Appeal against Baysports development rejected

An Bord Pleanála has rejected an appeal against granted planning permission for a development at Baysports in Kiltoom, South Roscommon.

In January of 2023, Roscommon County Council granted permission for recreational facilities at the South Roscommon site including marquees, showers, a coffee shop as well as a number of inflatable slides, platforms, and climbing walls. Existing fencing was also sought to be realigned.

The application, which was received in February 2022, was controversial and attracted 18 submissions from residents, a local swimming group, and angling groups, concerned about environmental impact, traffic, and access to the shore. The council expressed concern about aspects of the proposal and requested further information and clarification on the matter.

On January 24th last year, the application was granted permission for five years, subject to 12 conditions. Among the conditions was an order for the existing fence to be removed from its current position and repositioned to ensure that public access to the headland was unimpeded.

The planning application grant was appealed to An Bord Pleanála in February 2023. A decision had initially been expected by June of last year. On Thursday April 11th, the board confirmed the council’s decision to grant the permission subject to 11 conditions.

Among the conditions was, in the interest of encouraging the use of sustainable modes of transport, a mobility management strategy shall be submitted by Baysports and agreed in writing with the council.

“This shall provide for incentives to encourage the use of public transport, cycling, walking and carpooling by staff employed in the development and to reduce and regulate the extent of staff parking,” An Bord Pleanála said.

In the interest of environmental protection and public health, drainage arrangements for the site, including the collection and disposal of wash water from the inflatables, shall comply with the requirements of the planning authority for such works and services.

“A detailed method statement that details all aspects of wash operations shall be submitted to and agreed in writing with the planning authority, prior to commencement of development,” the bord said.

The works shall be carried out in compliance with the Inland Fisheries Ireland document “Guidelines on protection of fisheries during construction works in and adjacent to waters”, and no vegetation removal shall take place during the period March 1st to August 31st.

The permission will be for a period of five years from the date of the order, An Bord Pleanála said. “The facilities hereby permitted shall then be removed unless, prior to the end of the period, permission for their retention shall have been obtained.” Subject to compliance with these conditions, An Bord Pleanála said that the proposed development would not seriously injure the visual amenities of the area, and would be acceptable in terms of traffic safety and convenience. It would also not endanger public health, would not have significant negative effects on the environment or the community in the vicinity, and would not give rise to a risk of pollution.