Consultation remains the 'best approach' for greenway development - IFA

The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) has said that consultation remains the “best approach” for developing greenway projects.

It follows a decision by an Bord Pleanála this week (Wednesday, November 11) to confirm the compulsory purchase order (CPO) with modifications, for lands associated with the south Kerry greenway.

Also Read: Planning approval for controversial south Kerry greenway

In a statement to AgriLand, chairman of Kerry IFA Pat O’Driscoll said the association will be reflecting on the decision of An Bord Pleanála and will analyse the implications for farmers and landowners in Kerry and across the country.

A different approach

The IFA has said that it’s committed to working with all agencies to develop a Voluntary Land Acquisition Agreement strategy for amenity projects like greenways, which would avoid the use of CPOs.

O’Driscoll said: “It would also deliver on the requirement in the National Greenways Strategy that local authorities must adopt ‘a consultative and proactive manner with potentially affected landowners, that is sensitive to their needs; that maximises their support for, and goodwill towards, the proposed greenway’.

“Regrettably…this did not happen in respect of the south Kerry greenway,” he said.

The IFA said it recognises the importance of projects like the south Kerry greenway, in terms of the potential for agri-tourism and the promotion of economic activity in rural areas.

IFA national environment chairman Paul O’Brien said that he expects this case (in Kerry) would lead to a new approach for greenways that would avoid CPOs.

Voluntary Land Acquisition Strategy

O’Brien said a new approach would work with a Voluntary Land Acquisition Strategy, which would present alternative options to landowners; adherence to an agreed Code of Practice when dealing with farmers, which involves the employment of a professional agronomist for the farmer; and ensures that farmers are fully and fairly compensated.

The IFA said that Kerry County Council engaged in a constructive co-design approach on the Tralee–Fenit greenway and the Abbeyfeale–Listowel greenway in north Kerry, which was based on goodwill and consultation.

“Unfortunately, the approach in south Kerry has been more adversarial, where they did not value the goodwill of the farmers; sought to impose the statutory legal process; and failed to engage agronomists at the route design stage,” concluded O’Brien.