Compo agreed for land owners along pipeline

May 2005

A negotiated settlement is reached between Louth IFA and Bord Gáis which will smooth the way for the installation of a natural gas pipeline from Gormanston, Co. Meath to near Belfast, a distance of 155km.

The pipeline will run 50km through Co. Louth before crossing the border to link in with a terminal at Ballyalbanagh, Co. Antrim.

Some 160 landowners will be affected in Louth and Meath, the vast majority in the ‘ Wee County’.

‘ The negotiations were stretched out over a number of meetings,’ says Séamus Lambe, chairman, Louth IFA executive.

He adds they are pleased to be able to get an increase above the original offer from Bord Gáis.

The board requires a 30m-wide working strip for the installation of the pipeline which will be welded above ground and then lowered into a prepared trench.

A 14m-wide permanent wayleave (7m on each side of the pipeline) will remain over which the landowner cannot build.

Agreement is reached for compensation to be paid to landowners on the following scale: permanent wayleave €26 per linear metre, crop loss and disturbance €20 per linear metre, early sign-up bonus €8 per linear metre.

The wayleave package only applies to agricultural land, and includes protection against loss of development right on the permanent wayleave arising from the location of the pipeline.

Crop loss and disturbance will be paid at least 14 days prior to commencement of construction works, while 75% of permanent wayleave and sign-up bonus will be paid on signing on consent form and proof of title, while the 25% balance will be paid on completion of works and Deed of Easement.

Work on the pipeline is expected to start before the end of the year.