Lough Key holiday homes not to go ahead

An Bord Pleanála has reversed a Roscommon County Council decision to allow the construction of 256 holiday homes and an 18-hole golf course in Lough Key Forest Park.

Two separate applications, one for 57 holiday homes and the other for a so-called eco-tourism development of 199 holiday cottages and a golf course, were refused because they would "seriously injure" the visual amenities of the park and endanger the lesser horseshoe bat.

The developments were approved by Roscommon County Council but were appealed to An Bord Pleanála by a number of organisations, including the Department of the Environment and An Taisce.

The application by the Canadian Newfound Consortium for the eco-tourism development was for a 268-acre site within a designated landscape conservation area. It included 364 car parking spaces and an ESB substation.

The scheme for the 57 holiday homes sought by Dalgate Court Ltd included the construction of a bar and restaurant.

The planning board said both developments would contravene the Roscommon county development plan which sought to improve and protect high-amenity areas, making the schemes "contrary to proper planning".

There was also a danger that they would adversely affect the lesser horseshoe bat and destroy the habitat of pine martens and red squirrels, which are protected species.

The board said the golf course would have required the felling of part of the Knocknagapple woodland, a historic landscape, and would also be contrary to proper development.

It had already refused Newfound Consortium permission for a 100-bedroom hotel as part of the eco-tourism development.

The board's decision was welcomed by An Taisce, who said it was a "major vindication" of the objectors to the entire scheme.

However, it said it was also a "serious indictment of the competence of Roscommon County Council" to protect public health and meet European Treaty obligations for the protection of habitats and landscapes.