Over €13,000 has been raised in the lead up to and during a public meeting in support for opposing the Carlingford to Dundalk, Co. Louth greenway.
The fifth meeting of the group was held yesterday (Wednesday, December 4) and attended by around 370 landowners and residents.
The common concern raised involved the operation of compulsory purchase orders (CPOs), which refers to the order where certain statutory bodies can take land or property without the owner’s consent.
If someone makes an objection, the local authority cannot buy the land without the consent of An Bord Pleanála.
If An Bord Pleanála approves the compulsory purchase and the local authority has dealt with any objections, the local authority can buy the land, using a vesting order.
TDs and councillors present on the night said they had heard from people who opposed the greenway plans and those in favour. TDs in attendance included: Deputy Erin McGreehan; Deputy Paula Butterly; and Deputy Ruairi O’Murchu.
Councillors present included: Andrea McKevitt; John Reilly; Maeve Yore; Fiona Mhic Conchoille; and Antoin Watters.
They were also all in agreement that CPOs should not be used for the proposed greenway. Members of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) present also said that they “absolutely oppose” CPOs.
Following a signed petition by 2,330 residents earlier in the year, the group has now kickstarted fundraising, which will be used for raising awareness through public signs, along with organising expert guidance, such as legal advice.
Organiser on the night, Denise Collins said that there may be further fundraising in the future, however if the money goes unused, it will be donated to local charities. Collins put together a video on the night to highlight how locals impacted feel:
The project is currently in its second phase of a possible seven phase plan, where a preferred route corridor is being determined, following a public consultation event.
The project team are currently reviewing and assessing the submissions received in response to this public consultation event.
Following the selection of a preferred route corridor option, where private land acquisition is necessary, the project liaison officer and Louth County Council will engage with individual landowners.
This is in an effort to agree upon a process that minimises the impact on their respective farm or property holdings and will seek to enter into Voluntary Land Acquisition Agreements where possible.