The ribbon of land west of Murrisk, Co Mayo, between Croagh Patrick and the sea is "saturated" with houses, and no more should be allowed there, An Taisce, the National Trust for Ireland, has claimed.
An Taisce has put forward its strongly held views about development along the scenic coastal stretch in the past few weeks when lodging an appeal to An Bord Pleanála against a decision by Mayo County Council to grant planning permission to Mr George Fair for a house at Glaspatrick, Murrisk.
Mr Fair had sought planning permission for three houses, but planning officials sanctioned only one, subject to 17 conditions.
An Taisce claims the houses are inappropriate in an area of special scenic amenity as designated in the Mayo County Development Plan 1992.
Mr Fair's sites are adjacent to the approach to Bertra Beach on the seaward side of the Murrisk-Lecanvey road.
They also point out that Bertra is a Blue Flag beach, and the area is designated as of Special Scenic Importance in the County Development Plan 1992.
The objectors add: "Furthermore we would submit that an undesirable proliferation of planning permissions for housing in this area has already been granted by Mayo County Council, now posing serious development pressure, landscape impact and sewerage disposal issues.
"We would concur with the planning assessment that the area is not suited to accommodate a multitude of houses. The landscape is saturated with houses in this location and no more should be allowed", said the An Taisce submission, which was signed by its Heritage Officer, Ian Lumley.
Tom Shiel