Number of county council 'cow plots' to be put up for sale
LOCAL AUTHORITY LAND RENTED TO FARMERS
COW Plots, or small parcels of land owned by a Local Authority and traditionally rented to local farmers for grazing use in many cases, have been identified in a county-wide report carried out by Martin Rogers on behalf of Meath County Council.
240 acres approximately of Cow Plots have been listed in County Meath. Each plot was checked and described under various headings, with some deemed suitable for sale.
The four Cow Plots in the Slane Area in Footstown, Creewood, Syddn and Lobinstown are deemed to be for sale. Funds from the sale are to be used specifically for the location in question. The land will be valued by independent auctioneers.
Paul Monaghan, outgoing Area Administrator, said that he has finally received the report which recommends that Meath County Council sells the plots. ' But first we have to check with Planning and Housing Depts to see if they may require them,' he added. ' It would be preferable to dispose of the four blocks at the same time.'
' The sale must be transparent, it must be public and open with no private sale,' said Cllr Ann Dillon Gallagher. 'But what about the people already using them, who have farmed them for years? Could we accept tenders from them?' enquired Cllr Wayne Harding.
'We have no other choice in the current economic climate than to place the plots on the open market. It is very significant that the money goes back into the community,' replied Area Manager Fiona Lawless, reading from the report, 'Examine development potential. 1) report to be prepared by Planning Dept for Recreation or Community facility, 2) Depending on recommendation in the report that it is to be disposed of on the open market.'
'In the past groups were given the Cow Plots for nothing!' said Cllr Jimmy Cudden. 'Football clubs and suchlike do a lot for the local community and I would hate to see clubs losing out to some big developers.'
'It's up to the members to decide how to use the money. Members can divide what is to be sold and if some land has good potential for community use, they can recommend it. I will be led by what the members recommend and what is best for Meath County Council. We don't want people occupying the land without agreements,' concluded Ms Lawless.
