Planning applications are divisive and can cause deep rifts in communities - at times, even in families. A proposed development of 100 houses for the tiny West Cork village of Castletownshend has proved unusually unifying.
Apparently, 93 per cent of the residents are opposed to it and a committee formed at a public meeting within days of the planning application being submitted to Cork County Council has launched a "Save Castletownshend" campaign.
The grounds for objection include: safety, including the already dangerous double blind corner approach; the inability of a village of 98 permanent homes to absorb a new development which amounts to a second village; the limitations of the existing water supply; the lack of a sewerage scheme; further pressure on the local harbour and fishing grounds, and the destruction of a unique architectural heritage should a modern housing estate be built.
The development is planned for a site overlooking the village and running parallel to its historic main street. Zoned for high-density holiday homes in the 1996 County Development Plan for West Cork, the site, known as The Lawn, was purchased by John Fleming Construction Ltd three years later from a local farmer. It is surrounded by a 19th century stone wall originally built to enclose a deer park.
To facilitate access, the wall will be opened near the entrance to Drishane House, lifelong home of writer Edith Somerville (1858-1949), co-author with her cousin Violet Martin of Some Experiences of an Irish R.M., The Real Charlotte and other works. The two-storey townhouses will be visible, overshadowing the line of the wall and obliterating existing sea views.
The villagers are awaiting the results of an environmental impact study, but have already been briefed on the plan's implications by resident Brian O'Sullivan, an architect. He has numerous objections to the proposed development, which must provide parking for 200 cars, and shows no concern for the existing vernacular architecture.
"This is typical of such developments; they tend to build one type or style of house and offer them in two or three sizes."
None of the standard arguments for building either a housing estate or a holiday complex, applies to Castletownshend - a remote, self-contained enclave which has never lost its aura of discreet privilege.
Its seasonal pressures are currently "just about" withstand able. There is no unemployment. Nor is there a particularly pressing housing shortage. A case for limited affordable housing could be made as house prices are very high, averaging upwards of £300,000 for a period townhouse.
Cork County Council has built four council houses in recent years. As there is no public transport and the village is about 60 miles from Cork city, it would be an unlikely choice for large-scale council housing.
The village, five miles southeast of Skibbereen, has an all-purpose shop as well as a post office and a couple of pubs. Locals doubt that people purchasing second homes in West Cork would want to buy into a housing estate. "This development is wrong for here," says Freda Salter-Townshend. "The village is going to double in size at one fell swoop."
Ironically, at the same time that this land was zoned under the 1996 county development plan for West Cork, Cork County Council also listed Castletownshend for protection. This listing was recently reiterated in a letter written on October 10th by Cork County Council conservation officer Ms Louise Harrington to the SalterTownshend family in which Ms Harrington confirmed "the entire village of Castletownshend was listed for protection" under the 1996 Development Plan for West Cork.
Nicholas Mansergh, acting planning officer for the council, suggested last week the listing applies to the streetscape only, but the letter refers to "the entire village". And of the holiday home proposal showing high density housing covering about half of the 14-acre site, more than the original 4.5 acres zoned under the county development plan - which is currently being revised - Mr Mansergh says: "We are not in a position to comment while an application is still being assessed."
Locals also fear that as Fleming Construction is believed to have purchased 40 acres, "this might only be the beginning".
Even in the icy rain, Castletownshend, with its distinctive narrow and dramatically steep Main Street, dominated by its famous "Two Trees" leading down to the sea, is a picturesque place. Many of the houses along both sides are well maintained; there are several fine examples of period windows. Opposition to the development is making its presence felt. "We Say NO" banners are affixed to walls, including the one which will surround the intended estate; posters in windows proclaim: "Save Castletownshend".
Originally established by the Cromwellian planter Richard Townshend, the village's long history has been dominated by the fortunes of two families, the Townshends and the Somervilles. Three Harry Clarke windows in the church of St Barrahane were presented by the Somervilles in 1915 in honour of their grandparents. Outside in the churchyard lie Edith Somerville and Violet Martin.
Ian Lumley of An Taisce views the development as typical of poor planning. Castletownshend residents do not want their village to become part of what is becoming a pattern across the county. "Ireland's economy is now very different from the desperate situation of 1996."
To date, no formal approaches have been made by either the Save Castletownshend committee or by Fleming Construction, although Fleming Construction confirms receiving one letter of objection from an individual. However, the company, although stressing "a level of support for the project" is aware of the opposition. Vincent O'Donovan, general manager, agrees his company has met opposition in the past. "Local people oppose developments because they have concerns. We will take these concerns on board."
About 100 metres of land has been given by Fleming Construction for the establishment of a council playground. This playground will be affected should the proposed development be approved.
John Collins, who lives in the village and works in Skibbereen, is "totally opposed" to the development. "We have a unique legacy of very fine architecture from the Anglo-Irish who settled here. Why turn a beautiful village into a characterless sprawl?"
"I also think it is extremely morally unjustified to allow a construction company to descend on a village, any village, destroy its culture, architecture, beauty and way of life and then walk away with the profits leaving the community to deal with the consequences."
Late on Saturday night, a woman walking her dog remarks with bitter politeness: "We don't want the development, we don't need it. Why can't county councils listen to the people who live in the places they're allowing developers to ruin?"
