An Bord Pleanála has overturned a decision to grant planning permission for a major new housing development in East Clare following an appeal from a resident’s association.
The proposal to build 52 new homes in Tuamgraney was refused after the board identified concerns for water pollution and public health.
The project would have involved the demolition of an existing pump house and the construction of 6x four-bed homes, 22x three-bed homes, and 24x two-bed homes and 121 new parking spaces on a near 4 hectare site on the Dock Road in Tuamgraney.
Last January, developer Michael Pearl received planning permission subject to 24 conditions from Clare County Council.
But less than a month later, this decision was appealed by Majella Cahill on behalf of the Reddan’s Quay Residents.
The group highlighted existing concerns over speeding, sight lines and the heavy volume of agricultural and industrial vehicles already using the L-41341, which the local authority previously described in a request for further information as “narrow, poorly surfaced and unsuited to provide access to a multi-residential development”.
It went on to claim that no road safety audit had been conducted and no traffic calming measures had been proposed and that it had serious concerns for pedestrians using the footpath who could be injured from the wing mirrors of passing cars”.
The Reddan’s Quay Residents also stated that the additional volume of cars on the very minor road would bring “untold misery for everyone” and “would bring an enormous carbon footprint as there’s very little local employment.”
Before adding that the “village would not be able to cope with the population explosion” that would result from the development as “at present the local national school is unable to cater for approximately 80 – 100 students”.
However, An Bord Pleanála would overrule Clare County Council’s decision over wastewater disposal concerns.
The board stated the applicant hadn’t demonstrated the development would not contribute to water pollution, that it would not be harmful to human health and that it wouldn’t adversely affect the water quality of the Tuamgraney and Scariff rivers.
In a separate letter to Clare County Council, An Bord Pleanála confirmed the reason for refusal is purely based on the lack of information on connectivity.
