Deputy Steven Matthews has confirmed that An Bord Pleanála’s decision over an appeal against the refusal of planning permission for a boutique hotel resort overlooking Magheramore beach has been delayed.
Deputy Matthews said the Bord wrote to him and said they could not provide the decision within the statutory timeframe of 18 weeks due to a backlog of cases, and will now instead issue a decision by February 6 of 2024.
Paddy McKillen Jnr’s Oakmount purchased the 21 acres of land at Magheramore during a public auction held in June of 2021, paying €700,000 for the site, which had an asking price of just €210,000.
The €40 million development comprises of an integrated tourism, leisure and recreational complex with 48 accommodation pods and a surf school on a 2.95 hectare portion of the 8.5 hectare site.
Plans also included a two-storey over lower ground-level building containing a gym, sauna, cinema and an outdoor swimming pool (24m x 10m) at lower ground level, a reception, bar and restaurant, washrooms and outdoor terrace at ground level, and an event room at first-floor level.
Permission had also been sought for 49 car parking spaces and 13 bike parking spaces, while the enhancement and supplementation of existing planting was proposed to protect the existing ecology.
Wicklow County Council refused planning in March of this year and outlined seven reasons for refusal, including the failure to demonstrate that the development would not adversely affect the Magherabeg Dunes, which are a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
Creatively Pacific Limited lodged an appeal against Wicklow County Council’s decision with An Bord Pleanála in June, with the initial decision date of late October now pushed back to early February.
Deputy Matthews said, “Earlier this year Wicklow County Council refused permission to Creatively Pacific Ltd for a boutique holiday resort at the ecologically sensitive Magheramore beach, a Special Area of Conservation. The firm appealed the decision and I submitted an observation on the appeal, having made a lengthy submission on the original planning application.
“I feel the proposed development is completely unsuitable for the protected are and falls foul of our obligations to protect this special area of conservation. I am very concerned about the impact on water quality, the impact on curlew feeding grounds, artificial light impact and the loss of habitats associated with development works
” A great many members of the local community and beyond made their thoughts known during the application process and I believe Wicklow County Council made the correct decision. I hope the Board follows suit.”
Source : Iris Independent
