A proposed route for a cycle way, or greenway, between Athlone and Galway is causing concern for a number of landowners in the Kilcolgan area of Galway.
Aoife McCabe, a young farmer from Kilcolgan, owns nearly 30 acres of agricultural land in the area, where she farms purebred Zwartbles, commercial sheep and horses.
The land has been identified as the preferred corridor for the proposed greenway and maps show how all routes proposed would affect their land.
The farm is among one of four farms in the area which would be affected by the development.
Aoife is calling for greater consultation between the council and her family on this greenway proposal.
There has been no direct communication with, nor have they had their concerns addressed by, the council since two initial consultation meetings took place in February, she said.
Galway County Council had a meeting this week with home owners in the area but the land owners were not invited to the meeting.
Aoife said a neighbour told them their land was in the proposed greenway route, "we didn't know about it until then".
"I have had sleepless nights during this very stressful time. We are not against a greenway but we do need to be consulted during the process and need a meeting with county council officials. My business, Atlantic Stables will be gone completely if this happens."
Galway County Council officials have moved to defend the level of consultation with landowners over the planned greenway, as some in the south and east of the county push for group meetings and responses to their objection letters regarding the development of a 140km greenway between Galway and Athlone.
In a statement, Galway Council officials said at this stage of the process, all that has been identified is a "preferred corridor", not a specific route.
They further stated that within that corridor there are many possible routes, so as of yet individual landholdings have not been finalised.
It concluded that every effort will be made to minimise the number of private land holdings directly affected by the proposed greenway.
