Kerry County Council has lodged its planning application for the South Kerry greenway with An Bord Pleanála. The project has been subject to controversy in recent times due to the inclusion of compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) in the planning process.

In a statement to the Irish Farmers Journal on the inclusion of CPOs in the application, IFA environmental chair Thomas Cooney said: "The action is excessive and an unnecessary use of State power. The IFA will continue to support the landowners until sense prevails.

“The actions put Kerry County Council in breach of Minister Ross's and Minister Griffin's greenway strategy. Kerry County Council should immediately rethink their strategy."

CPOs

The greenway is planned to run for 32km from Glenbeigh to Reenard and is set to affect 222 landholdings and 197 landowners. The CPO notice for the acquisition of the privately-owned lands to allow the council to develop the greenway will be published on Thursday.

Along with the CPO notice, an environmental impact assessment report (EIAR), which assesses the anticipated environmental impact of the project, will also be published. These will be available from the council’s website and offices from Friday 31 August.

Affected landowners/occupiers will be notified of the CPO notice individually.

Any submissions in relation to the Compulsory Purchase Order must be made in writing to the council before 4.30pm Friday 19 October.

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