Way now clear for billionaire James Dyson to build helicopter landing area at sprawling Waterford estate
The plans for the helicopter landing area had been criticised for disturbing local wildlife 'for the sake of one person's travelling convenience'.
The planning application was made in the name of Christopher Nicholson, the manager of Ballynatray Estate.
Dyson – one of Britain's richest individuals and one of the strongest advocates in support of the Brexit campaign for Britain to leave the EU – bought Ballynatray House, a protected structure, and its 850-acre estate for €29.25m last year.
Its previous owner, Henry Gwyn-Jones, a British property developer, had bought the estate for more than €11m in 2004.
In a letter on the planning files, Dyson confirmed he was the ultimate beneficial owner of the property, which is held on his behalf by Glashedy Fitzwilliam Trustees Limited.
Ballynatray House had been operated as an exclusive country house with guest accommodation by its previous owner, but planning files show Dyson intends to use the mansion as a single residence.
The proposed helicopter landing area is located around 525 metres to the north-east of Ballynatray House in an agricultural field screened from the mansion by planting.
An environmental report submitted with the planning application said it had been 'objectively concluded that the proposed development will not adversely affect the integrity of Natura 2000 sites and there is no reasonable scientific doubt in relation to this conclusion'.
Natura 2000 is a network of protected areas covering Europe's most valuable and threatened species and habitats.
A consultant hired by the applicant said the ecological impact would be 'low and localised in the long term'
He added: 'Although there may be short-term disturbance during the work phase, no significant impacts on birds or important mammals are expected to occur.'
Other reports also said the proposed development would have no impact on the house, which was constructed in 1795-1797.
The objector, David Orr, who lives across from Ballynatray House on the opposite side of the Blackwater, said the landing area would have a high impact on the surrounding environment from helicopters approaching, taking off and landing.
Mr Orr claimed the relatively low-level approach currently used by a helicopter landing at Ballynatray House was directly over Ardsallagh Woodlands, which was part of a Special Conservation Area.
He said it posed 'a high risk of disturbance to wildlife within the surrounding area' that was home to a large number of species of birds and mammals.
Mr Orr said the woodlands were an important nesting site for a range of birds including herons, egrets, cormorants, owls and buzzards as well as being a habitat for otters, red squirrels, badgers, foxes, fallow deer and stoats.
He claimed that 'this little oasis' was very vulnerable to disturbance and that the intrusion of helicopters into an environmentally sensitive area would be detrimental.
'It seems to be that for the sake of one person's travelling convenience a large number of both human and non-human inhabitants of this area are going to be disturbed,' Mr Orr said.
Planning documents submitted on behalf of Dyson noted that the responsibility of taking on such an important estate and designed landscape was understood.
They revealed that long-term plans included woodland management and the continued repair and conservation of Molana Abbey and Templemichael Church, which are located within the estate.
An Coimisiún Pleanála ruled that Mr Orr's appeal was invalid as it was not accompanied by an acknowledgement by Waterford City and County council of his original submission on the planning application.
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