PERMISSION sought for works at a site off the N68 that already featured unauthorised development has been refused, writes Owen Ryan.

Cos Wholesale Ltd has been denied planning permission to partially demolish, renovate and extend an existing commercial building at Darragh North.

The Clare County Council planner’s report into the application noted that the subject site measuring 0.572 hectares is located in the rural townland of Darragh North.

It is situated to the north of the N68 national secondary road at a point where the 100kmph speed limit applies.

The planner’s report stated, “The site accommodates a petrol filling station (and associated retail outlet), a car sales garage and forecourt and a vacant commercial unit.

“The area to the immediate east of the vacant unit comprises a rough graveled area with concrete hard stand areas on the other areas within the site. There is a right hand turning lane into the site on the national road. There is a single storey dwelling to the west of the site that is located on higher ground.”

The report noted however the proposal site includes unauthorised development for which retention permission has not been sought.

“Therefore the proposed development would facilitate further development at the location of these unauthorised works, and would therefore be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area. Permission should be refused on this basis.

“The proposed site is accessed from a section of the N68 national road where the maximum speed limit applies.

“The proposed development would constitute the over development of the site, would not be in accordance with either retail or national road planning policy, would increase traffic movements both within the site and on the national road and has not made adequate provision to facilitate the safe movement of vehicles and pedestrians. Therefore, planning permission should also be refused for these reasons.”