‘Retention’ permission has been refused for controversial boundary fencing and other works at a west Donegal golf club.
As a result, the applicant, Liam McDevitt, has been given one month to remove the electric fence, a gate and any other obstructions at an entrance at Narin and Portnoo Golf Course.
There were 35 objections lodged against the development, including one from environmental and heritage group, An Taisce.
Objectors argued that, as a result of the development, a public right-of-way to Castlegoland Beach had been blocked and the local environment damaged.
According to documents lodged by the applicant with the council, the fencing is along dunes to the north-western tip of the course in an area designated as ‘especially high scenic amenity.’
Mr McDevitt also sought to retain other works carried out there. These include planted screening berms (banking), over two metres in height, in an area formerly used for car parking near to the practice putting green and clubhouse; an accessway through the berms on land formerly part of the car park; a water storage tank and associated site works within the maintenance storage yard in the centre of the course.
He also sought permission for a 159 sq.m extension to the golf course equipment shed, already approved under planning reference 18/50855.
The council refused permission for all of the above, apart from the shed extension.
“It is considered that the development would constitute a discordant and substandard form of development which would, by itself, and by the precedent it would create, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area,” planners stated.
Mr McDevitt has four weeks to appeal the council’s decision to An Bord Pleanala.
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