A GROUP of Killarney pharmacists has lodged yet another objection to a local GP-led healthcare centre.
An appeal has been submitted to An Bord Pleanála by pharmacists opposing the change of use of two blocks at the Killarney Primary Care Centre (KPCC) for a medical centre and the subdivision of a ground floor unit to accommodate a pharmacy/café and medical centre.
GPs claimed yesterday that planning objections will stop the roll-out of additional healthcare facilities planned for the KPCC, at the Reeks Gateway.
One of the GPs, Dr Gary Stack, said: "We view this latest development as an attempt by vested interests to thwart the provision of modern-day medical care.
"Due to time considerations in the planning process, it will now be a minimum of another four months before we can progress our plans to add essential services like an x-ray unit, physiotherapy, podiatry and occupational therapy, as well as facilities for visiting consultants."
KPCC employs 59 people at the one-stop premises, which combines five GP practices and a pharmacy and caters for an estimated 25,000 patients.
Read the article @ The Irish Examiner
www.bpsplanningconsultants.ie
Showing posts with label kerry planning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kerry planning. Show all posts
Tuesday, 6 December 2011
Monday, 17 October 2011
Plan to freeze 108 hectares of zoned lands in Killarney
A PLAN goes before the public in Killarney this week to freeze more than 108 hectares of land zoned residential in the current town development plan which was drafted during the boom.
Rezoning of lands by the town council proved highly controversial in the past decade.
Killarney has 133.5 hectares of land zoned for residential development, when it needs just over 25 hectares for realistic population growth of 2,000 people by 2016.
The town has enough land zoned residential to cater for almost six times its realistic population growth, planners have found after carrying out an assessment to bring local policy into line with national guidelines.
The planners have selected the 25.4 hectares which they say should be allowed to be developed over the next four years in what they designate as “phase one” development, and they are putting on display the 108 hectares they intend to freeze or lock down for the next four years.
The selection is mainly on the basis of whether there is live planning permission on the lands. Most of those lands in the 25 hectares have current permission.
However, the preference is causing unease among town councillors. The lockdown will run until the next development plan at least.
Fianna Fáil councillor Niall O’Callaghan raised concerns some of the lands which the planners say should be allowed to be developed in the next four years were in the control of the National Asset Management Agency (Nama). If Nama were in charge or about to take charge of some of these land parcels, they should be removed from the list, he said. The plan would mean proposals for the locked-down or phase two lands would not be considered until all planning permissions were taken up on the phase one lands.
Senior planner Fiona O’Sullivan said the council was going down the lock-down or “phasing route”, rather than dezoning the excess.
Infrastructure such as water supply and road network was a criterion in selecting phase one lands, she said. Visually sensitive lands were put into the second phase. Ms O’Sullivan conceded there was little interest now in developing even phase one lands.
Labour councillor Seán O’Grady said much of the selection was “unnatural” in that some of the parcels proposed for development were far from the core of the town, while some of the “frozen” lands were in the heart of the town.
Irish Times
www.bpsplanningconsultants.ie
Rezoning of lands by the town council proved highly controversial in the past decade.
Killarney has 133.5 hectares of land zoned for residential development, when it needs just over 25 hectares for realistic population growth of 2,000 people by 2016.
The town has enough land zoned residential to cater for almost six times its realistic population growth, planners have found after carrying out an assessment to bring local policy into line with national guidelines.
The planners have selected the 25.4 hectares which they say should be allowed to be developed over the next four years in what they designate as “phase one” development, and they are putting on display the 108 hectares they intend to freeze or lock down for the next four years.
The selection is mainly on the basis of whether there is live planning permission on the lands. Most of those lands in the 25 hectares have current permission.
However, the preference is causing unease among town councillors. The lockdown will run until the next development plan at least.
Fianna Fáil councillor Niall O’Callaghan raised concerns some of the lands which the planners say should be allowed to be developed in the next four years were in the control of the National Asset Management Agency (Nama). If Nama were in charge or about to take charge of some of these land parcels, they should be removed from the list, he said. The plan would mean proposals for the locked-down or phase two lands would not be considered until all planning permissions were taken up on the phase one lands.
Senior planner Fiona O’Sullivan said the council was going down the lock-down or “phasing route”, rather than dezoning the excess.
Infrastructure such as water supply and road network was a criterion in selecting phase one lands, she said. Visually sensitive lands were put into the second phase. Ms O’Sullivan conceded there was little interest now in developing even phase one lands.
Labour councillor Seán O’Grady said much of the selection was “unnatural” in that some of the parcels proposed for development were far from the core of the town, while some of the “frozen” lands were in the heart of the town.
Irish Times
www.bpsplanningconsultants.ie
Thursday, 2 June 2011
HSE to review removal of statue at Kerry hospital
THE HEALTH Service Executive has been forced to revisit a decision to remove a religious statue from the facade of a Kerry hospital last year, following a ruling this week by An Bord Pleanála.
The board ruled that the removal of the statue was not an “exempted development”, and would require planning permission.
A war of words erupted in March 2010 when the statue, which had been in situ at the landmark Killarney Community Hospital for more than 70 years, was taken down.
It was later relocated to the grounds of the hospital by the HSE but a vociferous campaign, led by mayor of Killarney Cllr Donal Grady, to have the statue returned to its original resting place has this week seen the planning appeals board step into the row.
Killarney Town Council decided in January that the removal of the statue was an “exempted development” that would not require planning permission. This decision was referred to An Bord Pleanála by Mr Grady and the board overturned it.
The HSE had argued that the statue was removed for health and safety reasons, and told the board that, as it was mounted on the flat-roof structure, it did not alter the character of the building structure.
In its ruling, however, the board said the statue constituted a prominent element in the external appearance of Killarney Community Hospital and contributed significantly to the character of the structure.
It also ruled that the removal of the statue materially affects the structure so as “to render the appearance inconsistent with the character of the structure”.
The decision has been welcomed by the mayor: “I always felt it was taken down wrongfully, and that it would have needed planning.
“I always felt they were taking away a part of the history of the town. The ball is in their court now. If I were them, I would put back the statue.”
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The board ruled that the removal of the statue was not an “exempted development”, and would require planning permission.
A war of words erupted in March 2010 when the statue, which had been in situ at the landmark Killarney Community Hospital for more than 70 years, was taken down.
It was later relocated to the grounds of the hospital by the HSE but a vociferous campaign, led by mayor of Killarney Cllr Donal Grady, to have the statue returned to its original resting place has this week seen the planning appeals board step into the row.
Killarney Town Council decided in January that the removal of the statue was an “exempted development” that would not require planning permission. This decision was referred to An Bord Pleanála by Mr Grady and the board overturned it.
The HSE had argued that the statue was removed for health and safety reasons, and told the board that, as it was mounted on the flat-roof structure, it did not alter the character of the building structure.
In its ruling, however, the board said the statue constituted a prominent element in the external appearance of Killarney Community Hospital and contributed significantly to the character of the structure.
It also ruled that the removal of the statue materially affects the structure so as “to render the appearance inconsistent with the character of the structure”.
The decision has been welcomed by the mayor: “I always felt it was taken down wrongfully, and that it would have needed planning.
“I always felt they were taking away a part of the history of the town. The ball is in their court now. If I were them, I would put back the statue.”
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Monday, 7 February 2011
Kerry An Taisce agm told of ghost estates
OVERDEVELOPMENT IN Kerry has resulted in dozens of so-called “ghost estates” half-finished and abandoned, and well outside town and village boundaries.
Some of the most “striking” of these leftover developments are in the county’s most scenic tourist parts, the annual general meeting of the Kerry association of An Taisce has heard.
An Taisce was severely criticised by developers and their promoters during the Celtic Tiger period, but was probably now being thanked for saving some from going under, the meeting in Killarney also heard. There were 35 ghost estates in Kerry and this and other overdevelopment were a result of overgenerous zoning in local area plans.
“The problem was exacerbated by councillors adding in even more land at the behest of other landowners and there was massive over- zoning,” Dr Catherine McMullin, honorary planning officer with An Taisce told the meeting. The most striking of the ghost estates was outside Castlemaine, on the Dingle road, a major tourist route, she said. In 2000, permission was granted for 50 houses and four years later for a further 14 houses, as well as three apartments and a hotel.
However, the development was never included within the boundary of the village in the local area plan.
Most of the 50 houses are built to wall plate level, but some were only at foundation stage. Four blocks of two-storey houses had been built adjoining the main road but were not yet habitable.
“The whole development has been abandoned for the past few years and there is very little hope of it being completed,” she said.
Dr McMullin said she had heard of one developer toasting planners because they had refused him permission for a large development which, had they not refused him, would have gone ahead and landed him in Nama.
“During the boom period, An Taisce was often criticised for opposing development, but it is quite likely we also saved a few developers from landing in the same trouble,” she added.
The meeting heard how a large extension and holiday-home development granted by Kerry County Council at the Great Southern Hotel in Parknasilla owned by developer Bernard McNamara was “under-utilised”.
A further development of 104 holiday homes at the hotel was successfully appealed by An Taisce.
“It is quite likely the 104 holiday apartments, appealed to An Bord Pleanála by the Kerry Association of An Taisce, would also have been built and now be a liability for their owners,” Dr McMullin said.
She also outlined a number of large developments which the organisation had appealed, including a large commercial development in the grounds of the former Great Southern Hotel in Killarney, now the Malton. This was granted but had not gone ahead, she noted.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Some of the most “striking” of these leftover developments are in the county’s most scenic tourist parts, the annual general meeting of the Kerry association of An Taisce has heard.
An Taisce was severely criticised by developers and their promoters during the Celtic Tiger period, but was probably now being thanked for saving some from going under, the meeting in Killarney also heard. There were 35 ghost estates in Kerry and this and other overdevelopment were a result of overgenerous zoning in local area plans.
“The problem was exacerbated by councillors adding in even more land at the behest of other landowners and there was massive over- zoning,” Dr Catherine McMullin, honorary planning officer with An Taisce told the meeting. The most striking of the ghost estates was outside Castlemaine, on the Dingle road, a major tourist route, she said. In 2000, permission was granted for 50 houses and four years later for a further 14 houses, as well as three apartments and a hotel.
However, the development was never included within the boundary of the village in the local area plan.
Most of the 50 houses are built to wall plate level, but some were only at foundation stage. Four blocks of two-storey houses had been built adjoining the main road but were not yet habitable.
“The whole development has been abandoned for the past few years and there is very little hope of it being completed,” she said.
Dr McMullin said she had heard of one developer toasting planners because they had refused him permission for a large development which, had they not refused him, would have gone ahead and landed him in Nama.
“During the boom period, An Taisce was often criticised for opposing development, but it is quite likely we also saved a few developers from landing in the same trouble,” she added.
The meeting heard how a large extension and holiday-home development granted by Kerry County Council at the Great Southern Hotel in Parknasilla owned by developer Bernard McNamara was “under-utilised”.
A further development of 104 holiday homes at the hotel was successfully appealed by An Taisce.
“It is quite likely the 104 holiday apartments, appealed to An Bord Pleanála by the Kerry Association of An Taisce, would also have been built and now be a liability for their owners,” Dr McMullin said.
She also outlined a number of large developments which the organisation had appealed, including a large commercial development in the grounds of the former Great Southern Hotel in Killarney, now the Malton. This was granted but had not gone ahead, she noted.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Sunday, 2 January 2011
Planning query on Killarney medical centre
A PHARMACY in Killarney, Co Kerry, is asking An Bord Pleanála to rule on whether the town council’s decision to allow a major medical centre into a new multistorey building, originally planned for office and commercial use, needs planning permission.
The 105,000sq-ft glass-fronted Reeks Gateway, comprising multi-storey blocks at the northern entrance to Killarney, was built by developers Sundays Well Properties Ltd. The local company was granted permission in 2004 and it was built at the height of the boom, but was never fully occupied.
The modern building alongside the grey Gothic spires of the town have attracted much comment.
Last June most of the town’s GP practices, comprising 12 GPs, with the healthcare company Prime Healthcare Group, announced they were to fulfil a long-held ambition of a modern primary healthcare centre. They said they would take up 50,000sq ft of the Gateway – just under half of the development – at a cost of some €25 million. That move is now nearing completion.
Outpatient buildings and satellite services from hospitals in Cork and Kerry would be located there in what would be a one-stop shop for medical care, project spokesman and Killarney GP Dr Gary Stack said. The proposal would include “an ultra-modern pharmacy,” Dr Seán Maguire, Prime Healthcare’s managing director, also said in June.
Pharmacists in Killarney have been opposed to the plan, fearing for their livelihoods. In October, after a submission, Killarney Town Council ruled there was no distinction in the planning between a medical centre and commercial uses of the building and therefore the move to the Gateway centre did not require planning and was exempt.
Now agents on behalf of Cormac and Owen Deasy, Park Road Pharmacy, Countess Road, Killarney, have referred the matter to An Bord Pleanála.
They say there is “a clear distinction” between commercial and medical uses and that medical centres give rise to different planning issues than commercial office uses. Government policy was also against the co-location of retail pharmacies and medical centres, the pharmacists state.
The planning board is expected to rule in the new year.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The 105,000sq-ft glass-fronted Reeks Gateway, comprising multi-storey blocks at the northern entrance to Killarney, was built by developers Sundays Well Properties Ltd. The local company was granted permission in 2004 and it was built at the height of the boom, but was never fully occupied.
The modern building alongside the grey Gothic spires of the town have attracted much comment.
Last June most of the town’s GP practices, comprising 12 GPs, with the healthcare company Prime Healthcare Group, announced they were to fulfil a long-held ambition of a modern primary healthcare centre. They said they would take up 50,000sq ft of the Gateway – just under half of the development – at a cost of some €25 million. That move is now nearing completion.
Outpatient buildings and satellite services from hospitals in Cork and Kerry would be located there in what would be a one-stop shop for medical care, project spokesman and Killarney GP Dr Gary Stack said. The proposal would include “an ultra-modern pharmacy,” Dr Seán Maguire, Prime Healthcare’s managing director, also said in June.
Pharmacists in Killarney have been opposed to the plan, fearing for their livelihoods. In October, after a submission, Killarney Town Council ruled there was no distinction in the planning between a medical centre and commercial uses of the building and therefore the move to the Gateway centre did not require planning and was exempt.
Now agents on behalf of Cormac and Owen Deasy, Park Road Pharmacy, Countess Road, Killarney, have referred the matter to An Bord Pleanála.
They say there is “a clear distinction” between commercial and medical uses and that medical centres give rise to different planning issues than commercial office uses. Government policy was also against the co-location of retail pharmacies and medical centres, the pharmacists state.
The planning board is expected to rule in the new year.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Monday, 5 April 2010
Hearing on plan for power plant in Tarbert
A TWO-DAY oral hearing is to be held into the proposal by Spanish energy giant Endesa to build a power plant at the former ESB generating station in Tarbert on the Shannon estuary in Co Kerry.
The hearing into the 450MW natural-gas-fired combined cycle gas turbine is to take place on April 20th and 21st in Listowel, An Bord Pleanála has confirmed.
In late 2009, the planning board deemed the project as “strategic infrastructure”, meaning the proposal goes straight to An Bord Pleanála for a decision, with the local authority, Kerry County Council, playing a consultative role.
Three local authorities – Kerry, Limerick and Clare – are to be invited to make submissions to the hearing along with several environmental groups, including An Taisce, the Heritage Council, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Regional Fisheries Board.
Other bodies notified include Fáilte Ireland and the National Roads Authority, as well as a number of Government departments.
A decision on the proposal is due by the end of June this year.
The plan by Endesa to replace the 40-year-old ESB power plant at Tarbert with a smaller, more environmentally friendly natural- gas-powered plant will create 500 jobs at the peak of construction, a meeting of Kerry County Council was told recently.
There has been a broad welcome for the proposal for the plant, which is to be supplied by gas from a proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) regasification plant and import terminal (also on the estuary near Tarbert) by the Hess corporation.
This marks the area, which is largely owned by Shannon Development, as an energy hub.
Separate oral hearings were also held into the LNG proposal, into the terminal and the pipeline proposal to link the terminal to the national gas grid network 26km away at Foynes. Both were approved.
Both the LNG proposal and Endesa Ireland plant have been deemed to come under “strategic infrastructure” and are being fast-tracked to An Bord Pleanála.
Endesa will apply separately to the council for the demolition of the existing generation plant within six months of the commissioning of the new plant on the 104- acre site, according to a report to a recent county council meeting by planning director Michael McMahon.
Work had not yet started on the Hess LNG plant, as a foreshore licence is still awaited.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The hearing into the 450MW natural-gas-fired combined cycle gas turbine is to take place on April 20th and 21st in Listowel, An Bord Pleanála has confirmed.
In late 2009, the planning board deemed the project as “strategic infrastructure”, meaning the proposal goes straight to An Bord Pleanála for a decision, with the local authority, Kerry County Council, playing a consultative role.
Three local authorities – Kerry, Limerick and Clare – are to be invited to make submissions to the hearing along with several environmental groups, including An Taisce, the Heritage Council, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Regional Fisheries Board.
Other bodies notified include Fáilte Ireland and the National Roads Authority, as well as a number of Government departments.
A decision on the proposal is due by the end of June this year.
The plan by Endesa to replace the 40-year-old ESB power plant at Tarbert with a smaller, more environmentally friendly natural- gas-powered plant will create 500 jobs at the peak of construction, a meeting of Kerry County Council was told recently.
There has been a broad welcome for the proposal for the plant, which is to be supplied by gas from a proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) regasification plant and import terminal (also on the estuary near Tarbert) by the Hess corporation.
This marks the area, which is largely owned by Shannon Development, as an energy hub.
Separate oral hearings were also held into the LNG proposal, into the terminal and the pipeline proposal to link the terminal to the national gas grid network 26km away at Foynes. Both were approved.
Both the LNG proposal and Endesa Ireland plant have been deemed to come under “strategic infrastructure” and are being fast-tracked to An Bord Pleanála.
Endesa will apply separately to the council for the demolition of the existing generation plant within six months of the commissioning of the new plant on the 104- acre site, according to a report to a recent county council meeting by planning director Michael McMahon.
Work had not yet started on the Hess LNG plant, as a foreshore licence is still awaited.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Sunday, 28 March 2010
Fine Gael TD hints at corruption in An Bord Pleanála
A SUGGESTION OF possible corruption in An Bord Pleanála has been made in the Dáil by a Fine Gael TD. Kerry South deputy Tom Sheahan questioned the logic of members of the board rejecting an inspector's report to either recommend or refuse planning permission when they themselves "have not visited the site".
"Some people say to me - but I would not be that narrow-minded - that maybe there are members of the board who are taking money. Perhaps there are members of An Bord Pleanála who are taking money because they have never visited the site".
Mr Sheahan also hit out at what he called "serial objectors", who he believed should have to pay €200, rather than €20 to object to a planning application. He said he knew of one such objector who "took €25,000 in cash to withdraw an objection to planning permission for two family members on a holding". And he claimed "a lot of these people are aligned and associated with An Taisce and the Green Party".
He was speaking during the second stage debate of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009, which amends planning laws and aims to promote sustainable development.
Ceann Comhairle Séamus Kirk warned him that he had made a serious allegation against members of An Bord Pleanála. Mr Kirk noted Mr Sheahan had not made an allegation against an individual member but "it is inappropriate to make such an allegation under the protection of the House unless the deputy is in a position to substantiate it". Mr Sheahan said "I have said what I said and I stand by it".
He also said it was "ironic that a Green Minister is bringing this Bill before us because he is centralising power to himself". But Minister for the Environment John Gormley who replied to the debate, rejected this and said "that's just not the way we see it. It's the exact opposite in fact."
The Fine Gael TD said "when a planning file is appealed to An Bord Pleanála, an inspector will come to inspect on behalf of the board and write up recommendations".
The recommendation "goes before An Bord Pleanála and those sitting around the table, who have not visited the site, will refuse the inspector's report. How many times have deputies seen that happen? Is that logical and does it make sense?"
Mr Sheahan said "there are 22 ghost estates in Kerry". Planning "is a function of the executive and those involved made executive decisions to grant planning permission for those estates, yet the person seeking planning permission for a one-off rural house receives a blank 'No'. It's a shambles."
David Stanton (FG, Cork East) said that the houses in ghost estates could be used "to put a roof over the heads of people who have no houses, or are living in overcrowded conditions".
Michael D'Arcy (FG, Wexford) said it was "planning madness" that An Bord Pleanála for Dublin "has stipulated in certain cases that buildings cannot have more than 13 storeys . . . Yet there are small towns with populations of less than 50,000 where such applications have been granted."
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
"Some people say to me - but I would not be that narrow-minded - that maybe there are members of the board who are taking money. Perhaps there are members of An Bord Pleanála who are taking money because they have never visited the site".
Mr Sheahan also hit out at what he called "serial objectors", who he believed should have to pay €200, rather than €20 to object to a planning application. He said he knew of one such objector who "took €25,000 in cash to withdraw an objection to planning permission for two family members on a holding". And he claimed "a lot of these people are aligned and associated with An Taisce and the Green Party".
He was speaking during the second stage debate of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009, which amends planning laws and aims to promote sustainable development.
Ceann Comhairle Séamus Kirk warned him that he had made a serious allegation against members of An Bord Pleanála. Mr Kirk noted Mr Sheahan had not made an allegation against an individual member but "it is inappropriate to make such an allegation under the protection of the House unless the deputy is in a position to substantiate it". Mr Sheahan said "I have said what I said and I stand by it".
He also said it was "ironic that a Green Minister is bringing this Bill before us because he is centralising power to himself". But Minister for the Environment John Gormley who replied to the debate, rejected this and said "that's just not the way we see it. It's the exact opposite in fact."
The Fine Gael TD said "when a planning file is appealed to An Bord Pleanála, an inspector will come to inspect on behalf of the board and write up recommendations".
The recommendation "goes before An Bord Pleanála and those sitting around the table, who have not visited the site, will refuse the inspector's report. How many times have deputies seen that happen? Is that logical and does it make sense?"
Mr Sheahan said "there are 22 ghost estates in Kerry". Planning "is a function of the executive and those involved made executive decisions to grant planning permission for those estates, yet the person seeking planning permission for a one-off rural house receives a blank 'No'. It's a shambles."
David Stanton (FG, Cork East) said that the houses in ghost estates could be used "to put a roof over the heads of people who have no houses, or are living in overcrowded conditions".
Michael D'Arcy (FG, Wexford) said it was "planning madness" that An Bord Pleanála for Dublin "has stipulated in certain cases that buildings cannot have more than 13 storeys . . . Yet there are small towns with populations of less than 50,000 where such applications have been granted."
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Thursday, 4 March 2010
Councillors welcome new Tarbert power plant
A PLAN by Spanish energy company Endesa to replace a 40-year-old ESB power plant at Tarbert, Co Kerry, with a smaller more environmentally-friendly natural gas-powered plant will create 500 jobs at peak of construction, a meeting of Kerry County Council heard yesterday.
The meeting heard the new plant, combined with a proposed import terminal and regasification plant also near Tarbert by the Hess corporation, offered huge hope for the local community and the country.
Councillors called for the project to be approved, saying it would benefit both the county and the security of the country’s energy supplies.
Fine Gael councillor Jim Finucane said the project, combined with the Shannon LNG (liquefied natural gas) terminal which has received planning approval nearby, offered “hope and confidence to people seeking employment”.
“We welcome this with open arms,” county manager Tom Curran remarked, saying he was disappointed with An Taisce’s indication it would oppose the project.
As with the LNG proposal, the Endesa Ireland 450MW natural gas-fired gas turbine plant has been deemed to come under strategic infrastructure and is being fast-tracked to An Bord Pleanála.
The meeting heard Kerry County Council is to play “a key consultative role”, and submissions have been invited from the council and its members before the March 10th deadline.
Endesa will apply separately to the council for the demolition of the existing generation plant within six months of the commissioning of the new plant on the 104-acre site, according to a report to the meeting by planning director Michael McMahon.
The new plant will occupy just a quarter of the existing plant site, which extends on to Tarbert island near Tarbert village.
It is adjacent to the proposed Shannon LNG terminal, which is to act as an import terminal and regasification plant for liquefied natural gas from all over the world. Proposed by the Irish subsidiary of the Hess corporation, this has already been approved by the planning authorities. A pipeline to connect the LNG terminal with the national gas grid at Foynes, Co Limerick, has also been approved. The deep water estuary will provide water for cooling purposes.
Several councillors yesterday indicated they would be seeking more long-term annual levies for the benefit of the community from Endesa Ireland.
Cllr John Brassil said annual levies of €15,000 for the benefit of the community for just five years were being sought by the council, along with €60,000 for traffic lights and fire equipment. This compared with some €6 million being sought by the council from the Shannon LNG project.
The meeting heard work had not yet started on the LNG plant as a foreshore licence was still awaited. “There is an unacceptable hold-up in the licence,” Mr Brassil said.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The meeting heard the new plant, combined with a proposed import terminal and regasification plant also near Tarbert by the Hess corporation, offered huge hope for the local community and the country.
Councillors called for the project to be approved, saying it would benefit both the county and the security of the country’s energy supplies.
Fine Gael councillor Jim Finucane said the project, combined with the Shannon LNG (liquefied natural gas) terminal which has received planning approval nearby, offered “hope and confidence to people seeking employment”.
“We welcome this with open arms,” county manager Tom Curran remarked, saying he was disappointed with An Taisce’s indication it would oppose the project.
As with the LNG proposal, the Endesa Ireland 450MW natural gas-fired gas turbine plant has been deemed to come under strategic infrastructure and is being fast-tracked to An Bord Pleanála.
The meeting heard Kerry County Council is to play “a key consultative role”, and submissions have been invited from the council and its members before the March 10th deadline.
Endesa will apply separately to the council for the demolition of the existing generation plant within six months of the commissioning of the new plant on the 104-acre site, according to a report to the meeting by planning director Michael McMahon.
The new plant will occupy just a quarter of the existing plant site, which extends on to Tarbert island near Tarbert village.
It is adjacent to the proposed Shannon LNG terminal, which is to act as an import terminal and regasification plant for liquefied natural gas from all over the world. Proposed by the Irish subsidiary of the Hess corporation, this has already been approved by the planning authorities. A pipeline to connect the LNG terminal with the national gas grid at Foynes, Co Limerick, has also been approved. The deep water estuary will provide water for cooling purposes.
Several councillors yesterday indicated they would be seeking more long-term annual levies for the benefit of the community from Endesa Ireland.
Cllr John Brassil said annual levies of €15,000 for the benefit of the community for just five years were being sought by the council, along with €60,000 for traffic lights and fire equipment. This compared with some €6 million being sought by the council from the Shannon LNG project.
The meeting heard work had not yet started on the LNG plant as a foreshore licence was still awaited. “There is an unacceptable hold-up in the licence,” Mr Brassil said.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Friday, 4 December 2009
Floodlights plan refusal upheld
A DECISION by Kerry County Council to refuse planning permission for floodlights at a soccer pitch, in Listowel, has been upheld by An Bord Pleanála.
The proposed floodlights on six masts at the Listowel Celtic FC grounds would seriously injure the amenities of nearby properties, the appeals board ruled.
An application to build a viewing stand was also rejected as it would involve an "unacceptable intensification" of use of the club’s facilities and endanger public safety by creating a traffic hazard.
The club’s grounds are on a site close to Listowel Racecourse, about two kilometres outside the town.
The county council had refused planning for the floodlights, but had given the go-ahead for the retention of an artificial pitch and other facilities at the grounds.
The argument put by the appellant John Joy, against the floodlights and stand, was on the basis of noise, late-night activity and general disturbance. It was also claimed there would be a detrimental impact on houses in the area and on a rural setting.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
The proposed floodlights on six masts at the Listowel Celtic FC grounds would seriously injure the amenities of nearby properties, the appeals board ruled.
An application to build a viewing stand was also rejected as it would involve an "unacceptable intensification" of use of the club’s facilities and endanger public safety by creating a traffic hazard.
The club’s grounds are on a site close to Listowel Racecourse, about two kilometres outside the town.
The county council had refused planning for the floodlights, but had given the go-ahead for the retention of an artificial pitch and other facilities at the grounds.
The argument put by the appellant John Joy, against the floodlights and stand, was on the basis of noise, late-night activity and general disturbance. It was also claimed there would be a detrimental impact on houses in the area and on a rural setting.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
Friday, 20 November 2009
Too many holiday homes built in Kenmare, according to local area plan
TWENTY-SEVEN per cent of the population of Kenmare are foreign-nationals, compared with a figure of 14 per cent in other towns in Co Kerry and the rest of the country, according to a new local area plan.
Large numbers of the population – 16 per cent – are over 65, as against a national average of 11 per cent.
“This figure indicates the attractiveness of Kenmare as a place to settle,” the report says.
However, the report presented to local councillors says too many holiday homes have been built and there has been haphazard development of housing estates on Kenmare’s outskirts, and many estates are not permanently occupied.
The heritage town with a population of 1,701 has enough existing housing. Hundreds of houses and apartments have been planned or built in the past five years, despite a significant decline in permanent residents, according to the new study of the area.
One-quarter of Kenmare’s housing stock of almost 600 has been built since 2001.
In the past five years, a further 670 dwellings have been given permission within the town boundary, many as holiday home lettings. Eighty of these are apartments.
If all the units were to be completed, the housing stock of Kenmare would double, despite the fact the population of Kenmare is declining.
It went down by 8 per cent in the 2002-2006 census period.
Meanwhile, councillors have asked for legal advice with regard to dezoning lands, claiming that large tracts in the wider Kenmare area and elsewhere are set to be returned to agricultural and rural general zonings.
Director of planning Michael McMahon said there could be no guarantee that lands zoned in one five-year development plan would retain their zoning in a subsequent plan.
There was no question of compensation, he also said.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Large numbers of the population – 16 per cent – are over 65, as against a national average of 11 per cent.
“This figure indicates the attractiveness of Kenmare as a place to settle,” the report says.
However, the report presented to local councillors says too many holiday homes have been built and there has been haphazard development of housing estates on Kenmare’s outskirts, and many estates are not permanently occupied.
The heritage town with a population of 1,701 has enough existing housing. Hundreds of houses and apartments have been planned or built in the past five years, despite a significant decline in permanent residents, according to the new study of the area.
One-quarter of Kenmare’s housing stock of almost 600 has been built since 2001.
In the past five years, a further 670 dwellings have been given permission within the town boundary, many as holiday home lettings. Eighty of these are apartments.
If all the units were to be completed, the housing stock of Kenmare would double, despite the fact the population of Kenmare is declining.
It went down by 8 per cent in the 2002-2006 census period.
Meanwhile, councillors have asked for legal advice with regard to dezoning lands, claiming that large tracts in the wider Kenmare area and elsewhere are set to be returned to agricultural and rural general zonings.
Director of planning Michael McMahon said there could be no guarantee that lands zoned in one five-year development plan would retain their zoning in a subsequent plan.
There was no question of compensation, he also said.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Monday, 16 November 2009
Council to be lobbied on mast debate
GROUPS from different parts of Kerry will today lobby councillors in advance of a debate on a controversial rule about telecommunications masts in the county development plan.
The council bans the erection of masts within one kilometre of houses, schools and other residential buildings. The ruling is due to be reconsidered at the meeting of Kerry County Council.
Some community bodies are strongly opposed to a move by county manager Tom Curran and other senior executives to have the rule removed.
Council officials claim the restriction was affecting the roll-out of broadband throughout the county and the provision of modern communications for the emergency services.
And despite the council continuing to refuse planning for masts because of the bylaw, An Bord Pleanála regularly overturns council decisions and grants planning permission for masts.
So far, councillors have supported the retention of the rule and are coming under increasing pressure from groups of objectors to maintain that line.
A spokesperson for the groups said they would be seeking the continuing support of elected councillors and were getting a petition signed by people throughout Kerry.
The Glenbeigh area is a hotbed of protests against masts with objections, to about five mast proposals. Their anger was highlighted by the public burning of a mock mast by local people.
One of the leading Glenbeigh objectors, Clara Leahy, said locals are concerned at the effects of exposure to electromagnetic radiation from communications masts and felt their concerns are being ignored.
The council again applied the one kilometre rule to refuse the application to the latest application. An appeal has been lodged with An Bord Pleanála.
But council management wants the rule removed from the county development plan which has been in place since 2003.
"This provision is a very crude instrument as it takes any deciding role from the planners on any application for a mast once it is clear that the restriction applies to such an application," said a report from the executive.
Since 2003, the council has received 75 applications for masts. Of these, 38 have been refused planning permission and 25 of the refusals have subsequently been overturned by An Bord Pleanála.
Meanwhile, the Tetra communications company is seeking an alternative site for a 15-metre mast in Annascaul.
Following a campaign by residents of the village, work was halted on a site that had been chosen for the mast. The company is now seeking an alternative site, a distance from the village. An Bord Pleanála, however, granted planning for the mast after an appeal against a refusal by the council.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
The council bans the erection of masts within one kilometre of houses, schools and other residential buildings. The ruling is due to be reconsidered at the meeting of Kerry County Council.
Some community bodies are strongly opposed to a move by county manager Tom Curran and other senior executives to have the rule removed.
Council officials claim the restriction was affecting the roll-out of broadband throughout the county and the provision of modern communications for the emergency services.
And despite the council continuing to refuse planning for masts because of the bylaw, An Bord Pleanála regularly overturns council decisions and grants planning permission for masts.
So far, councillors have supported the retention of the rule and are coming under increasing pressure from groups of objectors to maintain that line.
A spokesperson for the groups said they would be seeking the continuing support of elected councillors and were getting a petition signed by people throughout Kerry.
The Glenbeigh area is a hotbed of protests against masts with objections, to about five mast proposals. Their anger was highlighted by the public burning of a mock mast by local people.
One of the leading Glenbeigh objectors, Clara Leahy, said locals are concerned at the effects of exposure to electromagnetic radiation from communications masts and felt their concerns are being ignored.
The council again applied the one kilometre rule to refuse the application to the latest application. An appeal has been lodged with An Bord Pleanála.
But council management wants the rule removed from the county development plan which has been in place since 2003.
"This provision is a very crude instrument as it takes any deciding role from the planners on any application for a mast once it is clear that the restriction applies to such an application," said a report from the executive.
Since 2003, the council has received 75 applications for masts. Of these, 38 have been refused planning permission and 25 of the refusals have subsequently been overturned by An Bord Pleanála.
Meanwhile, the Tetra communications company is seeking an alternative site for a 15-metre mast in Annascaul.
Following a campaign by residents of the village, work was halted on a site that had been chosen for the mast. The company is now seeking an alternative site, a distance from the village. An Bord Pleanála, however, granted planning for the mast after an appeal against a refusal by the council.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
Wednesday, 22 July 2009
Officials claim retail complex would help stem ‘haemorrhage’ of shoppers
A planning application for the complex by Castleisland businessman Tony Walsh has been turned down by Kerry County Council, but councillors are continuing to support his efforts to get the green light.
Kerry mayor Bobby O’Connell, who lives in Castleisland, said his hometown had received very little from the Government or the IDA, and a shopping development would help create much-needed employment.
"It is believed about 60% of shopping business from Castleisland is being haemorrhaged to Tralee. That’s a huge loss to Castleisland and can’t be allowed continue," he said.
The issue was raised at this week’s county council meeting by Independent councillor Brendan Cronin who proposed a 3.2-acre site at Tralee Road, Castleisland, be rezoned from industrial to retail in order to facilitate Mr Walsh’s development.
Mr Cronin said the council had set a precedent for retail development on two sites directly across the road from the site.
"I believe this site [Mr Walsh’s] is ideally located. It is close to the town centre and is inside the route of the new bypass. There’s a huge need in Castleisland for this type of development," he added.
However, senior planning engineer Tom Sheehy said the Castleisland local area plan (LAP) was under review and it would be inappropriate to consider individual rezoning proposals in isolation from the overall strategy for the town. "It would not be the best procedure to have a proposal to vary the zoning going on at the same time as a review of the plan. It would not make sense," he stated.
Mr Sheehy also said there were three alternative sites that might be more appropriate for retail development in Castleisland and would make it more competitive for retailers to come in.
Mr Sheehy also suggested it would be in Mr Walsh’s best interests to have rezoning application considered as part of the LAP review rather than as a motion before the council. After some councillors consulted with Mr Walsh, it was agreed to include the rezoning proposal in the review of the Castleisland LAP which has gone on public display in the town this week.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
Kerry mayor Bobby O’Connell, who lives in Castleisland, said his hometown had received very little from the Government or the IDA, and a shopping development would help create much-needed employment.
"It is believed about 60% of shopping business from Castleisland is being haemorrhaged to Tralee. That’s a huge loss to Castleisland and can’t be allowed continue," he said.
The issue was raised at this week’s county council meeting by Independent councillor Brendan Cronin who proposed a 3.2-acre site at Tralee Road, Castleisland, be rezoned from industrial to retail in order to facilitate Mr Walsh’s development.
Mr Cronin said the council had set a precedent for retail development on two sites directly across the road from the site.
"I believe this site [Mr Walsh’s] is ideally located. It is close to the town centre and is inside the route of the new bypass. There’s a huge need in Castleisland for this type of development," he added.
However, senior planning engineer Tom Sheehy said the Castleisland local area plan (LAP) was under review and it would be inappropriate to consider individual rezoning proposals in isolation from the overall strategy for the town. "It would not be the best procedure to have a proposal to vary the zoning going on at the same time as a review of the plan. It would not make sense," he stated.
Mr Sheehy also said there were three alternative sites that might be more appropriate for retail development in Castleisland and would make it more competitive for retailers to come in.
Mr Sheehy also suggested it would be in Mr Walsh’s best interests to have rezoning application considered as part of the LAP review rather than as a motion before the council. After some councillors consulted with Mr Walsh, it was agreed to include the rezoning proposal in the review of the Castleisland LAP which has gone on public display in the town this week.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
Sunday, 12 July 2009
Company offers to meet objectors to Kerry mast http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/company-offers-to-meet-objectors-to-kerry-mast-96165.html#ixzz0L4
A COMMUNICATIONS company has offered to meet objectors to a 24-metre mast it plans to erect in Co Kerry.
Residents in the Glenbeigh area last night mounted a protest at the site earmarked by Hutchinson 3G Ireland for a mast to provide broadband internet access.
The company has applied to Kerry County Council for planning permission for the mast.
However, the council is expected to refuse the application because of its rule which bans such masts within 1km of houses and other residential buildings because of health issues.
Objectors claim there are more than 40 houses within 1km of the site on Coillte-owned land, at Ballintleave, on the Killorglin side of Glenbeigh.
Spokesperson for the objecting residents, Karen Clifford, said the vast majority of householders were opposed to the development. "We’re not anti-broadband, but we have concerns about health and safety. There are alternative ways of bringing broadband to people, such as underground fibre-optic cables, without putting people’s health in danger."
Ms Clifford welcomed Hutchinson’s willingness to meet the residents, but said they were still waiting to hear from the company.
Robert Marshall, spokesman for Hutchinson, said they were willing to meet the objectors.
"We’re prepared to discuss with them any concerns they have. We would welcome an opportunity to allay their fears and will be completely open and transparent," he said.
Mr Marshall also said their technical team found the site, between the Red Fox Inn and Dooks Golf Club, to be the best location in the area for a mast.
If the planning application is rejected, an appeal is expected to be lodged with An Bord Pleanála which has overturned the 1km rule on several occasions.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
Residents in the Glenbeigh area last night mounted a protest at the site earmarked by Hutchinson 3G Ireland for a mast to provide broadband internet access.
The company has applied to Kerry County Council for planning permission for the mast.
However, the council is expected to refuse the application because of its rule which bans such masts within 1km of houses and other residential buildings because of health issues.
Objectors claim there are more than 40 houses within 1km of the site on Coillte-owned land, at Ballintleave, on the Killorglin side of Glenbeigh.
Spokesperson for the objecting residents, Karen Clifford, said the vast majority of householders were opposed to the development. "We’re not anti-broadband, but we have concerns about health and safety. There are alternative ways of bringing broadband to people, such as underground fibre-optic cables, without putting people’s health in danger."
Ms Clifford welcomed Hutchinson’s willingness to meet the residents, but said they were still waiting to hear from the company.
Robert Marshall, spokesman for Hutchinson, said they were willing to meet the objectors.
"We’re prepared to discuss with them any concerns they have. We would welcome an opportunity to allay their fears and will be completely open and transparent," he said.
Mr Marshall also said their technical team found the site, between the Red Fox Inn and Dooks Golf Club, to be the best location in the area for a mast.
If the planning application is rejected, an appeal is expected to be lodged with An Bord Pleanála which has overturned the 1km rule on several occasions.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
Thursday, 9 April 2009
O'Se gets rezoning as planners ignored
MEMBERS OF Kerry County Council have ignored the advice of their senior planners by granting a controversial land rezoning to Gaelic football great Páidí Ó Sé.
The zoning clears the way for Ó Sé to apply for planning permission for a sports interpretive centre, with commercial accommodation, at his pub in Ventry.
The land, in a scenic area less than a third of a mile from the sea, had prime special amenity zoning, but now has residential-opportunity zoning in the new Kerry County Development Plan 2009-2015.
Senior council planning engineer Tom Sheehy said he had no difficulty with the sports interpretive centre, but having commercial accommodation on a sensitive landscape between the Slea Head road and the sea would be totally inappropriate.
He also said applications for rezonings by other people in the area had already been refused and he did not believe exceptions should be made.
Mr Sheehy said the idea of allowing holiday homes so as to make a tourism project viable had previously been rejected by councillors arising from submissions by private golf clubs
The rezoning request by the Fáilte Ireland director and holder of eight All-Ireland medals was opposed by two Ventry groups, Fís Fionn Trá and Intíre. But, Fianna Fáil councillor Paul O’Donoghue, who proposed the rezoning be granted, said the development would help create jobs and generate income in the area.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The zoning clears the way for Ó Sé to apply for planning permission for a sports interpretive centre, with commercial accommodation, at his pub in Ventry.
The land, in a scenic area less than a third of a mile from the sea, had prime special amenity zoning, but now has residential-opportunity zoning in the new Kerry County Development Plan 2009-2015.
Senior council planning engineer Tom Sheehy said he had no difficulty with the sports interpretive centre, but having commercial accommodation on a sensitive landscape between the Slea Head road and the sea would be totally inappropriate.
He also said applications for rezonings by other people in the area had already been refused and he did not believe exceptions should be made.
Mr Sheehy said the idea of allowing holiday homes so as to make a tourism project viable had previously been rejected by councillors arising from submissions by private golf clubs
The rezoning request by the Fáilte Ireland director and holder of eight All-Ireland medals was opposed by two Ventry groups, Fís Fionn Trá and Intíre. But, Fianna Fáil councillor Paul O’Donoghue, who proposed the rezoning be granted, said the development would help create jobs and generate income in the area.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Wednesday, 11 March 2009
Mast rule to delay internet access
A RULE in Kerry that does not allow telecommunications masts within 1km of houses, schools and other residential buildings will delay the roll-out of broadband in rural areas of the county, county manager Tom Curran has warned.
The national plan is to have broadband in all rural areas by September 2010, but the 1km rule is likely to impede the installation of high-speed internet access in many parts of Kerry by Hutchinson 3G Ireland Ltd, known as 3.
A total of 28 high sites for masts have been identified in Kerry, 17 existing and 11 new. Planning permission will be needed for the new sites, but will be refused because of the rule, Mr Curran pointed out.
"It will be necessary for 3 to appeal our decision to An Bord Pleanála if they are to fulfil the terms of their contract," he told a council meeting in Tralee.
He said the long process "will mean Kerry will be one of the last counties to get broadband in rural areas, putting residences and businesses at a disadvantage".
Fine Gael councillor Johnny O’Connor felt it was time to get rid of the rule, as it put Kerry at the end of the queue for broadband.
Independent councillor Brendan Cronin said local communities "will appeal anyway, as they are opposed to masts".
Independent councillor Michael Healy-Rae did not feel the rule should be the reason for delays.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The national plan is to have broadband in all rural areas by September 2010, but the 1km rule is likely to impede the installation of high-speed internet access in many parts of Kerry by Hutchinson 3G Ireland Ltd, known as 3.
A total of 28 high sites for masts have been identified in Kerry, 17 existing and 11 new. Planning permission will be needed for the new sites, but will be refused because of the rule, Mr Curran pointed out.
"It will be necessary for 3 to appeal our decision to An Bord Pleanála if they are to fulfil the terms of their contract," he told a council meeting in Tralee.
He said the long process "will mean Kerry will be one of the last counties to get broadband in rural areas, putting residences and businesses at a disadvantage".
Fine Gael councillor Johnny O’Connor felt it was time to get rid of the rule, as it put Kerry at the end of the queue for broadband.
Independent councillor Brendan Cronin said local communities "will appeal anyway, as they are opposed to masts".
Independent councillor Michael Healy-Rae did not feel the rule should be the reason for delays.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Friday, 27 February 2009
Bord Pleanála rejects hillside development near Dingle
A SUBSTANTIAL residential and holiday-home development proposed for a scenic hillside a kilometre from Dingle town centre has been refused permission by An Bord Pleanála.
This was done mainly on the grounds that it would create sprawl and work against recent efforts to create a compact town in Dingle, Co Kerry.
The decision has been welcomed by local conservationists, who have objected to much of the recent development in the coastal town.
Seán Brosnan, a local conservationist, said: “Dingle is a sensitive place, it needs sensitive, well-planned development. Clearly sprawl is not well planned.”
Kerry County Council had already refused planning for the 94 houses, which included 27 holiday homes, and the renovation of an old farmhouse on 10 acres on the Conor Pass side of the town.
Part of the access would have been from the Dingle Way walking route.
Submissions to the council detailed how there were already lots of houses for sale in Dingle, that there were too many holiday homes and too many empty houses.
There was also criticism of much of the recent elevated development around the town which runs down to the sea.
The objectors also claimed the proposed site was “rural in character” and removed from the town centre.
Agents for the applicants, Dunboy Homes, appealed the council’s refusal.
They pointed out that the land had been zoned for residential use and “incorporated within the town boundary of An Daingean” in 2006.They said that development of the site could, therefore, be expected.
The appellants also submitted that adjacent developments were more visually intrusive upon views from the Conor Pass tourist route.
The planning board refused permission “having regard to provide for the development of a compact and accessible town”, the elevated and exposed scenic setting of the site and the possibility of disturbing subsurface archaeological remains.
Locals believe that about 400 houses are empty in Dingle.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
This was done mainly on the grounds that it would create sprawl and work against recent efforts to create a compact town in Dingle, Co Kerry.
The decision has been welcomed by local conservationists, who have objected to much of the recent development in the coastal town.
Seán Brosnan, a local conservationist, said: “Dingle is a sensitive place, it needs sensitive, well-planned development. Clearly sprawl is not well planned.”
Kerry County Council had already refused planning for the 94 houses, which included 27 holiday homes, and the renovation of an old farmhouse on 10 acres on the Conor Pass side of the town.
Part of the access would have been from the Dingle Way walking route.
Submissions to the council detailed how there were already lots of houses for sale in Dingle, that there were too many holiday homes and too many empty houses.
There was also criticism of much of the recent elevated development around the town which runs down to the sea.
The objectors also claimed the proposed site was “rural in character” and removed from the town centre.
Agents for the applicants, Dunboy Homes, appealed the council’s refusal.
They pointed out that the land had been zoned for residential use and “incorporated within the town boundary of An Daingean” in 2006.They said that development of the site could, therefore, be expected.
The appellants also submitted that adjacent developments were more visually intrusive upon views from the Conor Pass tourist route.
The planning board refused permission “having regard to provide for the development of a compact and accessible town”, the elevated and exposed scenic setting of the site and the possibility of disturbing subsurface archaeological remains.
Locals believe that about 400 houses are empty in Dingle.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Friday, 20 February 2009
Baths plan on Valentia refused
An organic cafe owner said he will not give up on his plans for the development of seaweed baths on the edge of the Atlantic at Valentia Island, but will try again as soon as there is an upturn in the economy, writes Anne Lucey.
Paul Duff of the Lighthouse cafe on Valentia has been refused permission by Kerry County Council to roof old stone sheds and convert them to seaweed bath houses.
The baths were considered over-development and concerns were also raised by An Taisce.
Mr Duff will not appeal the decision but has decided to “wait for the upturn”.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Paul Duff of the Lighthouse cafe on Valentia has been refused permission by Kerry County Council to roof old stone sheds and convert them to seaweed bath houses.
The baths were considered over-development and concerns were also raised by An Taisce.
Mr Duff will not appeal the decision but has decided to “wait for the upturn”.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Friday, 13 February 2009
Fit for the Kingdom: Town plans iconic cultural centre
SYDNEY has its famous opera house and Bilbao has its futuristic Guggenheim museum but Kenmare has unveiled its own ambitious plans to attract thousands of visitors to the Kingdom.
In a bid to breathe new life into a seriously ailing tourism industry, the Kerry town has backed a €12.5m project to build an "iconic" centre for contemporary Irish culture on a site overlooking Kenmare Bay.
Corporate donors are being sought but the public will also be invited to row in behind the project by contributing towards the cost by sponsoring window panes in the centre, roof slates and even car parking spaces.
News of the project came as Tourism Minister Martin Cullen -- who yesterday met the heads of 15 state tourism agencies, state arts bodies, and cultural institutions -- announced new moves to develop the country's cultural tourism market.
Visitors
The new centre, which has yet to be named, will stage yearly exhibitions and will target visitors from Switzerland, France, Germany, Italy and the UK, with a projected footfall of 90,000 visitors a year.
To be owned by a 'not for profit' trust, the building will have seven galleries and a viewing tower and will employ 10 full-time and six part-time staff.
Plans will be submitted by the end of the year for the 2,053 sq mts, 21-metre tall structure which is expected to be up and running by 2012.
The centre is designed by Irish architect Niall McLaughlin who designed a new interpretative centre on Loch Ness in Scotland.
Up to €1m has been pledged in corporate donations and a grant application for up to 50pc has been lodged already.
FERGUS BLACK
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
In a bid to breathe new life into a seriously ailing tourism industry, the Kerry town has backed a €12.5m project to build an "iconic" centre for contemporary Irish culture on a site overlooking Kenmare Bay.
Corporate donors are being sought but the public will also be invited to row in behind the project by contributing towards the cost by sponsoring window panes in the centre, roof slates and even car parking spaces.
News of the project came as Tourism Minister Martin Cullen -- who yesterday met the heads of 15 state tourism agencies, state arts bodies, and cultural institutions -- announced new moves to develop the country's cultural tourism market.
Visitors
The new centre, which has yet to be named, will stage yearly exhibitions and will target visitors from Switzerland, France, Germany, Italy and the UK, with a projected footfall of 90,000 visitors a year.
To be owned by a 'not for profit' trust, the building will have seven galleries and a viewing tower and will employ 10 full-time and six part-time staff.
Plans will be submitted by the end of the year for the 2,053 sq mts, 21-metre tall structure which is expected to be up and running by 2012.
The centre is designed by Irish architect Niall McLaughlin who designed a new interpretative centre on Loch Ness in Scotland.
Up to €1m has been pledged in corporate donations and a grant application for up to 50pc has been lodged already.
FERGUS BLACK
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Monday, 29 December 2008
Kerry railway station will not be protected
A MAJORITY of councillors in Kerry have voted not to include on the list of protected buildings the last remaining railway building on the now closed Farranfore to Valentia line, despite passionate pleas from planners and fellow councillors that too much railway history was being lost.
Director of planning Tom Sheehy said there were enormous ties to the old Valentia line, closed in the 1960s.
High-quality materials were used in the railway station building near Castlemaine, including brick, stone and cast iron, much of the building was intact and there was a good chance of getting grants to renovate it.
The single-storey, rubble stone-built station included the remnants of a stone-fronted platform to the side.
An appraisal commissioned by the council strongly recommended it be included in the county's record of protected structures because of "its special architectural, historical and social interest".
"This is privately owned. The community does not own it. The railway line is long gone. There is no right of way into it. The owner will not repair it because it is not worth repairing," Cllr Michael O'Shea said.
He was opposed by Independent councillor Michael Gleeson who said one of the great achievements of the 19th century had been the railway line, and too many buildings along existing lines had been left to appear derelict and too many were being demolished.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Director of planning Tom Sheehy said there were enormous ties to the old Valentia line, closed in the 1960s.
High-quality materials were used in the railway station building near Castlemaine, including brick, stone and cast iron, much of the building was intact and there was a good chance of getting grants to renovate it.
The single-storey, rubble stone-built station included the remnants of a stone-fronted platform to the side.
An appraisal commissioned by the council strongly recommended it be included in the county's record of protected structures because of "its special architectural, historical and social interest".
"This is privately owned. The community does not own it. The railway line is long gone. There is no right of way into it. The owner will not repair it because it is not worth repairing," Cllr Michael O'Shea said.
He was opposed by Independent councillor Michael Gleeson who said one of the great achievements of the 19th century had been the railway line, and too many buildings along existing lines had been left to appear derelict and too many were being demolished.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Monday, 29 September 2008
Neighbour appeals Flatley home refusal
A NEIGHBOURING landowner and property developer has appealed the decision by Kerry Co Council to refuse the dancer Michael Flatley permission to build a large cottage on an island in Kenmare Bay, Co Kerry.
However, Mr Flatley of Castlehyde, Fermoy, Co Cork has not appealed the decision by the council last month to turn down his application for what his consultants described as "a modest" 9,100sq ft cottage on a 56 acre-site on the eastern tip of Rossmore Island. It is understood the appeal is without the dancer's consent.
The island, between Sneem and Kenmare, is connected by bridge to the mainland. The house is intended as a second home for Mr Flatley. The proposal for an L-shaped structure, included guest and staff quarters as well as substantial family quarters, courtyard, fountain and garages. It would have seen the demolition of an existing farmhouse.
In August, planners refused the application because of design, scale and visibility, as well as contravention of the Kerry County Development Plan.
Frank Fallon, who is renovating a property on Rossmore Island, has made a lengthy submission to An Bord Pleanála, arguing the refusal should be overturned.
Mr Fallon, who has an address at Newtownshandrom, Charleville, Co Cork and is also based in London, has told the board the project would inject a huge amount of enthusiasm and culture into the local area.
Mr Flatley and his family would provide much needed local employment, he claimed.
"Quite honestly I am absolutely astonished and equally underwhelmed that Kerry Co Council could possibly allow such a valued client to slip through their fingers," Mr Fallon writes.
A spokesman for Mr Fallon said his client would like to ensure Mr Flatley got permission for the land next door to himself. Mr Fallon also wanted some issues clarified, he said.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
However, Mr Flatley of Castlehyde, Fermoy, Co Cork has not appealed the decision by the council last month to turn down his application for what his consultants described as "a modest" 9,100sq ft cottage on a 56 acre-site on the eastern tip of Rossmore Island. It is understood the appeal is without the dancer's consent.
The island, between Sneem and Kenmare, is connected by bridge to the mainland. The house is intended as a second home for Mr Flatley. The proposal for an L-shaped structure, included guest and staff quarters as well as substantial family quarters, courtyard, fountain and garages. It would have seen the demolition of an existing farmhouse.
In August, planners refused the application because of design, scale and visibility, as well as contravention of the Kerry County Development Plan.
Frank Fallon, who is renovating a property on Rossmore Island, has made a lengthy submission to An Bord Pleanála, arguing the refusal should be overturned.
Mr Fallon, who has an address at Newtownshandrom, Charleville, Co Cork and is also based in London, has told the board the project would inject a huge amount of enthusiasm and culture into the local area.
Mr Flatley and his family would provide much needed local employment, he claimed.
"Quite honestly I am absolutely astonished and equally underwhelmed that Kerry Co Council could possibly allow such a valued client to slip through their fingers," Mr Fallon writes.
A spokesman for Mr Fallon said his client would like to ensure Mr Flatley got permission for the land next door to himself. Mr Fallon also wanted some issues clarified, he said.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)