This article is from page 16 of the 2007-08-28 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 16 JPG
A LAHINCH businessman has told An Bord Pleanala that he must be allowed to pursue his living without interruption from revellers from an adjoining pub on the Main Street of the resort.
Last month, the council gave Flanagan’s pub the go-ahead for an extension to their operation, ruling that it was in accordance with the proper planning and development of the area. However, Pat Kenny of the
adjoining jewellery shop Gems of Eves/Allure has appealed the deci- sion to An Bord Pleanala.
In his appeal, Mr Kenny said: “The construction of this area will not stop the existing problem of cus- tomers smoking and drinking on the main street as people in the front bar will use the street as it is more con- (os Ob CoOL
“We will now have intoxicated cus- tomers at the front, side and possibly on top of our premises. This is a busy resort town with a constant party
mood during the summer months.
‘“Flanagan’s bar has live music every single night of the summer. We have endured this noise for years and are now completely surrounded by it. My shop is selling jewellery and high quality goods.”
“It is not helped by the rukus next door spilling out into the street and now from my backyard. I need to be allowed to pursue my living without this type of interruption
‘My business stays open late in the summer months and currently has to
contend with only the noise from the main street as there are currently no openings from Flanagan’s bar facing my building.
“If this new plan is allowed, there will be upstairs windows from the existing domestic area, the new large glazing and the doors in the court- yard as well as the clients in the courtyard to contend with. The noise level will be unbearable.
“The construction of this extension will devalue my property. The sub- stantial increase in the size of the bar
and the opening of so many windows and doors facing my property will all mean greater light and disturbance.”
In a submission to the council, Flanagan’s bar stated, “With these measures, it would be anticipated that the courtyard would not contribute to producing a significantly greater disturbance than what is currently on site from the opening of windows to provide natural ventilation to the bar areas.”
A decision is expected before the end of the year.