This article is from page 6 of the 2006-10-10 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 6 JPG
LOCAL residents in south-east Clare have voiced their opposition against plans by wellknown local businessman, Peter Stritch, to construct a helicopter landing pad at Clonlara.
In response to the plan, Dr David Beckett said, “My family are already disturbed by the current helicopter activity and the smell of aviation fuel.
“Peter Stritch has been operating a commercial helicopter company under the name of Alpine Helicopters from this site for nearly three years and the business is growing.
“Many different helicopters use this site. They fly in all directions, all year round and seven days a week. In July of this year, a new helicopter was delivered in a container and assembled on site . . . The request for a new helipad is further evidence of increasing helicopter business activity,” said Dr Beckett.
In their objection, Joseph and Geraldine Quinlivan have told the council, “At the moment, we have helicopters flying over and around our house on a regular basis.
“We have been taking note of the amount of times and the times the helicopters have flown over and around our house since the end of August – it is at least 35 times in one day. . . “The area where we live is a built-up residential area and in our opinion a helicopter landing area would be totally unsuitable for it. Since the helicopters have started flying in and out to the Stritch farm we have had no privacy in our own back yard and sometimes, we can’t hear each other speak.
“We are also worried that should you grant planning permission for the helicopter landing area, the value of our house would greatly depreciate.”
Mr Stritch has told the council that the new helipad would be for own use and that the flight-path is not over any homes.
A decision is due on the application later this year.