Sruthán Pier, Carraroe Glamping Pods Approved
MKO is pleased to have received a grant of permission following an appeal to An Bord Pleanála for the development of 12 no. luxury glamping villas and an enclosed playground in Sruthán, Carraroe, Co. Galway. The project seeks to enhance and support the approved Marine and Cultural Heritage Centre at the Sruthán Pier, which will become a flagship tourism venue in South Connemara and on the Wild Atlantic Way.
Planning news
Solar appeal dismissed
The Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal by the ‘Concerned Residents of Treascon and Clondoolusk’ against An Bord Pleanála decision to grant planning permission for a solar energy facility in Co. Offaly. The proposed development, which has Elgin Energy Services Limited as the applicant for development, intends to build and operate a solar-powered electricity generating station and solar panel arrays on a 90-hectare site in the townlands of Treascon and Clondooluck. The appeal against the Board’s decision purported that the decision to grant development was invalid as it contravenes EU directives on habitats and Environmental Impact Assessments. The Supreme Court’s judgement dismissed all items within the appeal due to the substantive issues raised being found to be either misconceived or premature.
Wind energy updates
Wind Energy Ireland (WEI) has highlighted that An Bord Pleanála has approved just a quarter of the needed wind energy capacity to keep Ireland on track to meet its climate targets so far this year. So far in 2024, four wind farms equalling 228MW of energy capacity have been permitted. Eight more were rejected during this time period, and 30 projects are still waiting for a decision from the Board as of the end of June.
WEI has estimated that to achieve the goal of 9,000MW of onshore wind energy by 2030, as outlined in the Government’s Climate Action Plan, 860MW of new projects would need to be approved by the beginning of 2024. Regarding challenges facing potential developers in getting permission, WEI highlighted that county development plans often have tension between the respective plans with National and European Policy. In several instances, development plans have been leveraged to block the development of wind farms. This includes cases where zoning was changed after the announcement of intention to develop a site, or even after a planning application had been submitted. Despite these challenges, it was noted that decision times at the Board had fallen by almost 20% in some cases.
3D Homes
The first homes in Ireland to be built utilising 3D printing began construction in Dundalk in July 2024. The development consists of three social housing units which will be given to Louth County Council. The 3D printing process for building habitable structures, brought to Ireland by HTL Construction, consists of piping concrete following a digital plan to create cavity walls. Though the process is expected to have similar costs to traditional building, it is expected to reduce the construction timeline by 25-30% and potentially enable housing to be completed considerably faster. The construction manager on site noted that the finished product is expected to be far superior to current building practices.
Dart+ West
An Bord Pleanála approved DART+ West on the 18th of July 2024. The application for the major railway development had been under consideration just 11 days short of two years. The proposed line makes provision for the upgrade of the existing Sligo mainline from Connolly to an electrified regional service up to Maynooth and the M3 Parkway stations, the construction of the Spencer Dock station, and interface with both the future Dart+ South West and MetroLink rail lines at Glasnevin. The line will enable the development of new communities, and the regeneration of those already along the line, enabling the delivery of thousands of homes.
However, the proposed depot which was to serve the enhanced rail line was removed via condition by the Board due to flooding concerns. As such, Iarnród Éireann will not be able to expand on its recent record purchase of electric DART trains, despite the need for them to operate the improved railway, until a new depot is brought forward and approved.
Of major transport projects, Galway Cross City Link is now the one currently waiting the longest for a decision from An Bord Pleanála, followed by Metrolink.
Key consultations per the OPR
Castlecomer, Kilkenny Issues Paper for Local Area Plan
Kilkenny County Council has commenced the process for a new Local Area Plan for Castlecomer and has published an Issues Paper which is available for submissions. The Issues Paper sets out key planning issues with an emphasis on the regeneration and enhancement of the existing services and facilities. An additional focus of the Paper includes the intended vision for Castlecomer, water services, community facilities and amenities, tourism, built and landscape heritage, public amenity open space and recreation, economic development, town centre development, and transport.
The Draft Issues Paper is available for public consultation from 19th July through 23rd August 2024. Submissions can be made up to this date.
- Post: In a letter addressed to: The Senior Planner, Planning Department, Kilkenny County Council, County Hall, John Street, Kilkenny.
- Email: ourplan@kilkennycoco.ie
Draft Dundalk Local Area Plan 2024-2030
Louth County Council has published the draft Dundalk Local Area Plan (LAP) 2024-2030 for the Dundalk area. This LAP provides planning guidance and policy objectives for the overall development strategy of Dundalk with a focus on the issues of population and economic growth, delivery of housing and community facilities, regeneration, potential impacts of climate change, environmental protection and investment in transportation and water services infrastructure.
- Email: portlaoiselap@laoiscoco.ie
- Post: In a letter addressed to: Forward Planning Section, Louth County Council, Town Hall, Crowe Street, Dundalk, Co. Louth, A91 W20C