This article is from page 28 of the 2008-07-15 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 28 JPG
A LAHINCH businessman has been told to shut down an art gallery and studio on the resort’s main street which does not have planning per- mission.
Clare County Council has stated in a warning letter issued to William Stackepoole, of 1 Lois Ma, Lahinch, that an unauthorised development is taking place: the change of use from an existing cottage to a commercial art studio and gallery.
The council considers the develop- ment to be unauthorised “as it does not have the benefit of planning per- mission and does not constitute ex- empted development”.
Mr Stackepoole is required to “cease all commercial operations and activities at this location imme- diately; revert the structure back to a dwelling house and remove all ad- vertising signage associated with the
art studio and gallery”.
In the event that the development is continued, the council may issue an enforcement notice. A council spokesman said that officials were currently reviewing the file.
Earlier this year, Clare County Council granted planning permis- sion to Mr Stackepoole to construct a new hotel on the main street.
However, the decision has been ap- pealed to An Bord Pleanala by the adjacent Kenny Woollen Mills prop- erty which, it is claimed, will be de- valued by €1.5 million.
The council gave 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.
“This proposed development is over-build of the worst kind,’ Pat Kenny claimed.
“This is a village. This site is a cottage with a small yard and some
outhouses. The proposal to build 16 apartments, restaurant, bar and re- ception areas on this small site is lu- dicrous and has already been refused by An Bord Pleanala.”
Co) a'(o en eo eenlCoD mole meNnIAKore mI NTe development taking into account the urban setting and concluded that it would not seriously injure the ameni- ties of the area and be in accordance with the proper planning and devel- opment of the area.
The council planner’s report stated, “It 1s considered that the proposed three storey building is of an appro- priate scale for the main street of La- hinch having regard to the respective heights of the adjacent buildings to the north, Shamrock Inn and south, Kenny’s Woollen Mills.”
A decision is expected on the ap- peal later this year.