Plans for some 86 houses and a crèche at Hayfield Manor, latter situated on the west side of the Bohernamona road, on the northern outskirts of Thurles has been refused due to it being zoned as “strategic reserve“, under the current local area plan for Thurles Town.
Planners with Tipperary County Council had earlier ruled that there were no exceptional circumstances that would justify allowing development of these lands within the lifetime of the current local area plan for Thurles.
Following an appeal by the Architect on behalf of the developer; An Bord Pleanála upheld the decision of Tipperary County Council, thus refusing planning permission for this proposed project.
An Bord Pleanála have explained that the objective of zoning this 3.45-hectare (8.5 acre) site as “strategic reserve”, was to deliver housing on the lands in the subsequent local area plan, which would take effect from 2031.
Under the Thurles Local Area Plan 2024-2030, residential development is not normally permitted on sites designated as “strategic reserve”.
An Bord Pleanála also claimed there was a lack of clarity in the Natura Impact Assessment, initially submitted by the developer. The board concluded that it could not be clearly ascertained that the proposed development would not adversely affect the integrity of the Lower River Suir Special Area of Conservation.
The Tipperart local authority had received just one third-party objection regarding this proposed new housing estate.
Leave a Reply