Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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477. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if the Department of Rural and Community Development has sought his Department's views on plans by Louth County Council to use funding approved by that Department to develop the Boyne greenway on the northside of the River Boyne at Mell, Drogheda, County Louth; if his Department has reservations on the proposed project in view of the fact that part of the subject area for the greenway plan involves a special area of conservation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63237/21]

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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Proposals to construct greenways through Drogheda along both banks of the Boyne were referred to in the then Draft Louth County Development Plan (CDP) 2021-2027. Louth County Council referred this plan to my Department in October 2020, and a number of recommendations were subsequently submitted.

In September 2021, my Department received further correspondence as part of an Appropriate Assessment screening being carried out on this project. No detailed design was provided for the proposed project, only a map detailing the layout. My officials would be happy to review and provide observations on any further consultation by Louth County Council.

The Department of Rural and Community Development has not sought my Department’s view in relation to this plan or funding for same. Any such funding is a matter for that Department to consider.