PLANS
for a major housing development in the West Sligo seaside resort of
Enniscrone, which attracted some intense local opposition and critical
observations from a number of public bodies, have been approved by the
board members of An Bord Pleanala.
Permission for the
development of 200 housing units, three retail units and a creche at
Carrowhubbock South, off the Enniscrone-Easkey road and eight miles
from Ballina had been applied for by the Hannon family and approved by
Sligo County Council.
This decision was appealed to An Bord
Pleanala by Brendan and Deirdre Quinn and others. The planning board’s
inspector, Emer Doyle recommended refusal but she was directed by the
Bord members to draw up “rea-ons, considerations and conditions” for a
grant of permission with conditions.
The site in question is
of 9.51 hectares and is currently being used for agricultural purposes.
It is divided into a number of fields by stone walls. There are a
number of recorded monuments in the vicinity of the site. Observations
on the planning application/appeal were made to An Bord Pleanala by
Jerry and Carmel Reynolds, Failte Ireland, The Heritage Council, An
Taisce and the North Western Regional Fisheries Board.
The
objectors said the proposed development was premature and unsustainable
in terms of the town’s short to medium term housing need. The said the
houses would be too close to existing houses on the eastern boundary
and the style of houses and three storey apartments would be out of
line with existing house styles in the area.
They said the
development would create traffic problems, would affect archaeological
sites and monuments. It would have a negative affect on water supply
and sewage treatment. Enniscrone was awash with empty houses and did
not need this development.
They also said the Bord must take
the views of local people, and the level of local opposition, into
account and pointed out that 39 written submissions were received
including one signed by 213 people.
The Bord’s inspector
considered the development would result in an over supply of houses in
the area and would result in empty houses. She was of he view the
development was unsustainable and would result in undesirable commuting
patterns having regard to the poor employment opportunities and limited
levels of public transport in the area. She was of the view a housing
estate of the size and scale proposed would damage the tourist industry
in Enniscrone.
She noted that the applicants proposed measures
to increase the water supply and pressure and that a new sewerage
treatment plant was expected by the second quarter of 2008.
The
Board of An Bord Pleanala granted permission, saying that in deciding
not to accept the inspector’s recommendation to refuse permission, the
board had regard to the zoning of the site, the designation of
Enniscrone as a key support town in the Sligo County Council
development plan, the proposed use of the houses for permanent
residential occupation, the upgrading of the sewage treatment plant,
and considered that, subject to conditions, including phasing, the
proposed development would be an acceptable form of development at this
location.
(c) Western People
PLANS
for a major housing development in the West Sligo seaside resort of
Enniscrone, which attracted some intense local opposition and critical
observations from a number of public bodies, have been approved by the
board members of An Bord Pleanala.
Published in
Planning
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