This article is from page 16 of the 2006-05-30 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 16 JPG
OWNERS of the Two Mile Inn Hotel on the Clare/Limerick border have had plans to construct a new phase to the premises turned down by An Bord Pleanála.
The long-established hotel was seeking planning permission to construct a two-storey leisure facility associated with the existing hotel including a swimming pool, beauty facility, fitness suite, games and entertainment centre, six all-weather pitches and car parking spaces.
Last year, Clare County Council refused planning permission for the development and the decision was appealed to An Bord Pleanála.
However, in its decision, the appeals board ruled that “it is considered that the large volume of additional traffic movements likely to be generated by this development, combined with that generated by existing and permitted development on the site, would interfere with the safety and free flow of traffic on this road”.
As the site adjoins the N18 roadway at a point where a speed limit of 100 km/h applies, the board ruled that, “the proposed development would endanger public safety by reason of traffic hazard”.
An Bord Pleanála also ruled that “the design and scale of the proposed development fails to integrate visually with existing development on the site, would appear as an incongruous and discordant element in this rural area and would seriously injure the visual amenities of the area. The proposed development would, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.”
The board upheld the recommendation of its inspector. The inspector stated, “I consider that the proposed sports, leisure and entertainment facility will depend significantly upon public access and patronage, rather than functioning solely as an ancillary element of the hotel complex.
“In this regard, I have grave concerns that the proposed means of access from the subject site for eastbound traffic, relying upon an unregulated U-turn across the busy N18 corridor, will have a significant and adverse impact upon public safety.
“However, larger-scale and more extensive or visually prominent schemes on the subject site, whether associated with the hotel operation or otherwise, have been consistently refused. There is clearly an onus on the applicant to demonstrate that the reasons for refusal in those previous instances have now been overcome in respect of this instant proposal.”