Bord na Móna plans for network of walking and cycling trails in Longford approved

A Bord na Móna planning application to develop a network of walking and cycling trails has been approved by Longford County Council.

The location of the site is on Bord na Móna lands within the townlands of Cloonbony, Kilnacarrow, Ballynakill, Begnagh, Corragarrow.

The development is to include the repurposing of 5.2km on existing former rail bed, 3.1km along existing bog headlands and former high fields and 185m along pre-existing machine access routes. The construction of car and bicycle parking facilities at a number of gateway locations along the proposed route.

The provision of one proposed gateway located at the previously permitted Knappogue Bog Amenity Trail as permitted under a Longford County Council Part 8 order.

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Another gateway at Lanesboro will consist of the development of a pavilion structure, ramp and stairs structure to access the car parking facility. The provision of a pavilion and totem feature at another gateways and the provision of a Thematic Experience comprising a framed structure extending to 8.0 meters with a visitor periscope to view the surrounding landscape, along the northern section of the route within the Cloonmore townland.

Another gateway will provide handrails at the existing bridge and the provision of a new fence line along the centre line of the bridge with key holder gated access for maintenance vehicles located in the townland Begnagh.

The plans include improvement works to eight existing agricultural crossings. The provision of upgrade works at road crossings. The erection of wayfinding and interpretive signage at Gateway locations and along the route. Fencing and screening will be erected where required for health and safety and biodiversity reasons.

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The plans cover 520 meters of screening along the permitted Knappoge Bog section, 1,065 meters of screening along the Begnagh Bog section, the implementation of Nature Based Drainage proposals at the Gateway locations to cater for surface water drainage at car park locations.

The approval covers the demolition and removal of two existing level crossing gates and associated support structure at proposed road crossing locations at gateways. All other ancillary and associated site works.

There were three submissions on file in regard to the application. Niall Dennigan made a submission on behalf of The Mid Shannon Wilderness Park – Awareness Group. The groups asked for the planning office to consider frog spawn protection, as the long-term information provided on measures to protect frog spawn from wash runoff from the new trackways does not feature in this application and considerations with regard to fencing, particularly the height, placement (Screening) and maintenance.

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A submission from Peter Sweetman focused on the environmental impacts of the development, compliance with the Habitats Directive, the planning authority's full review of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report and that the development must be assessed under the Water Framework Directive in compliance with a specific CJEU Judgment.

The local authority approval, subject to 10 conditions, is for the Bord na Móna lands within the townlands of Cloonbony, Kilnacarrow, Ballynakill, Begnagh, Corragarrow, and Cloonmore, County Longford.