Friday 2 May 2008

Dowra Marina Project blown out of the water

Huge blow to economic prospects in village says Feely

A development involving the construction of a 16-berth marina on the river Shannon between Lough Allen and Annagh Upper, near Dowra, and the creation of a navigable channel by Waterways Ireland, has been scuttled by An Bord Pleanála.

The Bord refused permission for the development last week, overturning a decision made by Leitrim County Council last July to grant premission for the project subject to conditions.

The decision to refuse the development has been lashed by Fianna Fáil Councillor John Paul Feeley, who claimed that the people of rural Ireland no longer have any confidence in the planning appeals board.

The appeal was brought to An Bord Pleanála by a number of parties including: Kevin Deering from Swanlinbar; An Taisce; the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government; Cavan Leitrim Environmental Awareness Network Ltd; Action for Thoughtful use of natural resources and Water World Europe.

The board gave three detailed reasons for refusing the application. It said that it was not satisfied that an appropriate assessment of the affects of the development had been carried out based on the Environmental Impact Statement and other information in the application.

It found that it had not been established that the proposed development would not have a significant adverse impact on populations of Irish Pollan, an Annex V species or their spawning grounds and that the boating activities would not result in the introduction into the area of the highly invasive Zebra Mussel, with serious impacts on the River Shannon ecosystem.

The board also considered that the proposed development, due to its isolated location and unserviced rural area at a remove from the nearby village of Dowra, would be at variance with the general provisions of the Leitrim County Development plan 2003-2009.

The decision has been savaged by local Fianna Fáil Councillor John Paul Feeley, how`s calling for the decision to be reviewed. He said it was a disgrace and a disaster for the area, that Bord Pleanala had given into to what he described as "narrow minded people" who "were plugging a single minded agenda to do down an area".

It seems they want to turn Dowra into a little theme park for themselves. He said that the proposal was to bring the navigation to within one mile of Dowra Village. He described it as a very sensible, balanced and carefully considered proposal.

Cllr. Feeley said that Waterways Ireland is very annoyed about the decision. "We have to refocus on the objective and that it to bring the Shannon navigation as near Dowra as possible and find ways to accomplish that."

He said the project had the widespread support of the local community and for An Bord Pleanála to it down is essentially saying "to the people of rural Ireland, you opinions do not matter".

Mr Feeley said that the people of rural Ireland had no confidence in Bord Pleanala. "The operation and activities of The board needs to be very carefully examined in the light of this decision".

Tourism chief concerned

Meanwhile, the newly appointed chairman of Failte Ireland North West, Paschal Mooney, has expressed serious concern at the Bord`s decision and voiced his concerns at Monday`s Failte Ireland North West Board meeting.

"There was unanimous agreement that this decision could have an adverse effect on the tourism potential of the Lough Allen basin and its environs," he said.

"I would strongly urge Waterways Ireland to look at the judgement in detail and to address the objections with a view to re-submitting a further application. The proposed

Canal forms part of a tourism development plan for an area that is socially and economically disadvantaged and if completed would generate significant income for the local economy and the wider Leitrim, West Cavan and North Roscommon region," concluded Mr. Mooney.

However, Speaking on behalf of Cavan Leitrim Environmental Awareness Network Ltd, Mr. Peter Crossan said that the board`s decision was quite comprehensive and wideranging. It was a very definite decision and there was no ambuigity about it. "I`m very pleased about that."

Sean McMahon
Anglo Celt

www.buckplanning.ie

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