Tesco's plan to build two wind turbines - taller than Liberty Hall - in the north Dublin countryside is being challenged by local residents.
Appeals have been lodged with An Bord Pleanála against a decision for the go-ahead to the plan.
The turbines are so tall that search and rescue helicopters will have to plot new routes to safely bypass the turbines in poor visibility.
In addition, air traffic control at Dublin Airport has concerns that the two turbines - which would soar nearly 100 metres over Donabate, Portrane and the surrounding areas - would be picked up by its radar system.
As well as the residents' move to block the plan, Tesco itself is appealing conditions set down by Fingal County Council planners.
The turbines are to be built to help power the retail giant's distribution centre in Donabate. They will have a support base of 65 metres, topped by a huge blade that will bring the total height to 91 metres.
By comparison, Liberty Hall is just 60 metres and the country's tallest building - the Elysian in Cork - is 72 metres in height.
Following concerns raised by both the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) and Dublin Airport, Tesco engaged a consultancy to determine the potential impact. The major concerns expressed by the IAA were addressed and Fingal County Council granted permission subject to 15 strict conditions.
In its appeal, the Donabate Portrane Community Council cites the local authority's development plan, which states that renewable energy developments should not have an unacceptable impact on the character and appearance of the surrounding area.
The appeal states that photomontages included with the planning application "clearly show the surrounding area visually impacted significantly".
Particular concerns are raised over the the impact on Newbridge Demesne - a heritage area of national importance - Broadmeadows estuary and Rogerstown estuary, which are both designated Special Conservation Areas.
"The turbines will be visible from within Newbridge Demesne," the appeal states. "Newbridge Demesne is not only a public amenity, it is a tourist attraction and decreasing its attraction has economic consequences for the Donabate area."
Local residents, John and Maeve Riordan, complain in their appeal that the turbines would visually dominate the area. They also describe the potential impact on flight paths from Dublin Airport as a "primary concern."
Planning permission was granted after information was clarified with the IAA, but the organisation "continued to issue caution", the appeal points out.
www.buckplanning.ie
Showing posts with label fingal planning department. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fingal planning department. Show all posts
Thursday, 6 May 2010
Tuesday, 16 March 2010
Aldi to build branch near Martello tower
LOW-COST SUPERMARKET chain Aldi has been granted permission to build a branch on the Portmarnock coast, opposite one of Dublin’s most popular beaches.
Fingal County Council this week granted permission for the supermarket in the grounds of the White Sands Hotel on the Strand Road opposite the Portmarnock Martello tower and beach, despite having received more than 50 objections to the plan.
The supermarket and off-licence development will have a 75-space car park, and will involve demolition of some hotel buildings.
Objections centred on the effect the development would have on one of Dublin’s best beaches known as the “velvet strand” and on the increase in traffic, particularly in summer months.
Local Portmarnock Labour Councillor Peter Coyle said he believed the decision was made in error based on a “colouring mistake” on the county development plan. Prior to 2005, the area was zoned as residential. However, this was seen as unfairly limiting to the hotel which had been on the site since the 1930s, Mr Coyle said.
To allow the hotel to build complementary facilities such as a leisure centre or a swimming pool, the councillors decided to include a provision in the 2005 development plan to give the hotel lands their own zoning. This zoning was included as a “local objective” to “retain the primary use of hotel on this site”. However, the colour used in the development plan map to indicate the new zoning was the same as that used to indicate suburban centre zoning.
Aldi “picked up on the colour”, Mr Coyle said and made their application on this basis. “The county manager should have intervened and it is very disappointing that he didn’t.”
Mr Coyle said he had appealed to county manager David O’Connor to become directly involved: “I am now going to appeal the council’s decision to An Bord Pleanála and I will seek an oral hearing.”
A spokeswoman for Fingal County Council said the council does not comment on individual planning applications or decisions.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Fingal County Council this week granted permission for the supermarket in the grounds of the White Sands Hotel on the Strand Road opposite the Portmarnock Martello tower and beach, despite having received more than 50 objections to the plan.
The supermarket and off-licence development will have a 75-space car park, and will involve demolition of some hotel buildings.
Objections centred on the effect the development would have on one of Dublin’s best beaches known as the “velvet strand” and on the increase in traffic, particularly in summer months.
Local Portmarnock Labour Councillor Peter Coyle said he believed the decision was made in error based on a “colouring mistake” on the county development plan. Prior to 2005, the area was zoned as residential. However, this was seen as unfairly limiting to the hotel which had been on the site since the 1930s, Mr Coyle said.
To allow the hotel to build complementary facilities such as a leisure centre or a swimming pool, the councillors decided to include a provision in the 2005 development plan to give the hotel lands their own zoning. This zoning was included as a “local objective” to “retain the primary use of hotel on this site”. However, the colour used in the development plan map to indicate the new zoning was the same as that used to indicate suburban centre zoning.
Aldi “picked up on the colour”, Mr Coyle said and made their application on this basis. “The county manager should have intervened and it is very disappointing that he didn’t.”
Mr Coyle said he had appealed to county manager David O’Connor to become directly involved: “I am now going to appeal the council’s decision to An Bord Pleanála and I will seek an oral hearing.”
A spokeswoman for Fingal County Council said the council does not comment on individual planning applications or decisions.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
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