Senator Erin McGreehan has called on locals affected by the proposed greenway from Carlingford to Dundalk to make submissions.   

The North Louth Senator has said many landowners have raised concerns about the route and that greater consultation is needed.

“I have been inundated with calls and messages from the community and farmers in the Cooley Peninsula who are against the plans to develop a greenway in Cooley. I would encourage people to have their say about the proposed potential routes for the greenway between Carlingford and Dundalk by making a submission.

“People are very worried about the acquisition of land for a greenway.  The land along the route is rich agriculturally and farmers are rightly concerned that parts of their fields would be taken away from them for the greenway. Others have told me they are concerned about quiet and peaceful areas now will have strangers passing by and are very uncomfortable with it.

“There can be huge benefits to having greenways in our locality. The Carlingford to Omeath Greenway has been a huge success. But greenways require cooperation and support and it is very clear that there is a lot of disquiet about the routes and how it would impact local people.

“I urge affected landowners, in particular, to ensure that their voices are heard and make a submission.”

She added: “I will notify Louth County Council and call on them to seriously consider the submissions that will be made in the coming weeks.”

McGreehan, who is in general a supporter of greenways, but that the community needs to be on board.

“I am aware of the positive impact that the Carlingford to Omeath Greenway has had on the local community, but the Cooley Greenway plans are not as well received in the Cooley area and as a result, the council needs to listen to local people and assess the routes to ensure there is full support from the farming and local community in the Cooley Peninsula,” she added. 

Details of how to make submissions is here at this link