Cork County Council should go back and review a proposed route for the Cork to Kinsale greenway with landowners and homeowners, according to a Bandon-based councillor.

Cllr Gillian Coughlan (FF) was speaking at this week’s meeting of the local authority and noted the disquiet and anger among people living along the emerging preferred route, some of whom were in attendance at the meeting.

She called on the council to commit to reviewing the route in consultation with landowners so at to minimise the material impact on agricultural and private holdings.

Cllr Danny Collins (Ind Ire) supported her motion but warned that he can see the same thing happening on the proposed greenway stretch between Skibbereen and Ballydehob.

‘I’ve met landowners and homeowners who are asking me questions about it and they are worried,’ he said.

While keen to stress that protest is the kernel of democracy and that the protest group were respectful in most instances, Cllr Coughlan along with some of her colleagues and staff were subjected to some unsavoury comments and abuse.

‘I want it on record that there is deep anger and opposition out there and farm holdings in this emerging route are being compromised. We could with hindsight have painstakingly knocked on doors and speak to people and look at maps. Maybe we could have had a better outcome here,’ she said.

‘However, the goodwill has been lost in this route and as it stands we don’t have a chance in getting it over the line.’ Cllr Coughlan proposed that they go back to TII and call on them to proceed on any greenway route in increments.

‘We cannot place a greenway through somebody’s business, it has to be in consultation with landowners so as to minimise the material impact on agriculture and private holdings.’

Her colleague, Cllr Patrick O’Donovan, seconded the motion and said there has been a lot of upset.

‘I’m in favour of greenways and there are great economic and tourism benefits but we do need to take a step back and look at the opposition and upset from this,’ said Cllr O’Donovan.

‘It is concerning that 1,700 letters were sent out with some having gone to the wrong addresses. I would like to get a timeline for the next step in this proposal.

Cllr Alan Coleman (Ind) proposed that the council executive meet with a small delegation living along the emerging preferred route along with the chairs of both Bandon Kinsale and Carrigaline Municipal Districts.