More info sought on South Kerry Greenway

AN Bord Pleanála has sought more information from Kerry County Council in relation to the application for the South Kerry Greenway.

The planning application was lodged last September by Kerry County Council for the multi-million euro project.

A Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) to acquire the necessary lands was lodged alongside the planning application. More than 200 submissions were made before the closing date of October 19 for public submissions.

Kerry County Council said this week, in a report to the South and West Municipal District meeting, that An Bord Pleanála has requested further information on the application. The local authority has until February 8 to lodge this information. An Bord Pleanála has the final authority on whether or not to grant planning to the project. It is expected that an oral hearing will be held before planning is granted. Kerry County Council said this week that no date has yet been fixed for an oral hearing.

The project has been mired in controversy, with some landowners in the area against the use of CPOs to acquire the land.

However, many of the local businesses in the area and local councillors believe that the project is vital for the regeneration of the south Kerry area.

The proposed South Kerry Greenway is to run between Glenbeigh and Reenard Point.

The scheme impacts on 222 landholdings and 197 landowners, according to the council.