OPW had say in rejected plan for island

The OPW was consulted on and had an input into the planning application for a services building on Great Blasket island which…

The OPW was consulted on and had an input into the planning application for a services building on Great Blasket island which has been refused permission by An Bord Pleanála.

The planning appeals board last week turned down the application by An Blascaod Mór Teoranta, the company that owns most of the landholdings on the historic island, for a new cafe and services building.

The proposal, for the western edge of the existing settlement, was to include a meeting room for wildlife and conservation rangers, along with a medical centre, staff facilities, laundry facilities, study and toilets.

The island has no proper toilet facilities for the thousands of people who visit the site each year.

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However, the board has upheld permission for toilets at the rear of two listed buildings and for the provision of a cafe on the ground floor of these buildings for a period of five years, after which they are to revert to dwellings only.

OPW spokesman George Moir said the OPW had discussed their requirements for the services building with Peter Callery of An Blascaod Mór Teoranta, and most of the OPW observations had been incorporated in the application.

A year ago Kerry County Council granted permission for the services building and cafe, a temporary cafe in the existing buildings and for the lean-to toilets.

However, third parties appealed the local authority's decision to An Bord Pleanála.

Lelia Walsh of Gleann Derg, Dún Chaoin, appealed both the new building and the extension to the existing one, while An Taisce appealed the decision to grant the extensions.

An Bord Pleanála said the services building would be visually obtrusive "in this unique and sensitive landscape".

It also said the application was "premature" pending the finalisation of a management plan for Great Blasket.

The proposal to land heavy building materials on An Tráigh Bháin, a candidate Special Area of Conservation, would disturb the grey seal population, a listed species, the planning board also decided.

Mr Moir said he did not expect the planning refusal would affect the State's €1.7 million buyout plan, announced this summer.

The plan is expected to be completed early next year, and is part of some €8.5 million set aside for the island by the State.

An Bord Pleanála was an independent body, Mr Moir added.