The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Broad welcome as Greenway goes to planning stage
THE news that an application is to be made for planning for the South Kerry Greenway by the end of next week has been welcomed by local communities in South Kerry who believe that the multi-million euro tourism project will transform the area.
Kerry County Council has confirmed that the planning process will begin this week with a pre-application meeting with An Bord Pleanála after which the planning application will be lodged – this includes a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) and the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
The local authority has said it is likely that an oral hearing will take place which will allow anyone opposed to the project to voice their concerns.
An Bord Pleanála must confirm the CPO, which will give landowners a period of time to claim compensation, before any deal can be struck with the landowners.
Once planning is granted, which will take at least six months, the works will begin.
According to a spokesperson for the council, the nature of the works will vary from section to section but in general will involve the erection of temporary fencing if required and then stripping the sod off the existing track ballast, the application of a regulating base layer and surfacing with bitumen macadam. Drainage work will take place simultaneously.
There are, however, a number of sections such as at Drung Hill tunnels overlooking Dingle Bay where the installation of a new bridge and the creation of a gabion supported causeway will be required. This is specialist work and is a more complex procedure.
Chairman of ACARD, Cahersiveen’s local development company, Frank Curran, said that the South Kerry Greenway is vital for the region.
“This is the future of South Kerry. Look at what it has done for Mayo and Waterford and the South Kerry Greenway is even more iconic.
“The potential is huge. There has been 240,000 people visiting the Waterford Greenway in less than one year and with an average spend of €20 this is €5m for the area. Can you imagine that in South Kerry?”
He says that, once the planning is granted, people will see the potential and local businesses will be set up – including accommodation and coffee shops to cater for the increasing tourism trade.
“It is a golden opportunity for South Kerry. This ticks all the boxes. It is huge for a rural area and for our community,” added Frank.
Cllr Michael Cahill has also welcomed the news that the planning process is to begin. The FF councillor described the South Kerry Greenway as the county’s biggest and most important tourism project.
“This multi-million euro project is a lifeline for Cahersiveen and the Iveragh Peninsula, an area that needs jobs and investment to stem the tide of emigration. The South Kerry Greenway is the only show in town and, when developed, with it’s magnificent scenery, will blow both the Waterford and Mayo Greenway’s out of the water in terms of attracting visitors to the region.”