This article is from page 6 of the 2006-02-21 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 6 JPG
AN Bord Pleanala has refused planning permission for a hotel in Lahinch after concern was expressed that the proposal would lead to an escalation of the unsocial behaviour that has been on the increase in the area in recent times.
Last August, Clare County Council granted planning permission to William Stackpoole, to demolish an existing cottage on Lahinch’s Main Street and replace it with a 16 bedroom hotel, including a bar and restaurant.
However, the plan was put on hold after Donal and Pat Kenny of Kenny’s Woollen Mills appealed the council’s decision to An Bord Pleanala, stating that in the adjacent access lane to the proposed hotel, there were problems of unsocial behaviour following discos.
The appeal stated: “They fear that the provision of this additional covered area and further closing in the laneway between the two buildings, will provide an additional shelter for people to congregate following discos and result in an escalation of the unsocial behaviour, which has been on the increase in this area in recent times.”
The Kennys expressed concern that the building, as proposed, was a four storey structure and its scale and massing was out of character with the remainder of the buildings on the streetscape. They also claimed that the proposed development would result in a loss of privacy.
An Bord Pleanala’s inspector in the case found that the proposal would seriously injure the amenities of, and devalue, property in the vicinity by reason of overlooking neighbouring property to the north. The Inspector also recommended that planning be refused because of excessive site coverage. It was considered the proposal would constitute an overdevelopment of a restricted urban site and would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
The board upheld the recommendation.