Leitrim and Sligo farmers raise concerns over proposed SLNCR greenway at meeting in Manorhamilton

Farmers from Leitrim and Sligo met this week in the Bee Park in Manorhamilton to voice their concerns that the SLNCR Greenway that is to be constructed will pass through their land.

“It was an opportunity to let farmers air their views and their concerns,” says Leitrim IFA chairperson Liam Gilligan. “Concerns are going to have to be addressed.”

The IFA in Leitrim and Sligo continue to voice strong objections to the proposed Sligo, Leitrim, Northern Counties Railway (SLNCR) Greenway, warning of serious disruptions to farms and devaluation of farmland along the current route.

The SLNCR Greenway project, which will stretch across Sligo, Leitrim, and Fermanagh, has finished the consultation phase, which was extended until June 3rd, and public information meetings were held between planners, county councils, and the public in Sligo, Leitrim, and Fermanagh.

The findings of the meeting will now be brought to the county councils, according to Gilligan.

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In a previous joint statement, Leitrim IFA Chair Liam Gilligan and Sligo IFA Chair Michael O’Dowd said the Greenway proposal, as it currently stands, flies in the face of national guidance, which recommends maximising the use of public lands and minimising disruption to private property.

“The proposed corridor has the potential to sever and divide a large number of farms,” said O’Dowd. “That is totally unacceptable and must be reviewed,” Sligo IFA chairperson has said previously.

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The event this week was also attended by those who support the construction of the Greenway, and Leitrim County Councillors Padraig Fallon, Felim McGurrin, Mary Bohan, and James Gilmartin were also in attendance.

The project proposes a 75km route through Collooney, Ballintogher, Dromahair, Manorhamilton, Glenfarne, and Blacklion, which will loosely follow the old North West rail corridor. The track, which will be 10 metres wide, is to be informed through public consultations.

Much of that land is now part of active farms and, in some cases, includes homes and farmyards. Some farmers have since registered the land in their own names.

“The old, abandoned railway line is long gone, and this land is now active farmland,” said Gilligan, encouraging landowners to check their title and seek legal support if needed. Under the Greenways Code of Practice, project promoters may contribute €750 plus VAT towards legal fees for title regularisation.

Project Liaison Officers are visiting landowners whose land may be affected by the proposed project to consult them on potential challenges and desired changes to the route.

Project organisers told the Leitrim Observer that the goal is to work with farmers and landowners to find an acceptable route for the Greenway for all parties, though they do not rule out the use of compulsory purchase orders.

There is a fear amongst farmers that that could happen, says Gilligan; however, he stressed that “we are not at that stage yet,” adding that that must be avoided at all costs.

The planning application for the project will not be submitted until 2027.

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