Watch this Space

Farmer loses appeal on Curragh redevelopment plan: A Kildare sheep farmer - who was jailed this month following a protest calling for "appropriate measures" to prevent traffic accidents involving sheep on the Curragh - has lost his bid to halt the redevelopment of the Curragh racecourse.

Percy Podger got a 90-day sentence for refusing to pay costs following a conviction for a public order offence handed down in Naas District Court in 2003. The conviction followed an incident where he put the remains of a sheep on a speed sign in protest over what he regarded as the local authority's failure to put in place safeguards, like cattle grids and speed limits. Podger, who heads a group called Friends of the Curragh Environment, has been dealt another blow with the news that An Bord Pleanála granted planning permission to the Trustees of the Turf Club at the Curragh to build a 72-bed hotel and part-demolish the west stand of the racecourse and to realign part of a regional road to the north of the racecourse in Co Kildare. Podger contended that the planning application was fundamentally flawed and Kildare County Council's decision to grant permission was made on foot of an invalid application.

Racehorse trainer Dermot Weld said the development would have an impact on the peace and quiet his horses had benefited from and could affect their respiratory health and performance ability.

Part of €150m Roscommon forest park scheme rejected

A Canadian consortium has been turned down by An Bord Pleanála for part of a €150 million eco-tourism development beside the Lough Key Forest Park in Boyle, Co Roscommon. Newfound Consortium has been refused planning permission by the board for two out of three planning applications at the 250-acre site for over 100 holiday cottages, a 100-bedroom hotel and leisure centre, tennis courts and a children's play area. It awaits a decision on an 18-hole golf course and 199 cottages.

An Bord Pleanála ruled against the scheme saying the hotel, spa and leisure centre and 27 of the holiday homes close to the lake would "seriously injure the visual amenities of Lough Key Forest Park". It also wasn't satisfied that the development wouldn't damage the habitat of the lesser horseshoe bat, pine martin and red squirrel, protected under the Wildlife Acts 1976-2000.