Louth County Council CPO of lands for N53 works confirmed by An Bord Pleanála

An Bord Pleanála has confirmed, without modification, Louth County Council's Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) of lands for the purposes of realigning the N53 national secondary route in the townlands of Rassan, Shanmullagh, Annaghvacky, Carrickastuck, and Barronstown. 

The planned works comprise the construction of a single carriageway road for a distance of c.3.3km, from a location 920m east of the N53 junction with local road L-3119 in the townland of Rassan, to a location 180m west of the N53 junction with local road L-3125 in the townland of Barronstown, along with associated accommodation and fencing works, landscaping works, drainage works, and ancillary works.

11 valid objections to the CPO were received, with six withdrawn prior to the conclusion of An Bord Pleanála's Oral Hearing  regarding the CPO process. The five objectors were Amanda Wynne; Mary McCreesh; Theresa Byrne (deceased) c/o Geraldine Byrne; Michael O’Malley; and Glen Devlin.

Reasons for objecting included the impact on residential amenity; lands being acquired that are not required; boundary treatments and access arrangements; and land severance.

In the conclusion of An Bord Pleanála's Inspector Report, Planning Inspector Susan Clarke said, "I am satisfied that the process and procedures undertaken by the Local Authority have been fair and reasonable, that the Local Authority has demonstrated the need for the lands and that all the lands being acquired are both necessary and suitable.

"I consider that the proposed acquisition of these lands would be in the public interest and the common good and would be consistent with the policies and objectives of the Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027."

Louth County Council indicated in its August Management Report that while it was awaiting An Bord Pleanála's decision, preparatory work on the project was proceeding. It said that its design team was continuing to engage with the landowners, their agents, and other stakeholders.

Along with this it said that a technical acceptance report has received its initial approval for structures; an archaeological test trenching package is currently being prepared for field work and testing; and a tender has been issued for geotechnical advice for some soft soils’ areas.