Farmer challenges airport restrictions

A Co Clare farmer whose divided 30-acre holding is located on the edge of Shannon Airport has asked the High Court to quash orders…

A Co Clare farmer whose divided 30-acre holding is located on the edge of Shannon Airport has asked the High Court to quash orders designating part of his lands as a "red safety area".

Mr Sean Liddy, who has been refused planning permission for a 32-unit holiday home development, a shop and offices adjoining his home, claims his lands have been "sterilised" because of an "unlawful" administrative restriction and that he has been deprived of his statutory entitlement to compensation.

Mr Liddy, of Ballycalla, Newmarket-on-Fergus, said the minimum distance of any part of his property from the runway was at least 900 metres but he had still been refused permission for his proposed development. He said his property is designated residential under the 1988 County Development Plan.

Five planning applications from Mr Liddy were accepted by Clare County Council between 1991 and 1997 but were refused on appeal by An Bord Pleanβla.