An Bord Pleanala has upheld a decision by Clare County Council refusing planning permission for a £4 million holiday home development in Kilkee, Co Clare.
This is the third successive refusal by the board in the last month to multi-million pound holiday home developments in the Co Clare resorts of Kilkee and Lahinch.
Both are among the 15 designated resorts in the Government-sponsored seaside resort renewal scheme, which offers tax incentives to investors in leisure facilities.
The board refused planning permission for the proposed Kilkee development of 46 holiday homes, stating that it would materially contravene the town's development plan. It also said the local road network could not cater for the estimated increase in traffic if the development proceeded.
A spokesman for Robinbury Ltd, the Dublin-based company refused permission, said: "We are terribly disappointed by the decision. We are reviewing our position and will have a good look at it over the Christmas period."
Dr Tom Nolan, chairman of the Kilkee Planning Review Group, established last March to oppose the development, said: "The board's ruling should act as a warning to developers seeking to develop land zoned for amenity in Kilkee and looking to make a quick buck through the tax incentives offered under the Resort Renewal Scheme."
In its submission to An Bord Pleanala, Clare County Council stated that the development would intrude into an area of high amenity, detract from the enjoyment of nearby natural facilities and "give rise to additional traffic which would exacerbate an already unsatisfactory situation."
Supporting the council, An Taisce, in its submission to the board, stated: "If granted permission, the development will act as a precedent for further development within this sensitive area and will represent an unacceptable continuation of the trend established by recent decisions which have enabled housing developments to proceed on adjoining lands."
During the year there were heated exchanges at three consecutive council meetings after a vote to rezone the land from open space was deferred.
The proposed development was refused planning permission at the council's July meeting, when only 19 members out of the 24 required voted in favour.