Lisdoonvarna plans on hold

PLANS to build a new classroom, woodwork store and carpark at Mary Immaculate School in Lisdoonvarna will have to be put on hold as An Board Pleanála considers an appeal against the proposals.

A decision by Clare County Council to grant planning permission to the school’s board of management to demolish existing outbuildings, build a new classroom and woodwork store and to construct a retaining wall and car park was recently appealed to the board.
The local authority had granted planning permission to the development subject to six conditions in October.
A Dublin-based consultancy firm appealed the council’s decision on behalf of John Mooney of 3 Tivoli Terrace, Rathbaun, Lisdoonvarna.
In the appeal, Tom Cregg of DML Consulting pointed out that Mr Mooney owned the house directly north of the site of the proposed development.
He claimed the rear garden of the adjoining property at 2 Tivoli Terrace had been purchased by the school’s board of management to provide a carpark and outbuildings at the side of the existing school.
DML had made an observation to Clare County Council in August outlining Mr Mooney’s concerns about the location of the proposed retaining wall, finishes and constructions issues to this wall, drainage details, traffic management issues and what he claimed could be an “increased risk of traffic accidents due to the restricted nature of the entrance on to a national road”.
Outlining the specific grounds for appeal, the document stated, “It is our considered opinion that the proposed development will seriously injure the amenities of the area, properties in the vicinity and in particular the adjacent site at 3 Tivoli Terrace.”
In the submission, Mr Cregg asserted that “prior to the planning application being submitted, a considerable amount of excavation works had been carried out to the rear gardens of number two and three. This work was carried out without Mr Mooney’s knowledge or consent.”
“My client has severe reservations regarding the position of the proposed retaining wall. Precise dimensions are not shown on the drawings and the dimensions that are shown are referenced from buildings to be constructed on site. A problem arises in that the position of these buildings are not clearly defined, resulting in the confusion as to the position of the retaining wall,” Mr Cregg stated in the appeal.
Elements of the planned finish of the retaining wall are also at issue.
A proposed rail on top of the wall, Mr Cregg claimed, “will result in a structure that is overbearing, out of character with the existing terrain and severely destroy the existing amenity Mr Mooney has enjoyed. A concrete wall finish is completely at odds with the existing terrain in County Clare where stone predominantly exists and contrary to good planning and development”.
According to the appeal, a number of issues arise relating to the carpark entrance and exit. The proposed access point to the carpark is via a lane to side of 2 Tivoli Terrace.
“The residents along Tivoli Terrace have a right of way over the lane giving access to the rear of the houses,” Mr Cregg asserted.
In the appeal, he claims the assessment of lane usage is “incorrect and understated as these additional residents frequently use the lane in addition to Mr Kelly at 2 Tivoli Terrace. It should also be noted that only 60% of the carpark is utilised and we estimate that an additional 12 car spaces can be provided. This will bring the total number of spaces to 28 which greatly increases the potential traffic use of the car park. This additional traffic volume has not been taken into consideration in the traffic management plan.”
The appeal also states that “the potential traffic hazard occurs at the exit from the carpark onto the main road way”.
“This is a busy national primary route with additional traffic volumes at this junction due to the location of a supermarket across the road and a church adjacent to the school. The sight lines are restricted due to vehicles parking on both sides of the road.”
“We conclude that due to the increased traffic movements exiting onto the main road and the restricted lines of sight, this will result in increased traffic hazard and accident risk at this junction. This is contrary to good planning and development for the area,” Mr Cregg claimed in the appeal. He asked An Bord Pleanála to uphold the appeal and overturn Clare County Council’s decision.
The case is due to be decided in April next year.