Donegal’s Ten-T project to impact 475 property owners
The Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) Priority Route Improvement Project will impact 475 property owners and involve the compulsory purchase of 1,470 acres of land, according to the Irish Farmers Association (IFA).
Upon completion, the €800 million project aims to deliver over 100 kilometres of upgraded roads across three key sections of the county: the Twin Towns Bypass, Letterkenny to Manorcunningham, and Manorcunningham to Lifford, which links to the A5 in Strabane.
At a meeting in Letterkenny organised to help and support affected landowners, the Donegal IFA chair, Joe Sweeney, expressed concern about the impact of the roads project on farmers and landowners.
“This is extremely stressful and difficult for the landowners and their families. IFA has met with senior engineers and officials in Donegal County Council and highlighted the concerns farmers have,” he said.
The land will be purchased by Donegal County Council in association with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). IFA has a roads agreement with TII in place, designed to ensure that farmers and landowners are treated fairly and properly under the CPO compensation process.
Richard Rea, Agricultural Consultant, made a detailed presentation to the meeting covering all aspects of a compensation claim. He also highlighted areas of difficulty and problems that can arise on road projects, including access, fencing, services, drainage, and legal issues related to land ownership, family issues, and taxation.
IFA Infrastructure Project Team Chair Paul O’Brien told the meeting the IFA had negotiated a new and updated Roads Agreement with TII back in 2023, which runs to December 31, 2027.
“It is essential that Donegal landowners on the Ten T project have the benefits of the IFA/TII agreement, which covers all essential aspects of the CPO and their compensation claim, as well as an additional goodwill payment of €6,500 per acre,” O’Brien said.
Kevin Kinsella, advisor to the IFA on infrastructure matters, told the meeting that Donegal County Council has outlined that the three sections of the Ten T roads project total 63km and will affect 475 property owners, involving 1,470 acres of land.
In addition, he said it will require acquiring 34 residences, five vacant properties, and four commercial properties.
He advised the meeting that the benefits of the IFA/TII agreement are considerable, enabling landowners to have compensation assessed based on the value of the land and injurious affection, including damage to the viability of the farm business, severance, and disturbance. In addition, he said the value of the land is assessed at its open market value, with reference to and comparison with the actual size, location, and quality of the land parcels.
Additional items in the IFA/TII agreement include the replacement of farm buildings on a new-for-old basis and an additional goodwill/cooperation payment of €6,500 per acre.
Donegal County Council submitted its planning application and Compulsory Purchase Order on May 14, and the deadline for submitting objections is Thursday, July 10.
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