A provisional hearing date for legal challenges to An Bord Pleanála's decision to grant permission for the South Kerry Greenway and accompanying Compulsory Purchase Order has been set for March.
Two separate applications for judicial reviews of the decisions were granted yesterday in the High Court.
The first legal action seeking a judicial review of the planning board decisions has been lodged by environmentalist Peter Sweetman from Rossport, Co Mayo and James Clifford a farmer from Killurley West, Caherciveen.
Mr Sweetman claims the granting of permission contravenes the EU Habitats Directive, while Mr Clifford raises specific concerns about the decision to omit two sections of the greenway and how this will impact on his land.
The second application has been lodged by the Greenway Information Group, which is made up of landowners whose holdings will be affected by the proposed 32-kilometre greenway from Glenbeigh to Renard.
Yesterday, in the High Court, Mr Justice Richard Humphreys formally granted permission for both judicial reviews.
The Irish Examiner reports that Kerry County Council sought for the hearings to be held at the earliest possible date due to concerns about the potential impact to tourism and funding for the project.
Mr Justice Humphreys set a provisional hearing date of March 9th, despite concerns from both parties bringing the legal challenges that it would not provide enough time for them to prepare.
