Latest news with #CountyDevelopmentPlan
Irish Independent
26-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Uisce Éireann described as ‘biggest mistake' to ever happen in Ireland as Wexford council seeks ways to build in rural areas
With large swathes of the county unsuitable for new housing developments due to a lack of water services, Councillors John Fleming and Michael Sheehan cited potential changes to the County Development Plan (2022-2028) which would allow the council to rezone land for new housing projects. 'The County Development Plan is now open for review and there's an opportunity for this municipal district to have a say in the direction the town and villages will take over the next 15 years,' said Cllr Sheehan. 'There's vast tracts of land in this town that need to be rezoned for housing.' With regards to providing water services for housing developments which wouldn't have access to the Uisce Éireann (UE) mains, Cllr Marty Murphy said Wexford County Council (WCC) should simply proceed without the national utility company. 'My understanding is small developments in rural areas will be allowed to build their own treatment plants which is fantastic news, because our villages are dying due to planning laws,' he said. 'Do we have villages which will be targeted under that? We need to move on from UE because, as far as I'm concerned, it is the biggest mistake to ever happen in this country.' In response, a member of WCC planning team said they had not been informed of which villages had been targeted but they would find out and revert back to Cllr Murphy.
Irish Independent
07-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Wicklow County Council secures 21 acre site overlooking Magheramore Beach after buyer pulls out
A BidX1 auction for the beachside parcel of land, which offers stunning panoramic views of the beach and Irish sea, took place on Thursday, March 27, and saw three bidders, including Wicklow County Council, battle it out, before it was sold to an unnamed bidder from China for €613,000, which was in excess of the €550,000 asking price. However, after the successful bidder decided not to proceed with the sale, the council was given the opportunity to complete the purchase of the important coastal amenity. Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council Emer O'Gorman said: 'We are delighted to confirm the signing of the agreement for the purchase of the lands at Magheramore. From the beginning, our aim has been to protect access to this beach and uphold the objectives of the County Development Plan.' The site had previously belonged to Paddy McKillen Jr, who purchased it in 2021, buying it for €700,000 at another online auction, which was well beyond the then asking price of €210,000. Wicklow County Council were also involved in the bidding on that auction, but were outbid. Soon after the purchase of the lands in 2021, McKillen's company Creatively Pacific Limited outlined plans for a boutique holiday resort, with the development to consist of an integrated tourism leisure recreational complex. The primary building would include a gym, sauna, cinema and outdoor pool at lower ground level, a reception bar and restaurant washrooms and outdoor terrace on the ground floor and an event room on the first floor. The proposal also included installation of 48 accommodation pods along the east of the site. Locals raised concerns over whether access to Magheramore Beach would be maintained if planning was granted for the development, and Wicklow County Council refused permission, which prompted an appeal to An Bord Pleanála, who in January refused the application due to insufficient information about the extent of tree removal and the ecological impact assessment, and concerns around effects on the Magherabeg Dunes Special Area of Conservation. Wicklow County Council's acquisition of the land at Magheramore will guarantee continued access to the beach. Furthermore, it is a step towards the County Development Plan objectives to protect the Special Area of Conservation and the National Heritage Area. Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council Cllr Paul O'Brien said: 'On behalf of the elected members of Wicklow County Council and particularly the six members of Wicklow Municipal District, we are delighted to welcome the purchase of the 21 acres of land at Magheramore by Wicklow County Council. 'This beach has long been associated with surfing and filming, serving as the backdrop for numerous TV productions including historical dramas such as Vikings and Camelot, the EastEnders spin-off series Redwater, and Amy Huberman's Finding Joy. In recent years the beach has also hosted the annual 'strip and dip', where brave swimmers venture into the waves to raise funds for cancer research.' Cathaoirleach of Wicklow Municipal District Cllr Gail Dunne said: 'This is fantastic news. The council has secured continued access to an amenity that will be enjoyed by young people and families for generations to come. I want to take this opportunity to thank the officials for their efforts in securing the purchase of the land. Magheramore is such a unique and beautiful place. Council ownership of the site is something most of the local community was calling for.' Director of finance for Wicklow County Council and Wicklow District Manager Brian Gleeson said: 'Following a long and repeated bidding process, the council was afforded the opportunity to purchase the land and we immediately acted on this to ensure a swift and efficient transfer of ownership. I also wish to acknowledge the strong community support that helped highlight the importance of preserving Magheramore Beach for public use'
Irish Independent
07-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Saga of Kippure Holiday Village rumbles on as owners lodge appeal
Wicklow County Council refused the application on a number of grounds, including concerns over the impact the works would have on a recorded monument and the potential impact it could have on the River Liffey. The proposed development from Seefin Events Unlimited sought permission for the installation of additional underground effluent storage and treatment tanks, all associated pipework, plant and equipment, construction of a new plant and storage building, new soil polishing filter together with all associated site development works. The application explained that Kippure Holiday Village generates an average of 53m3 of wastewater per day and since June 2024 Seefin Events Unlimited has committed to the daily desludging of 20m2 per working day of wastewater, which is removed off-site by sludge trucks to various Uisce Éireann waste facilities throughout Co Wicklow. The desludging is being carried out to maintain the discharge as close as possible to the currant existing license of 32m2 of waste per day. The new licence application sought to increase the existing wastewater treatment plant to 60m2 per day. The planning section of Wicklow County Council weren't satisfied that the current use of Kippure Holiday Village as a reception centre/accommodation for displaced persons, and its future extension as a tourism product, have the necessary planning consents under the Planning and Development Act 2000 and associated regulations. The proposed development to extend the existing waste water treatment system would serve such unauthorised development. Therefore, to permit the proposed development, would represent consolidation of unauthorised development on these lands. It was felt the development would unduly impact on the amenities of the area, public health, the amenities of adjoining properties, and undermine the planning regulations and the provisions of the County Development Plan. Issues were also raised over the proposed percolation area, which is to be located within the confines of a recorded monument, situated in the grounds of Kippure House. The large circular enclosure is marked a 'nursery' and defined by a low bank and shallow external fosse. It is shown with internal paths on the 1838 OS 6-inch map. There were concerns that the extent of the works for the percolation area would likely have an impact on the recorded monument, and combined with the lack of an archaeological assessment, it was considered that the development would materially contravene objectives contained in the County Development Plan, and would be contrary to proper planning and sustainable development. The submitted screening for appropriate assessment document, and the screening for environmental impact assessment document, failed to assess the in-combination impacts of the proposed development and the existing operations, development, future tourism development at Kippure Village, which are functionally interdependent. In addition, inadequate examination has been carried out in respect to the Ammonia discharge on the assimilative capacity of the groundwater, and potential impacts on the River Liffey, which forms part of the Wicklow Mountains SAC, bounds the Wicklow Mountains SPA, and is linked to the Poulaphouca Reservoir SPA, which is also a major source of public water. It was therefore felt by the planning authority they couldn't be satisfied beyond a reasonable scientific doubt, that the proposed development would not have significant effects on Natura 2000 sites. Therefore it is considered that appropriate assessment and environmental impact assessment of the proposed development is required. Furthermore, it also could not be confirmed that the development would not increase the likelihood of contaminants reaching the Poulaphouca Reservoir water source, through malfunction, lack of maintenance or otherwise. The appeal to An Bord Pleanála is due to be concluded by August 27 of this year. An Bord Pleanála is also still determining the outcome of another appeal from Seefin Events, over whether 16 structures at Kippure Lodge and Holiday Village should be deemed as exempted developments, as it is argued they are covered under Section 5 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, which would make them exempt. High Court proceedings are taking place between Wicklow County Council and the owners of Kippure Lodge and Holiday Village after enforcement notices that were issued by the local authority were not complied with.
Irish Independent
24-04-2025
- Irish Independent
Plans for five holiday pods in rural Wicklow location refused on appeal
The appeal was submitted by Niall Davis, who wanted each pod to accommodate a studio-style holiday dwelling containing a bedroom, kitchenette and toilet with shower and wash-hand basin. The plan was for each pod to be clad in timber and metallic sheeting and covered with a mono-pitch roof. Planning was also sought as part of the appeal for a sauna (126sqm), with a mono-pitch roof to be finished in metallic sheeting. The pod units were due to be served by a communal wastewater treatment system, with potable water supplied from a new well. The proposed development was to be served by an existing entrance and driveway, with a new vehicular driveway and five car parking bays to be provided. The development was initially refused by Wicklow County Council due to its rural location removed from any settlement, as objectives of the County Development Plan generally require tourism and recreation related developments to be within existing towns and villages. Exceptions can be made where the nature of the activity proposed renders this unfeasible or undesirable, but generally the authority only permits the development of a tourism or recreational facility in a rural area in cases where the product or activity is dependent on its location in a rural situation. The appeal to An Bord Pleanála was made on several grounds, including the fact that there were no council objections to the design, access, foul and surface water drainage proposals or landscaping proposals. The appeal also emphasised the importance of rural tourism to the economy, with opportunities for rural employment in tourist activities. The inspector investigating the appeal recommended that planning be refused due to its location in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, where there is existing tourism development including walking routes and mountain biking trails. The inspector noted that the requirement to locate the proposed development in this 'unique, scenic location has not been justified and the proposal does not contain a significant public element which would add to the public amenity and enjoyment of the area'. Having regard to the location of the site, nature of the proposed use, together with adjoining land uses, which are within the Wicklow Mountains SAC and Wicklow Mountains SPA, it was considered that the proposed development could indirectly result in the continued significant loss of habitat and could indirectly give rise to continued increased disturbance to wildlife, including the merlin and peregrine falcons, which are a protected species.
