Fine Gael frontbench deputy James Reilly is among landowners facing the compulsory acquisition of their land to facilitate a new service area on the M1 motorway. The land will be purchased using compulsory purchase order (CPO) powers.

The land has been earmarked by the National Roads Authority for the development of a dedicated service area on the M1 motorway northwest of Lusk in north Co Dublin.

Reilly was among a number of landowners who lodged objections to the scheme. A Fine Gael spokeswoman confirmed that Reilly owned a portion of the land subject to the compulsory purchase order, saying that it was part of a family farm, but would make no further comment.

A slip road from the motorway would provide access to facilities including parking for cars, heavy goods vehicles and coaches; fuel facilities; toilets; a convenience shop; a restaurant/food outlet and a picnic or children's play area.

In an objection lodged on Reilly's behalf, solicitor Celine Reilly said the family farm had been in the ownership of the McDonnell/Reilly family for over five generations.

The proposed development would involve the largescale surface parking of cars, heavy-goods vehicles and coaches in an unserviced area where there are no sanitary services, she added, and would subject local residents to urbanised lighting and noise on a 24-hour basis "bringing problems of disturbance and security".

There was also concern that the pollution and noise generated could have a significant impact on farm animals and crops, she said.

The inspector, Brendan Devlin, recommended that An Bord Pleanála modify the plans to remove plots belonging to a number of landowners including Dr Reilly from the scheme, because the NRA had made an insufficient case for their acquisition.

However, the planning authority chose to reject the modifications, leaving the original scheme intact.