An IFA meeting of over 100 farmers and landowners on the proposed Cork to Kinsale Greenway in Carrigline recently heard that the emerging preferred route corridor put forward by Cork County Council is totally unsuitable for a Greenway project.
Farmers and landowners at the meeting were highly critical of the Council for trying to impose a Greenway without taking on board the views of the farming and local rural community.
A number of local TDs and several County Councillors spoke against the proposed emerging route corridor and said they will highlight their objections to the Council.
IFA Infrastructure Project Team Chair Paul O’Brien told the meeting that IFA had challenged Cork County Council on their approach to the Greenway and their attempt at trying to impose a Greenway on all private farmland and their failure to utilise any public or state-owned lands.
He said this approach by the Council is contrary to the Government 2018 Strategy for the Future Development of National and Regional Greenways.
“The Strategy was clear in stating that the preferred model for future Greenways is to use lands already in the undisputed ownership or control of the State, either through Government Agencies, Government Departments or Local Authorities,” Paul O’Brien said.
“Greenways should maximise the use of state-owned lands and minimise the use of private farmlands. On the Cork to Kinsale Greenway, the Council have explained that there are little or no state-owned lands in the emerging preferred route corridor,” he added.
IFA Munster Regional Chair Conor O’Leary said attempting to impose a Greenway on all private farmlands is unacceptable to the IFA and farmers, adding it creates major disruption in terms of severance and could destroy the viability of some farms.
Conor O’Leary said at an earlier meeting during the day with Cork County Council, the IFA made it clear to the Council that IFA is opposed to any severance of farms or compulsory purchase orders (CPO’s) for amenity projects like Greenways.
“We also told the Council that their proposed emerging preferred route corridor was totally unsuitable for a Greenway because it cuts through all private farmland.”
“Some parts of the proposed Greenway route being considered is planned to follow the old, abandoned railway line. IFA pointed out that this abandoned railway is now part of private farmland and is actively farmed with developments including roadways and farmyards and such a route is totally unsuitable for a Greenway,” the IFA Munster Regional Chair said.
Conor O Leary said Cork County Council has agreed to undertake a total review of the entire Greenway project in view of the opposition from the farming and rural community on the serious shortcomings regarding the emerging preferred route corridor.
Conor O Leary said the Council has told the IFA they will extend the deadline for the receipt of on the Greenway project submissions until Friday, August 29th and he is encouraging all farmers and landowners to make a submission.
The meeting also heard from farmers and landowners very concerned over the disease risk and implications for their livestock herds from infrastructural projects such as Greenways, especially in relation to the increased threat from TB.
In addition, serious concerns were also raised over many other issues including the loss of privacy, security, increased litter, environmental concerns, excessive costs and other issues.
Paul O’Brien said IFA had visited a number of farms along the emerging preferred route corridor and it was very clear how unsuitable the route was for a Greenway.
“We brought this detail to our meeting with the Council and left them in no uncertain terms about the strong views of the farmers and landowners,” Paul O’Brien said.
“The meeting with Cork County Council was frank and informative, and engagement with the Council is very important and provided IFA with the opportunity to clearly outline all of the concerns and issues of farmers and landowners,” he added.
The IFA meeting in Carrigline was also addressed by Kevin Kinsella, agricultural consultant for the IFA, and also by the Cork Central IFA Chair Matt Hurley and West Cork IFA Chair Tadgh Healy.
