AN Bord Pleanála has rejected plans for a Barack Obama-style motorway plaza just outside Clarecastle.
Earlier this year, Supermac’s Owner Pat McDonagh was granted planning permission by Clare County Council for a rest stop and drive thru on the Limerick – Gort motorway but the decision has been overturned on appeal.Supermac’s has a very successful plaza at Moneygall in County Offaly and another near the M6 at Loughrea.
The planning permission in respect of the Clarecastle project was appealed by service stop rival, Applegreen, which has its own plans for a service area, 8km south of the Supermacs site.
Later, however, Applegreen and Claureen Service Station withdrew their appeals and local man, Shane Brigdale was the only remaining opposition.
The rejection of the plan represents a blow to the prospects of up to 100 jobs during the operation phase and up to 80 jobs during the construction phase.
The appeal board refused planning on three grounds, including that it would seriously injure the visual amenities of the rural area and be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
Supermacs now has the option of lodging revised plans.
Expressing disappointment at the decision, Pat McDonagh declined to make any further comment until studying the inspector’s report.
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.