This article is from page 6 of the 2008-04-08 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 6 JPG
AMBITIOUS plans for a new hotel on the Main Street of the north Clare resort of Lahinch have been given the go-ahead.
Clare County Council has given William Stackpoole the go-ahead to construct the 16-room hotel in spite of opposition from Pat Kenny of Main Street, Lahinch and Donal Kenny of Kenny Woollen Mills.
In a hard-hitting objection against the planning application lodged by William Stackpoole, Pat Kenny claimed, “This proposed develop- ment is over-build of the worst kind. This is a village. This site is a cottage with a small yard and some outhous- es. The proposal to build 16 apart- ments, restaurant, bar and reception areas on this small site is ludicrous and has already been refused by An Bord Pleanala.”
Mr Kenny states, “This develop- ment does not materially differ from the previous application that was re- fused by An Bord Pleanala. The cur- rent proposal shows only cosmetic differences from the previously re- fused plan and none of the root issues of the refusal have been addressed.
“The construction of this un- derground car-park will certainly compromise the structure of Kenny Woollen Mills and Avondale Apart- ment Block to the south of the devel- opment.”
In his objection, Donal Kenny stat- ed, “I own a building, Kenny Wool- len Mills, directly south of the site. This proposed development would seriously devalue my property.
My building is being overlooked by this proposed development. We will have windows facing directly into apartments and commercial areas. Privacy 1s compromised.”
However, in the planner’s report, the council planner stated, “It is considered that the proposed three- storey building is of an appropriate scale for the main street of Lahi- nch, having regard to the respective heights of the adjacent buildings to the north, Shamrock Inn and south, Kenny’s Woollen Mills.”
The council gave the plan the go- ahead taking into account the urban setting and concluded that it would not seriously injure the amenities of the area and be in accordance with the proper planning and development of the area.