An Bord Pleanála's decision to grant permission for the controversial Bundoran/Ballyshannon N15 bypass in Co Donegal has been greeted with anger by local residents.
The coalition of objecting Ballyshannon residential groups claimed that the independent integrity of the planning board had been found wanting and that the fight to prevent the road running through two local housing estates would be taken to the courts.
Mr Pat O'Malley said: "We are absolutely annoyed. An Bord Pleanála . . . spent six months adjudicating on a 15-day oral hearing, which contained thousands of pages of evidence and all they can come up with is a decibel level requirement, which is averaged out over an 18-hour period."
Except for two minor clauses, the board agreed to the bypass in its entirety.
Mr Aidan O'Doherty, senior engineer with Donegal County Council, said it was a great opportunity for the town and area. "I realise people have genuine concerns and it would always be my intention to deal with those people very fairly. I will talk with them on an individual basis, case by case, and resolve as many problems as we possibly can. We will do that to the best of our ability."
An Bord Pleanála concluded the N15 bypass was necessary for projected traffic flows and was a reasonable solution, having regard to the environmental effects and construction costs of the options available.