2460322
DEVELOPMENT AT A 28.5.6HA SITE AT REENROE, EMLAGHMORE WEST, BALLINSKELLIGS, CO. KERRY. THE DEVELOPMENT WILL CONSIST Of AN INTEGRATED TOURISM/ LEISURE PARK FIRST COMPRISING OF THE PARTIAL DEMOLITION, EXTENSION AND REDEVELOPMENT OF THE EXISTING DERELICT HOTEL, TO INCLUDE; 4 NO. SELF-CATERING STUDIO APARTMENTS; 3 NO. ONE BED SELF-CATERING APARTMENT; 15 NO. TWO BEDS SELF-CATERING APARTMENTS; A BAR; DINING ROOM; ROOFTOP RESTAURANT; SHOP; ESB SUBSTATION AND SWITCH ROOMS; STANDBY GENERATOR ROOM, AND BIN STORES. THE REMAINDER OF THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT WILL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: 6 NO. HOBBIT HUTS, 21 NO. GLAMPING PODS, 25 NO. HOLIDAY HOMES, 144 NO. MOBILE HOMES, 20 NO. CAMPERVAN STANDS, 0.8HA TENT CAMPING AREA, WASHROOM AND TOILET FACILITIES 58M2, MAINTENANCE BUILDING 618M2, LEISURE COMPLEX (WITH A SWIMMING POOL) 1,339.5M2, SURF SHOP 191.7M2/CAFÉ 126.5M2, NATURAL PLAY AREA, CENTRAL PARK AREA, 151 NO. CAR PARKING SPACES, INCLUDING COACH PARKING, 40 NO. BICYCLE SPACES, EV CHARGING POINTS, INTERNAL ROADS, FOOTPATHS, WASTE STORAGE AREAS, WIDENING OF BEACH ACCESS ROAD TO 6M FOR TWO-WAY TRAFFIC INCLUDING A PEDESTRIAN/CYCLE PATHWAY, UPGRADING OF EXISTING CLIFF WALK, NEW ACCESS ROAD AND SERVICES LINES TO TWO NEIGHBOURING DWELLINGS TO THE SOUTHWEST OF THE DEVELOPMENT SITE, NEW WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEM WITH CLEAR WATER PUMP STATION AND UV SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED CONSTRUCTED INTEGRATED WETLAND, SITE DRAINAGE, 2 NO. STANDBY GENERATORS, WATER SERVICES AND LANDSCAPING. THE PROJECT INCLUDES ALL ANCILLARY AND ASSOCIATED WORKS NECESSARY TO FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT. AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT HAS BEEN PREPARED IN RESPECT OF THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT AND ACCOMPANIES THIS APPLICATION.
Core Refusal Reason
The proposed development was refused due to its excessive scale in a visually sensitive coastal area, which contravenes visitor accommodation policies, alongside unresolved concerns regarding wastewater treatment, public water supply capacity, and potential negative impacts on nearby Special Protection Areas (SPAs).
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The scale and extent of the proposed holiday accommodation are considered excessive for this visually sensitive coastal site and fail to comply with the County Development Plan's objectives for appropriately scaled visitor facilities.
- The applicant failed to demonstrate that the proposed on-site wastewater treatment system and the increased demand on the public water supply would not lead to environmental pollution or service disruptions for the local community.
- The development poses a significant risk to protected biodiversity, specifically regarding light pollution and water quality impacts on avian species within the Puffin Island and Deenish/Scariff Island Special Protection Areas.