Landowners at Ireland West Airport Knock, where a special development zone is being mooted to ensure the future development of the airport and surrounding lands, are concerned about the details of a deal being offered to them.
The 16 landowners have asked Mayo County Council, through local Councillor Gerry Murray, to brief them further on the share package they are being offered for their land.
Cllr Murray said the farmers are not happy to give their land to a company in return for shares “written on a piece of paper” without further consultation.
Paddy Mahon, director of services for the area, said the Government is still examining the SDZ proposal. He said all of the landowners were met before the final submission was sent to the Department before Christmas and he said there was no obligation on any of them to partake in the scheme.
He said only a proposal has been made at this stage and nothing had been approved yet.
In relation to the SDZ Mr Mahon said it will be the first if its kind in Ireland if approved. There are examples of such zones around regional airports in the UK where landowners and airports came together to improve the area around the airport.
