The long running saga of the proposed N52 Ardee Bypass took another twist last week with the news that a group calling themselves ‘Friends of Ardee Bog’ have lodged an appeal with the Supreme Court to review the An Bord Pleanála decision to grant Louth County Council planning permission to build the N52 Ardee Bypass through Ardee Bog without carrying out a full environmental impact assessment.
It seemed as though the path was clear last May for work on the bypass to begin when the High Court dismissed a judicial review brought by Friends of Ardee Bog, which challenged An Bord Pleanála’s decision that neither an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) nor a Natura Impact Statement (NIS) was required for the proposed bypass.
In November, those who have been championing the idea of a bypass were celebrating once again as ‘Friends of Ardee Bog’s’ legal challenge on the May ruling failed with Ms Justice Miriam O’Regan refusing the group the right to appeal. Those celebrations have been cut short once again however with the latest news of yet another appeal, this time in the Supreme Court, by the environmental group.
The development would see a 4.5km road built through a portion of Ardee bog which would alleviate the long standing issue of congestion through Ardee’s town centre. Friends of Ardee Bog insist they are all for alleviating the issue of traffic congestion through Ardee town but they argue that the proposed route comes with serious environmental concerns including impact of local habitat, carbon emissions from peat disturbance as well as the risk of flooding.
This saga has been over a quarter century in the making with Louth County Council and the National Roads Authority (now TII) first identifying a need for the bypass in 1999. While a Compulsory Purchase Order was confirmed for the development in 2006 the project didn’t begin again in earnest until 2018 when it was reactivated. The proposed project has been met with huge resistance however from the 150 strong ‘Friends of Ardee Group’ who have fought through the courts to halt the project and protect what they call ‘an ecological and cultural asset in Co. Louth’. A statement from the group confirmed that they have lodged an appeal with the Supreme Court with the view of ensuring Louth County Council carry out a full environmental impact assessment for the development.
“”Friends of Ardee Bog (FAB) a community group based in Ardee County Louth, have lodged an appeal with the Supreme Court to review the An Bord Pleanála decision to grant Louth County Council planning permission to build the N52 Ardee Bypass through Ardee Bog without carrying out a full environmental impact assessment.
Friends of Ardee Bog is a group made up of people living on and near Ardee Bog, including; farmers, archaeologists, hydrologists, ecologists, retired people, artists and other people nationwide who want to protect this ecological and cultural asset in County Louth.
“FAB are calling for a review into the planning decision and call for Louth County Council to conduct a full environmental impact assessment of the site.
“FAB fully recognise that a traffic solution for Ardee is badly needed. We live here and deal with the challenge of congestion daily. FAB supports a better bypass solution, which will redirect an additional 7000+ HGVs away from the town centre. The design drawings for this alternative, more effective, route with minimal environmental impact have to date not been given due consideration.
“FAB’s position aligns with EU legislation including Nature Restoration Law (NRL) 2024, Biodiversity Strategy 2020; Water Framework Directive (WFD) 2000; Natura 2000; Habitats Directive 1992; Birds Directive 1979. Breaches of these legally binding directives will result in huge fines, paid by the taxpayer. Ireland has already been referred to the Court of Justice of the European Union in March 2024 for failing to fully apply the Habitats Directive.
“Furthermore the N52 plan contradicts Louth county development plan 2021-2027* since Ardee Bog pNHA is of grade B national importance designated by Louth Wetlands Survey 2011.
“The bypass route favoured by FAB takes more traffic out of the town while preserving unique habitats essential for the survival of species endangered on a global scale. If valued and nurtured these wild spaces offer untold potential for recreation, eco-economics, mental and physical health, education and enjoyment.
“A naturally connected wetland system alleviates flooding, supports rivers in times of drought, absorbs carbon and improves air and water quality. Building in a flood plain is expensive and does not make sense. FAB welcomes a frank and factual discussion to find a practical and sustainable solution to the traffic problem Ardee faces. FAB is fighting against poor design and bad decision making, not the Ardee community, which we are part of.
Friends of Ardee Bog chairperson, Fiona Crawley, says the abuse towards members of her group over their decision to lodge an appeal to the Supreme Court has been tough on everybody but she and her fellow members feel like they have to be a voice for the wildlife in the bog that are in danger if the road goes ahead.
“It’s been very difficult for us as despite what is being said on social media most of us live in Ardee and we are getting abused by people we know over the stand we are taking. We are fully aware that a traffic solution for the town is needed but what we are saying is the proposed route is flawed and there are alternatives. It needs to be looked at again. Planning permission was granted for this project back in 1999 without the need for an Environmental Impact Assessment Report but we know more now about the effects on wildlife and the bog itself a development like this will cause so why can’t Louth County Council call for a Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) or a Natura Impact Statement (NIS)?
“I was born and reared beside this bog and cut turf on it and my link to the bog goes back to my great great grandparents.
“Myself and my parents lived beside the bog until 1977 when our house went on fire so we have a huge connection to that area. I live in Ardee now and it’s hard to see people you may have been friendly with before ignore you on the street or say nasty stuff about you online. We are fighting here for what is right and we are determined to see it through. If we don’t get the answers we are looking for in the Supreme Court we will discuss our next options which will probably see us engage with the EU courts. We are standing up for the ecosystem of that bog that doesn’t have a voice. It’s not like a forest where you can replant trees. A bog is a finite resource and has an ecosytem that has been developed over thousands of years. As well as the environmental effect there is also a financial threat to the country with a risk of fines from the EU for not complying with climate regulations. We are the people of Ardee and we are just a group of ordinary people made up of artists, botanists, engineers, archaeologists who love where we live and want to protect it. Again I want to re-iterate that we do recognise the need for a bypass but what we are saying is that the proposed route is very flawed and needs to be looked at again,” concluded Fiona.
Meanwhile, Fine Gael County Councillor, Dolores Minogue has stated that while she respects the right of anybody to raise concerns over the project, the community’s needs should be prioritised above all else.
“I understand that there are differing opinions on the proposed bypass, but I strongly disagree with the decision to take this issue to the Supreme Court. This project is essential for addressing the growing traffic problems in our area, improving safety, and supporting the local economy,” stated Dolores.
“Delaying or halting its progress could have severe repercussions for our community, including increased congestion, longer travel times, and a lack of necessary infrastructure. While I respect the right to raise concerns, I believe that blocking the bypass would ultimately harm us in the long run, and we should prioritize the needs of our community over further legal delays.”