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The Journal
20-06-2025
- Business
- The Journal
Planning permission refused for new filling station on site of Creeslough explosion
PLANNING PERMISSION FOR a new filling station on the site of the explosion in Creeslough, Co Donegal in which ten people were killed has been refused by An Coimisiún Pleanála. Donegal County Council granted permission to Vivo Shell Limited to redevelop a service station and shop at the site in February. The decision was appealed by a number of family members of those killed in the blast in October 2022. Today, An Coimisiún Pleanála – which has replaced An Bord Pleanála – revealed that they are turning down the application. The planning authority said the proposed plan was 'out of character' with its surroundings in the village. The body said: 'Having regard to the existing character and the prevailing pattern of development in Creeslough, it is considered that the proposed development (as amended), by reason of its overall architectural treatment, scale and design, would be out of character with its surroundings, would seriously detract from the architectural character and setting of Creeslough and the streetscape and approach from Letterkenny generally. 'It is considered therefore, that the proposed development would be contrary to Policy ED-P-9, of the County Development Plan, 2024 2023 being of inappropriate layout and building design in the context of the existing landscape. 'To permit the proposed scheme (as amended) at this prominent location could have such a negative effect on the visual amenity and local character of Creeslough as to negatively impact on the wider , long-term regeneration and renewal of the village. 'The proposed development would, therefore, seriously injure the visual amenities of the area and the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.' Advertisement The proposed rebuild had allowed for the demolition of the existing building and the construction of a new structure that includes a shop, post office, deli, off-license, and fuel forecourt. A memorial garden and light-based sculpture with ten metal poles commemorating those who perished in the tragedy was also planned for the site. However, many of the families who lost loved ones in the tragedy said this was an insult to their memory considering they died in the metal and rubble of the blast. The families are still digesting the news which was relayed to them by their legal team and was also delivered by Donegal County Council. In a statement on behalf of the families affected by the tragedy, Phoenix Law said they have welcomed the decision. 'Phoenix Law made detailed submissions to the planning panel on behalf of the families, which were accepted by the panel, granting the appeal,' they said in a statement. 'Proposing development on this site while a criminal investigation is still ongoing was deeply inappropriate. The families believe the ground should be treated with dignity and respect, given the scale of loss and trauma suffered. The initial decision to grant planning permission rubbed salt in the wounds of the families. Darragh Mackin of Phoenix Law said: 'Today's decision has restored faith in the rule of law, where victims are treated with dignity and respect. 'We continue to call for a full public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. The families remain committed to seeking truth, accountability and justice.' One of the family members who lost a loved one in the tragedy said 'This is terrific news. When we got the news yesterday that there would not be an oral hearing we were so disappointed and feared the worst. 'This is tremendous news. We simply do not want a new service station on the site in which our loved ones died.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Examiner
20-06-2025
- Irish Examiner
An Bord Pleanála blocks Creeslough service station plan on site of tragic 2022 explosion
An Bord Pleanála has overturned planning permission for a new filling station on the site of the 2022 explosion in Creeslough, Co Donegal, where ten people were killed. Donegal County Council had granted permission to Vivo Shell Limited in February to redevelop the service station and shop at the site. The decision was appealed by several family members of those killed in the October 2022 blast. Today, An Bord Pleanála announced it was rejecting the application. The planning authority said the proposed development was "out of character" with its surroundings in the village. The body said "Having regard to the existing character and the prevailing pattern of development in Creeslough, it is considered that the proposed development (as amended), by reason of its overall architectural treatment, scale and design, would be out of character with its surroundings, would seriously detract from the architectural character and setting of Creeslough and the streetscape and approach from Letterkenny generally. "It is considered, therefore, that the proposed development would be contrary to Policy ED-P-9 of the County Development Plan, 2024, 2023 being of inappropriate layout and building design in the context of the existing landscape. "To permit the proposed scheme (as amended) at this prominent location could have such a negative effect on the visual amenity and local character of Creeslough as to negatively impact on the wider, long-term regeneration and renewal of the village. "The proposed development would, therefore, seriously injure the visual amenities of the area and the proper planning and sustainable development of the area." The proposed rebuild included the demolition of the existing building and the construction of a new structure comprising a shop, post office, deli, off-license, and fuel forecourt. 'Deeply inappropriate' Families affected by the Creeslough tragedy have welcomed the decision to overturn planning permission on the site of the fatal 2022 explosion. In a statement issued through Phoenix Law, which represented them in the appeal, the families said the proposal to redevelop the location while a criminal investigation remains ongoing was "deeply inappropriate." They said the site, where 10 people lost their lives in an explosion at an Applegreen service station, should be treated with "dignity and respect" in light of the scale of loss and trauma experienced by the community. Phoenix Law's Darragh Mackin said the outcome had "restored faith in the rule of law, where victims are treated with dignity and respect." He added that the families continue to call for a full public inquiry into the circumstances of the disaster, and remain committed to pursuing 'truth, accountability and justice.' A memorial garden and light-based sculpture featuring ten metal poles to commemorate those who died in the explosion were also planned for the site. However, many of the families who lost loved ones in the tragedy viewed the redevelopment as an insult to their memory, especially considering that their relatives died in the metal and rubble of the original blast. The families are still processing the news, which was relayed to them by their legal team and communicated by Donegal County Council. One of the family members who lost a loved one said, "This is terrific news. When we got the news yesterday that there would not be an oral hearing, we were so disappointed and feared the worst. "This is tremendous news. We simply do not want a new service station on the site in which our loved ones died."
BBC News
04-03-2025
- BBC News
Isle of Man: Fresh bid for Summerland fire inquest submitted
A formal application for a fresh inquest into the deaths of 50 people in the 1973 Summerland fire disaster has been submitted to the Isle of Man's Attorney Justice for Summerland Group, made up of survivors and relatives of victims, has previously called for the original misadventure verdicts to be human rights law firm Phoenix Law, representing the families, said it wanted to reopen the case to "ensure a comprehensive investigation" using "modern legal and forensic standards".The Isle of Man government has been contacted by the BBC for a response. About 3,000 people were at the Summerland entertainment complex, which at the time was one of the biggest indoor leisure complexes in Europe, when a blaze broke out on the evening of 2 August 1973,It was thought to have been started by three boys from Liverpool smoking.A public inquiry held in the aftermath found there were "no villains" and only human beings who made mistakes. 'Fresh evidence' However, making its application, Phoenix Law said there had been an "irregularity of proceedings in the original inquest" which had not commented on or addressed "substantial issues" including the cause of the firm said there was "substantial fresh evidence which was not heard at the original inquest or commission which call into question the central conclusions", suggesting the forensic analysis of the time was now "unreliable". Manx fire crews remember 'horror' of Summerland disaster A spokesman also said several experts had provided written support for a fresh investigation into the fire "on the premise that there have been significant developments within the forensic science on how fires are investigated". He said they had pointed to the Stardust Fire, in which 48 young people died in a fire in a north Dublin nightclub in 1981, where "the cause of fire was established many years after the event".The firm's Darragh Mackin, who last year represented many families affected in the Stardust fire, said the relatives of those killed at Summerland had "raised concerns about the original investigation" for was "difficult to envisage a more compelling set of circumstances to which point firmly in favour of a fresh investigation", he added. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
BBC News
26-02-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Formal bid for fresh Summerland fire inquest not yet received
A formal application for a fresh inquest into the 50 people killed in the Summerland fire disaster in 1973 has not been made, the chief minister has confirmed. The Justice for Summerland Group, made up of survivors and relatives of victims, said last May that it would make a formal bid to overturn the original misadventure Cannan said the Attorney General had not received a formal campaign group, which appointed Belfast-based human rights law firm Phoenix Law to act for the families last year, said taking legal action over the issues was still its intention. Darragh Mackin from the legal firm last year represented many families of 48 young people killed in the Stardust fire in Dublin in 1981, who successfully fought for their own fresh inquest. 'Long overdue justice' Cannan told the House of Keys the Attorney General (AG) had received a letter on 20 May from the firm that said it intended to make an application for a fresh inquest in the coming the AG had confirmed he had not received an application, but would "give his full consideration to such a request at the time should one be received", Cannan Faragher MHK questioned whether Cannan acknowledged that a fresh inquest could provide "long overdue justice and closure for the families affected". He said government had paid "full respects" to those who lost their lives along with those who dealt with the tragedy and had he said it was "not for me to make judgement on what happened at Summerland" and it would be for the AG to consider whether an inquest was 3,000 people were at the Summerland entertainment complex on the evening 2 August 1973, which at the time was one of the biggest indoor leisure complexes in Europe, when a blaze thought to have been started by three boys from Liverpool smoking broke out.A public inquiry held in the aftermath of the tragedy found there were "no villains", only human beings who made mistakes. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
