This article is from page 14 of the 2006-07-18 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 14 JPG
A PLANNING row centering on the home of one of Clare’s best-known builders, Seamus Lynch, is to be heard by An Bord Pleanala.
The multimillionaire’s home includes a four-storey round tower with a copper roof metres away from the main home.
It is located on the prestigious Showgrounds Road overlooking the Cahercalla area in Ennis with panoramic views of the wider area.
Last year, Mr Lynch sought planning retention for additions to the home.
Despite opposition from residents in the Willsgrove estate, he was granted permission for everything but a septic tanks
Among their grievances, the residents are angry at the tower being lit up at night.
In a submission to the council, Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr Tom Reynolds said, “The whole tower and back of the site is lit up like a national monument.”
Dr Reynolds and other Willsgrove residents have appealed the decision to An Bord Pleanala, stating, “We would like to emphasise that this whole unfortunate affair has been hugely distressing to us and has put a considerable strain on our faith in the local planning authority.
“The fact that the issue of significantly elevated land on an already elevated site, atop a steep hill, behind a residential estate has not even been addressed by the relevant planning authority, is almost unbelievable to us. . . . It would appear that those of us who have been negatively impacted by the development have been unable to enjoy the same level of consideration by the statutory authority as the developer, who constructed a number of things that seriously compromise the amenity of our homes and who did so without the benefit of relevant planning permission.”
In a separate submission to the council prior to a decision being made, Dr Reynolds stated that “thus far, all advantage seems to have been afforded the party who actually breached planning law. I would suggest it is now time to give our concerns all the necessary, substantial and primary consideration.
Mr Lynch is the Managing Director of Michael Lynch Ltd, one of the most successful construction firms in the Mid-West. The Lynch family own a number of hotels. Mr Lynch was unavailable for comment yesterday as he was away.