PLANS to earmark a west Cork peninsula as a “special scenic landscape” could lead to mass migration from the area.
The warning came from locals in Beara who said the designation would devastate the peninsula. But the mayor of county Cork, who also lives there, defended the council’s proposals.
Beara Chamber of Commerce, however, said the proposed new designation — included in the draft County Development Plan — would particularly make it difficult for locals to obtain planning permission.
Michael O’Sullivan, who heads the chamber body, said: “These proposals would ultimately lead to the depopulation and devastation of the peninsula. It would make it virtually impossible for ordinary people to get planning permission.
“They would probably have to get costly Environmental Impact Studies done and, at the end of the day, would probably be still told they’d been refused planning.”
But Castletownbere-based Councillor Noel Harrington, mayor of Cork county, rejected the claims. He said that far from hindering planning applications, the proposals would make it easier for local people.
“Under the current policies only local people with a genuine housing need, an appropriate site and commitment to permanent occupancy would get planning permission.
“But under the new proposals anybody with a commitment to permanent occupancy on a suitable site would be entitled to have the restrictions lifted.”
Mr Harrington said: “It is always going to be difficult because scenic coastal areas have to be protected. But people who want to live in the Beara area should benefit from these proposals. It should enhance the local population and I would urge people to look closely at the proposals.”
More than 70 people attended a public meeting in the port town, which was chaired by Mr O’Sullivan.
He further warned the farming community would be hard hit. “Farmers would be unable to get planning for sheds and wind farms,” Mr O’Sullivan claimed.
Other objectors who attended the meeting in the Cametringane Hotel included representatives from the Irish Rural Dwellers’ Association and the Irish Farmers’ Association.
A county council spokeswoman said the proposals were on display at council offices throughout the county and also on the council’s website www.corkcoco.ie
Submissions or observations on the proposals can be made until Friday, September 26.
Mr O’Sullivan said those who attended the meeting remain unconvinced by Mr Harrington’s argument.
“All the different local bodies have agreed to come together to fight the proposal. We will send a letter to the county manager asking that the decision on implementation be postponed,” he said.
Objectors, meanwhile, plan a further meeting in Castletownbere next Tuesday night.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
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