IN RESPONSE to concerns expressed by local _ resi- dents, An Bord Pleanala this week turned down planning permission for contentious plans to provide accommo- dation for students at Drum- geely, Shannon.
Earlier this year, Anthony Fitzpatrick was refused plan- ning permission by Clare County Council for 32 accom- modation units at Drumgeely after strong opposition by lo- cal residents.
Along with the 32 units, Mr Fitzpatrick also lodged plans for a basement car parking area for 54 spaces and two tennis courts which are to be constructed over the car park area.
In response to the Coun- cil decision, Mr Fitzpatrick lodged an appeal to An Bord Pleanala, claiming that he is providing substantial com- munity facilities within the area in line with Ministerial Directives and National Strat- egy and that the scheme will serve to facilitate the College of Hotel and Catering Man- agement.
Mr Fitzpatrick also claimed
that the design of the develop- ment is respectful of the sur- rounding built form and fur- ther claimed that the Council has not given fair considera- tion of the application, nor the planned strategic development of residential and community uses in this area.
However, in submissions made to An Bord Pleanala by Drumgeely Residents Asso- ciation and Derek Barrett, it is claimed there is no comfort that the units will not be sold as private apartments. They also express concern over the disruption caused by construc- tion of the apartments.
However, in his assessment, the Board Inspector concluded that the proposal would be a material contravention of the Development Plan.
The Inspector also stated that he was “extremely con- cerned” with the proposal for access into the proposed de- velopment, and the proposal for car parking within the scheme.
In refusing planning per- mission, the appeals board ruled that proposed develop- ment constitutes overdevelop- ment of this central area of Open space within an estab-
lished residential scheme. The proposed development would result in a significant and un- acceptable loss of amenity within this residential area, and would have a significant and adverse impact on the res- idential amenity of the area. The proposed development would, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of detour acre
It also ruled that the pro- posed development is located on lands zoned primarily to conserve and enhance land for Open space and amenity pur- poses in the South Clare Eco- nomic Corridor Local Area Plan. The proposed develop- ment would materially contra- vene this zoning objective.
The Board also found that the proposed tennis courts, having regard to their prox- imity to a number of the apartments, would seriously injure the amenities of future residents by reason of noise and general disturbance. The proposed development would, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and_= sus- tainable development of the
aTCa.