IFA Chair Joe Sweeney says council projects will have 'devastating impact' on farms

The chairman of the Donegal IFA (Irish Farmers Association) has warned the Ten T roadway and Barnesmore Gap Greenway projects will have a “devastating impact on their farms and farm businesses.”

Joe Sweeney and an IFA delegation met with senior officials from Donegal County Council to discuss farmer concerns about the projects, which will impact hundreds of homeowners, with plans to remove 28 homes, six derelict properties and four commercial properties.

The Ten T road project involves three different road sections - the N15/N13 Ballybofey/Stranorlar, N56/N13 Letterkenny to Manorcunningham and N12 Manorcunningham to Lifford/Strabane/A5 Link.

“We had a good meeting with Donegal County Council where we raised serious concerns that have been brought to the attention of the IFA by farmers about the impact these projects will have on their farms and farming enterprises,” Sweeney said.

Sweeney said the main issue with Donegal County Council was that they need to insist that TII have an updated and improved IFA/TII Roads Agreement in place when the project progresses to ensure that landowners are treated fairly. He added that there are up to 200 farmer landowners involved across the three routes, which are 63km long.

“These roads will have a devastating impact on their farms and farm businesses,” he said. “The IFA is insisting that TII agree to a new and improved IFA/TII Roads agreement for these projects. This is essential for these projects.”

The Council informed the IFA that the design stage is now complete, and they have put a business case to Government for funding and are awaiting the outcome. After this, the next phase will involve the statutory process of applying for planning permission, CPO’s, oral hearing and possibly judicial reviews. Depending on progress, it is anticipated construction will commence in 2027/2028.

“Most farmer/landowners already have an agronomist/valuer appointed and working for them with the Council,” Sweeney said. “The IFA is available to assist any farmer that needs help with the process and they should contact the local IFA office in Raphoe.”

The Council also made a detailed presentation to the IFA delegation, which includes Michael Chance, Donegal IFA Environment Committee Chair, on the proposed Barnsmore Gap Greenway, which runs from Donegal town to Ballybofey and onto Stranolar. This project is at an early stage, phase 2 involving option selection and has had two public consultations.

“The IFA raised a number of very significant issues with the Council in relation to the proposed Greenway,” Sweeney said. “These include the issue of land ownership along the abandoned railway line, the need to maximise the use of public lands and minimise the use of private lands, the IFA opposition to the use of CPO’s on Greenways, fencing, security, privacy and other issues. In addition, the Council confirmed to the IFA that they will apply the Code of Best Practice for Greenways in full on the project. The Council also confirmed that they have appointed Philip Farrelly and Co as Independent agronomists for the project.”

In relation to timing, the Council indicated that they hope to move to a preferred route towards the end of this year and they will then move to phase 3 design which will take 12 – 18 months.

They expect to move to the statutory phase of planning towards the end of 2025/early 2026. However, under the Code of Practice the Council can engage with landowners at a much earlier stage in respect of trying to negotiate Voluntary Landowners Agreements.

“It is essential that farmers and landowners have the professional independent advice of an agronomist/valuer available to them prior to any engagement on a voluntary agreement,” Sweeney said.