An Bord Pleanala has begun an oral hearing on a proposed holiday village in Ventry, Co Kerry. Planning permission was granted by Kerry County Council in June 1997 for a development of 58 holiday homes, a clubhouse with bar and restaurant facilities and a health centre.
Ms Marie Baker on behalf of one of the objectors, Fis Fionntra, said the group objected to the development on grounds of scale, location near the strand, its ecological impact and style.
A professor of languages at the Language Institute in Dublin, Prof O Riagain, said Ventry was one of the core Gaeltacht areas west of Dingle. The development would dramatically reduce the opportunities to speak Irish, he argued.
The environmental impact statement was described as deficient by Dr Peadar O'Callaghan, an environmental consultant. Most of the tree types proposed for the site would not survive, he said, because of the salt spray zone at the beach.
Dr David Hickey, an expert in environment and planning, described the development as highly unsuitable, even if landscaped by an ecologist. He also expressed concern about the impact of the development on the sand dunes and the eco-system.
The sewage-treatment system earmarked for the site had no provision if it failed, according to Mr Timothy Clark, a consultant in waste management. "Should flooding occur, this could have serious implication for the beach and the dunes."
The secretary of Duchas Fionntra, Mr Breandan O Ciobhain, described the development as ill-conceived because it was using tax incentives to promote tourism.
The group was critical of the planning authorities because of a number of changes in designation which the area had undergone in the last 30 years. Mr O Ciobhain argued that the development should not go ahead because of the adverse effects on ecology, heritage and culture in the area.
An Taisce's representative, Mr Brendan Munnelly, said his organisation opposed the development on grounds of scale and location. He described the area as one of high amenity and scenic beauty and unsuitable for such a development. The absence of strategic planning in these matters needed to be addressed if sensitive developments were to become a feature of coastal areas.
A number of witnesses were cross-examined by Mr John Reid, for Ventry Holdings. Dr Hickey said he did not consider the condition laid down by Kerry County Council relating to supervision of the sewerage system sufficient. Mr Clark said the system would be unable to cope with the increased numbers in the area.
Kerry County Council claimed that the concentration of tourist-related developments was of more economic benefit than one-off developments. Chief planning officer Mr Derek Daly accepted that the development would have a visual impact, but its design and layout would reduce its impact to the minimum possible.
The hearing continues today.