An Taisce, which earlier this week scored a notable victory over a proposed development in Co Westmeath, has confirmed it has lodged an objection to a controversial development at Durrow Abbey in Co Offaly.
There has been widespread coverage of the planning difficulties facing the Durrow development outside Tullamore, which involves the building of a leisure complex at the abbey.
A spokesman for An Taisce said it had formally objected to the 474-house development on the site on which Radleigh Developments Ltd, Dun Laoghaire, also planned to build a 105-bedroom hotel, an 18-hole golf course, a swimming pool, and conference facilities. The spokesman said An Taisce's objections dealt mainly with the housing and apartment element of the proposal, which was formally lodged last Friday.
The organisation has already had one victory this week with the decision by An Bord Pleanala to refuse permission for what it termed "an inappropriate development" in Tyrellspass.
On December 6th last year, Westmeath County Council gave planning permission to a local developer in Tyrellspass to redevelop Belvedere Orphanage.
This would have involved the demolition of all but the facades of the crescent-shaped orphanage with its 20 buildings, and replacing them with 12 houses, which An Taisce argued would result in the loss of buildings of architectural, historical and heritage value.
An Bord Pleanala ruled that, given the importance of Tyrellspass as a historical and tourist centre, it considered the proposed development would not respect the architectural and historical integrity of the original layout and would be out of character with the established pattern of development in the area. It also held that the proposed development would seriously affect the amenities of the area and would be contrary to proper planning.
Mr Ian Lumley, heritage officer with An Taisce, said the buildings form part of the attractive early 19th century Tudor Revival style buildings, complementing the well-known main village green.
"Westmeath County Council entered into a sale contract with the developer, and as far as we know this sale was subject to planning permission," he said.
"As we understand it now, Westmeath County Council owns the orphanage and we have written to them pointing this out. They have written back saying their lawyers are looking into the matter. "We are currently preparing a plan for the crescent which will involve mixed development and we are hoping that the council will go ahead and restore this important area itself. "There is no reason at all why we should not have, perhaps, sheltered work units in the buildings closest to the road and perhaps sheltered homes for senior citizens and other residential units in the rest of the houses.
"Our hope, and I know most of the local people support us, is that the council now refurbish - and sensitively refurbish - this important building," he said.