This article is from page 11 of the 2008-08-05 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 11 JPG
A SENIOR inspector with An Bord Pleanala has endorsed Clare County Council’s policy of refusing to allow new houses built in seaside resorts be used as holiday homes.
Last year, Patricia Stackepoole secured planning permission to con- struct 26 homes in the north Clare resort of Lahinch. However, one of the conditions attached stated that the homes be used as the permanent place of residency.
In the planning appeal lodged on behalf of Ms Stackpoole, it stated that in Lahinch, where a large pro- portion of development is driven by tourism, it 1s considered reasonable that a proportion of any proposed residential development would be used in a manner other than conven- tional “permanent” residences.
The appeal states, “Such uses would include the use of dwellings as retirement homes, second homes or investment properties.”
The appeal went on to state that the condition “represents an artificial restriction on the housing market in Lahinch which relies on externally driven demand to support the local tourism economy.’
In his assessment, the board in- spector stated, “I agree that normally a condition such as imposed on the
associated development at Cois Tra should be sufficient, but it appears that the condition has not been com- plied with to any great extent.”
The inspector went on, “It is also clear from the appeal that it is desired that a proportion of the development should be available to be used in a manner other than conventional “permanent” residences, and _ that the appellant considers it reasonable for a house in the development to be used for holiday accommodation.
“In the circumstances where the Local Area Plan recognises that La- hinch has experienced a development imbalance, whereby housing for the permanent resident population has been limited, the Board may consid- er that this condition should not be omitted from any planning permis- sion for this development.”
In spite of Ms Stackpoole appeal- ing a number of conditions relating to the decision, the Board Inspector recommended that she be refused planning permission outright.
He said, “Having regard to the fact that a major part of this site was to be used for the provision of public Open space in the recently developed adjoining housing estate at Cois Tra the proposed development would not be in accord with the Clare County Development Plan 2005 or the North Clare Local Area Plan 2005.”