in one of its flagship heritage sites.

A piece of woodland in Heywood Gardens has been "chopped to bits" according to Sinn Féin Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley. Photos of the woodlands below.

Speaking at the January 29 meeting of Laois County Council, she said she was "absolutely shocked to see the damage" on her walk in the woods on the previous weekend.

Portlaoise Municipal District Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley.

"It was unbelieveable to see the cutting away of the habitat, the eco system was chopped to bits. It is owned by the OPW. I couldn't understand the reasoning. There is a pile of muck streaming into the lake. How can they justify it? I ask for a letter to go to the Minister asking why they absolutely hacked the place to bits. Piles of habitats are taken completely," she said.

A letter will be sent by the council to the Minister of State with responsibility for Office of Public Works and the Gaeltacht, Patrick O'Donovan. 

Photos of the cleared woodlands in Heywood Gardens taken by Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley. 

The Office of Public Works has refuted any wrongdoing, giving its explanation to the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

"In 2022 the OPW launched its own Biodiversity Strategy Document setting out the organisational strategy for protecting and enhancing biodiversity on all its sites.

“The OPW takes its responsibility in relation to biodiversity very seriously. There are 48 actions in the Biodiversity Action Strategy Document and we are working to deliver on these actions over the next number of years.

"Following a recent arboricultural survey undertaken by a professional arborist, overcrowding was identified as an issue and it was recommended the thinning out of some of the trees and the removal of some of the young trees to enable other trees to develop to maturity.

“Some of the trees were dug out and relocated to a more suitable location to continue growing on the site. The thinning out of the trees will allow a forest understory to develop to enhance biodiversity.

"The works undertaken were necessary in order to remove dead trees from the lake’s edge to prevent any health and safety issues for our visitors, to remove surface debris to reinstate historic pathways (as shown on the old Ordinance Survey maps) and to provide better access so that more people can safely enjoy the woodland.

They say the work will also alleviate visitors safety concerns about the woodland.

“The thinning of the woodland will allow more light into the area which will help people to feel safer and allow in more light.

"No works have been undertaken in the lake. All works were undertaken outside of the nesting season, which is the dormant season from November to end of February.

"All of these works were undertaken in line with Tree Management Policy 2019 and the site is being managed in accordance with the Conservation Management Plan 2019.

"The landscape will recover and biodiversity will be more varied as a result of the works undertaken," an OPW spokesperson said.