An Bórd Pleanála has granted permission for a road improvement scheme in South Kerry.
Kerry County Council had sought to improve a 4.5km section of the N70 from Sneem to Blackwater Bridge.
The project includes constructing an all-purpose road with a cycle and pedestrian facility on the northern verge.
Permission was also granted for a Compulsory Purchase Order to acquire lands in Ankail, Tahilla, Dereennamucklagh and Doon.
An Bórd Pleanála's decision comes five months after a virtual oral hearing was held on the Compulsory Purchase Order, which was objected to by one landowner.
The Board approved the development on two conditions, and separately approved the CPO without modifications.
The Board did not accept the recommendations of the Senior Planning Inspector to refuse permission for the overall development, and to annul the CPO.
The Inspector's concerns related to the absence of an overall improvement strategy for the N70, and for pedestrian and cyclist safety at the beginning and end of the segregated path.
In approving the CPO, the Board stated the objections cannot be sustained given the necessity of the acquisition.
The Board says it was satisfied the proposed development would deliver overall safety benefits to all road users, and potential issues could be addressed through road safety measures.
Approval for the overall development scheme is subject to the project being carried out in accordance with the plans lodged with the council's application.
The other condition is that commitments set out in the Environmental Impact Assessment Report and the Natura impact statement be implemented in full.
