Permission was refused for a grazing facility to be located on a 14-hectare site at Leemount on the left of this picture.

Residents want planners to give extra reasons to refuse Traveller horse facility

A RESIDENTS group in Cork have appealed a planning decision refusing permission for a Traveller horse grazing facility on the Lee Road arguing that further reasons for refusal are required.

The Lee Road Residents Association want An Bord Pleanála to refuse permission for a series of other reasons, stating the decision by Cork County Council to reject the proposal on a single ground was not robust.

The Cork Traveller Visibility Group lodged plans for the facility to accommodate 20 horses on a 14-hectare site at Coolymurraghue, across the River Lee from the Angler’s Rest bar.

The aim of the project was to promote positive horse ownership for Traveller men in Cork city.

However, the proposal met with opposition from residents and local organisations. The Beautiful Lee Valley Group, Bridgewater Residents Association, Clogheen Kerry Pike Community Association, Kerry Pike Harriers Club, Lee Salmon Anglers, and the Lower Inniscarra Residents Association made submissions.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly the National Roads Authority) also made a submission, stating the site is under consideration as a route for the planned Northern Ring Road that will link Ballincollig to the Limerick Road and on to Glanmire.

In August, planners in County Hall turned down permission for the development. In their decision, they provided one single reason for the refusal, stating that the site is located in an area under consideration for the Northern Ring Road and the application was premature pending that decision.

The Lee Road Residents Association have now appealed the decision to An Bord Pleanála. “We want to state that we agree with the decision of Cork County Council to refuse the proposed development and that this decision should be upheld by the Board,” the association said in its appeal.

“However, there is significant concern regarding the reason for refusal i.e. that it is not robust nor does it reflect the issues associated with the development of the proposed site.”

The association wants An Bord Pleanála to refuse permission for a series of additional reasons including; the site’s position in a flood zone; the traffic impact; the visual impact on the scenic route; and the impact on the River Lee.

The appeal is expected to be decided upon by the end of January.