OK for housing makes waves in seaside resort

CONTROVERSY concerning the overdevelopment of the popular seaside village of Ennis-crone is mounting after the revelation that An Bord Pleanala has granted planning permission for almost 200 residential units . . . even though one of its own inspectors said the plan was too large and should be rejected. The proposed development will include a mix of apartments, terraced housing, semi-detached units, retail units and a creche. There has been criticism of the size of the development and the impact it will have on the small sea side resort which led to two local residents - Brendan and Deirdre Quinn - appealing against Sligo County Council’s original decision to grant planning permission.

Enniscrone is one of the jewels of County Sligo's coastline, and one of the most desirable places to live in the North-West. Now, following a decision by An Bord Pleanala, 200 new homes will be built there - homes which are not needed, according to objectors. Among those are one of the board's own inspectors! SHARON CONWAY reports.

CONTROVERSY concerning the overdevelopment of the popular seaside village of Ennis-crone is mounting after the revelation that An Bord Pleanala has granted planning permission for almost 200 residential units . . . even though one of its own inspectors said the plan was too large and should be rejected.

The proposed development will include a mix of apartments, terraced housing, semi-detached units, retail units and a creche.

There has been criticism of the size of the development and the impact it will have on the small sea side resort which led to two local residents - Brendan and Deirdre Quinn - appealing against Sligo County Council's original decision to grant planning permission.

The developers, The Hannon Family, had originally sought to build 211 units, however, An Bord Pleanala reduced this number to 197 units before granting permission. Planning was granted despite the fact that the board's own inspector, Emer Doyle, recommended that permission for the development be withheld due to its scale. In her eport, she said that she was not satisfied that a development of this size would be appropriate for Ennis-crone.

She said in her report: "I am of the view that there will be insufficient local demand for a housing estate of this scale. I consider that this estate will result in an over supply of houses in the area and will result in empty houses."

The proposed layout includes 72 three-bed semi-detached homes, 65 three-bed terraced houses, four 4-bed detached homes and 88 apartments (24 one-bedroom, the rest two-bedroom), 3 retail units and a creche.

The board says it reached the decision to give the go ahead to the developers after looking at Enniscrone's Local Area Plan and its designation as a key support town in the current plan.

It stipulated that the dwellings would be used for permanent residential occupancy as opposed to holiday homes and that ten units be removed from the development to create a public green zone.

It also stated that the development be subject to conditions ensuring that there would be no serious injury to the amenities or property of the area and, that it would be acceptable in terms of traffic safety and convenience.

An Bord Pleanala also laid down conditions for phasing the development in three stages, with the next phase not allowed to begin until the previous one is finished.

Sharon Conway

© Sligo Weekender