The compulsory purchase order (CPO) notice to acquire land along the South Kerry Greenway route will be published in the coming months, Kerry County Council has confirmed. Over 130 landowners are expected to be subject to CPOs along the 32km route from Glenbeigh to Renard in the county.

Kerry County Council attempted to acquire the land by agreement but this did not prove possible, a spokesperson for the council told the Irish Farmers Journal.

“Given the enormous potential of the project from an economic and tourism point of view, particularly in an area which has experienced depopulation and rural decline in recent years, the council decided to acquire the land by compulsory purchase and that process is now under way.

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“The council strongly believes that this project is a key strategic one for south Kerry and is a top priority for the local authority.”

Information session

Once route selection is finalised, the council spokesperson said a public information session will be held in south Kerry.

Meanwhile, an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) - which assesses the environmental impacts of the greenway, is being completed by Kerry County Council and will be submitted to An Bord Pleanála as soon as possible.

This process will form part of the final planning application to An Bord Pleanála.