This article is from page 34 of the 2006-01-03 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 34 JPG
THE tourism industry in north Clare has received a boost with An Bord Pleanala giving the go-ahead for a hotel and holiday homes in the coastal village of Ballyvaughan.
In the face of stiff opposition from locals, Megcourt Development Ltd has secured planning permission for a prime-quay site overlooking Ballyvaughan Bay, 100 metres north of Monks pub. The development is to include a hotel and wellness centre, conference centre and 22 holiday homes.
The inspector in the case had recommended that the board refuse permission for the holiday homes, but this was overuled.
Clare County Council had granted planning permission for the scheme earlier this year.
However, Brendan & Katherine O’Donoghue, Lisnanard, Ballyvaughan, owners of lands immediately to the west of the site, and the Ballyvaughan Development Association appealed to An Bord Pleanala.
They claimed that the proposal is premature pending upgrading of the sewerage treatment system; that the holiday homes are out of character with existing development and that there has been an over-developed in Ballyvaughan of tax-incentive-led holiday homes where there are currently more holiday homes than permanent homes in the village.
The appellants were supported by An Taisce who pointed to the visual impact of the proposal and that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) should be lodged with the proposal.
Five years ago, Megcourt was refused planning for a hotel on the same site by the appeals board, due to the inadequate public water and public sewage system in the area.
The inspector in the present case concluded that the proposal “will not result in the destruction of the species and that the extent of development proposed is a generally modest intrusion into the significantly greater Burren landscape. Overall, I am satisfied that the hotel and wellness centre is of appropriate scale for the site, does not detract from the character of the existing buildings along this road, and will contribute, in urban design terms, to the quality of the built environment.”
However, in relation to the holiday homes, the Inspector recommended refusal, stating that they would have an unacceptable visual impact upon the scenic amenities and character of this coastal area.
In deciding to grant permission, the appeals board ruled that the entire proposal “would not seriously injure the amenities of the area, would not be prejudicial to public health, and would be acceptable in terms of traffic safety”.