Tain holiday village plan overturned

Irish Indo'

BORD Pleanala has overturned a planning approval for the Tain Holiday Village at Carlingford Lough in Omeath, Co Louth, despite the project winning support from both Louth County Council and Bord Pleanala's own inspector.

Prime Leisure Ltd, which is headed by Newry couple Rosaleen and Michael Quinn, had planned to build 98 holiday homes and refurbish and extend existing elements including the hostel, the leisure buildings, and recreational facilities.

However the Board said it would not be feasible to confine the houses to holiday occupancy only and the board considered that the plans could not be considered to be an integrated tourism development. It said it would not therefore be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

The Board also points out the current Louth County Development Plan aims to protect the scenic quality of the landscape and amenity value of the coast but the proposed development would seriously detract from the visual amenity and landscape character of the area and would, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

In contrast the board's inspector, Brian Brannigan, had recommended approval for the project and said that the visual impact when viewed from the road would be limited. He also proposed tree planting and other measures to minimise the visual impact of the development.