PLANS by former developer Joe McNamara to retain his
controversial 'Achill-henge' project have been dashed after An Bord
Plenala refused his retention application.
Mr McNamara had
appealed Mayo County Council's decision that the structure required
planning permission. He claimed the Stonehenge-like build was exempt
from planning laws as it was an “ornamental garden”.
However, An Bord Pleanala
has now ruled that the structure is not an exempted development. The
body sided with Mayo County Council, ruling that the structure was a
development in planning terms and required planning permission.
Mr
McNamara constructed the structure, which is known locally as
Achill-henge, over the course of one weekend at Pollagh on Achill Island
last November. He had no planning permission for the build but had
argued that it was exempt from planning laws.
In ruling against Mr
McNamara's appeal, An Bord Pleanala said; “the scheme in question
constitutes development by virtue of the substantial nature of the
excavation and construction works involved.”
Mayo County Council said it would now consider the matter in the coming days.
Mayo
County Council brought a High Court injunction against Mr McNamara's
continued work at the site last December. The former developer was
jailed for three nights at that time after he was found to be in
contempt of a court order requiring him to cease working on the
structure.
The High Court later ruled that An Bord Pleanala should
make the final decision on the future of the site. However, the
structure has proved a draw for tourists and many locals believe it
unlikely that Mr McNamara will remove it.
The structure is 4.5 metres high and 30 metres in diameter.
Mr McNamara has previously described the structure as “a place of reflection”.
- Caroline Crawford
Read the article @ The Irish Independent
Posted by bps town planning consultants
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