The South Kerry Greenway has effectively gotten the
go-ahead by the Supreme Court after legal appeals had halted the project,
though it was approved two years ago.
The Supreme Court has rejected two applications for leave
to appeal in a decision that effectively sets aside legal challenges that first
emerged about 12 months ago.
The new project, which was thrashed out in an oral
planning hearing back in 2019, will cost over €20m; based on prices at that
time and before it ran into objections.
A number of objections to the greenway were brought
before the High Court in January of last year and it is these that have now
been rejected by the Supreme Court.
One of the actions was taken by Peter Sweetman, who
campaigns on environmental issues, and Kerry farmer James Clifford. Both were
challenging An Bord Pleanála’s decision to grant permission for the greenway.
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They believe the permission granted breached EU
directives on habitats and environmental impacts and did not protect the Kerry
slug and the lesser horseshoe bat.
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The second challenge was by a group of local landowners
whose lands are set to be acquired for the greenway project by compulsory
purchase orders. They also want the permission granted for the greenway to be
quashed.
Aside from traversing some really spectacular countryside
it will also incorporate iconic landmarks. Cyclist and walkers on the greenway
will get to cross the Caherciveen rail bridge and Gleensk viaduct while the
Drung Hill tunnels are also part of the route.
An Bord Pleanála said in 2020 the project, first launch
in 2014, was in the public interest and would bring “economic regeneration” to
the area.
The 27km cycleway will start in Renard Point, which is
near Caherciveen and from where the Valentia Island ferry departs, and take
walkers and cyclists all the way to Glenbeigh.
The 3-metre wide paved surface will have grass verges
either side and will be fenced off. Like the Waterford Greenway, the Kerry
Greenway will also follow the path of a disused rail line.
Last operational in 1960, the disused Great Southern
& Western line ran from Farranfore and Valentia Island harbour.
