This article is from page 15 of the 2006-04-11 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 15 JPG
AN English company has failed to secure the go ahead for a “Wellness” destination spa hotel near Killaloe.
An Bord Pleanala has refused planning permission to Unfinity Ltd., of Worcestershire, England to develop a 28-bedroom hotel on 37 acres of land.
Last August, Clare County Council refused the application, ruling that the proposal would seriously injure the amenities of the area and generate dangerous traffic congestion on local roads.
The council’s planners also warned that the development’s scale, siting and design would fail to integrate into the rural landscape.
In their appeal to An Bord Pleanala, the company said their proposal was aimed at a niche market known as “Wellness” destination spas.
“The destination spa’s sole purpose is to provide guests with lifestyle improvement and health enhancement through professionally administered spa services, physical fitness, educational programming and on-site accommodation.
The Board refused planning permission on a number of grounds following their inspector’s recommendation to refuse.
The Board stated that the site of the proposal was located outside any identified settlement in a rural area under development pressure and it was the policy of the council to encourage the development of integrated tourist facilities in, or adjacent to, existing settlements.
“This policy is considered reasonable. It is considered that the proposed development, located in a rural area lacking certain services and infrastructure, would militate against the preservation of the rural environment and, by reason of its scale, setting and design, would fail to integrate into the landscape and would seriously injure the visual amenities of the area.
“The proposed development would, therefore, contravene the provisions of the Development Plan and would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.”