This article is from page 21 of the 2008-02-26 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 21 JPG
A NEWMARKET-ON-FERGUS couple has claimed that if planning permission is granted for a grey- hound-training operation near the village, it will expose agricultural animals to a serious risk of death by marauding packs of greyhounds. Last year, Clare County Council eranted planning permission to Leo McNulty to retain seven greyhound kennels, a training track, 11 enclosed eCoyea meu etomreDeLGmr- Mees noaYd eLO)UN NCO Mus) OF:1 O00 R-e
tion unit incorporating 20 kennels.
However, the plan encountered stiff local opposition. A number of ap- peals have now been lodged with An Bord Pleanala.
In an appeal to An Bord Pleanala, consultant for Gerard and Joan Mc- Mahon, John Garrett stated, “It is our very firm belief that this devel- opment is not in keeping with the ex- isting rural character of this area, has and will affect neighbours’ ability to enjoy the residential amenity of their existing properties, exposes agricul-
tural animals to serious risk of death by marauding packs of greyhounds should an escape occur and limits the future development potential of sig- nificant areas of surrounding areas.”
Mr Garrett states, “The council, subsequent to the granting of per- mission, is seeking a management system and noise survey. Having re- gard to the community’s experience to date, it is our respectful submis- sion that this approach endangers the rural community contrary to the common good.”
As part of the decision to grant planning, the council required Mr McNulty to carry out a comprehen- sive noise survey of the dogs on site.
However, Mr Garnett said, “It is our submission that the condition is aspirational in nature and provide no specific measurable, achievable or realistic proposals that will serve to protect the community at large where there is already unease regarding this development as a result of noise from the development in so far as it has been constructed to date.
Mr Garnett continued, “The add1i- tional 20 kennels represent a further development with the potential to ex- acerbate an already serious problem for the community.
“It is our respectful submission that the adverse experience of several neighbours should take precedence over the specialist noise surveys which formed part of the planning application.
“The application has attracted a number of negative submissions which we believe all have merit.”