IFA Meeting on Ten T Road Project in Donegal
Landowners at a recent IFA meeting in Letterkenny on the Ten T Roads scheme heard that the project would impact 475 property owners and involve the compulsory purchase of 1,470 acres of land by Donegal County Council in association with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII).
Donegal IFA Chair Joe Sweeney said the impact of the roads project on farmers and landowners will be significant and IFA had organised the meeting to help and support affected landowners.
“This is extremely stressful and difficult for the landowners and their families. IFA has met with senior engineers and officials in Donegal County Council and highlighted the concerns farmers have.”
IFA has a roads agreement with TII in place, designed to ensure that farmers and landowners are treated fairly and properly under the CPO compensation process.
Richard Rea, Agricultural Consultant, made a detailed presentation to the meeting covering all aspects of a compensation claim. He also highlighted areas of difficulty and problems that can arise on road projects, including access, fencing, services, drainage, and legal issues related to land ownership, family issues, and taxation.
IFA Infrastructure Project Team Chair Paul O’Brien told the meeting the IFA had negotiated a new and updated Roads Agreement with TII back in 2023, which runs to Dec 31st, 2027.
“It is essential that Donegal landowners on the Ten T project have the benefits of the IFA/TII agreement, which covers all essential aspects of the CPO and their compensation claim, as well as an additional goodwill payment of €6,500 per acre”.
Kevin Kinsella, advisor to the IFA on infrastructure matters, told the meeting that Donegal County Council has outlined that the three sections of the Ten T roads project total 63km and will affect 475 property owners, involving 1,470 acres of land.
In addition, he said it will require acquiring 34 residences, five vacant properties, and four commercial properties.
He advised the meeting that the benefits of the IFA/TII agreement are considerable, enabling landowners to have compensation assessed based on the value of the land and injurious affection, including damage to the viability of the farm business, severance, and disturbance. In addition, he said the value of the land is assessed at its open market value, with reference to and comparison with the actual size, location, and quality of the land parcels.
Additional items in the IFA/TII agreement include the replacement of farm buildings on a new-for-old basis and an additional goodwill/cooperation payment of €6,500 per acre.
Donegal County Council has submitted its planning application and CPO on May 14th, and the deadline for submitting objections is this Thurs, July 10th.
