Former RTE news executive Rory O'Connor, now retired, is a Knocknagoshel man and lover of the wild beauty that Ballybunion, Co Kerry, has to offer.
For years, he and his family have taken their holidays there. Recently he has been involved in helping to voice the worries that are exercising some of the local community.
The question is whether a five-storey apartment complex with 51 self-catering holiday homes should be allowed on the site of the Castle Hotel, which was recently demolished.
An Bord Pleanala has until May 13th next to make known its findings concerning the decision of Kerry County Council to grant planning permission to the project.
Mr O'Connor outlined the steps which have led to the present appeal to An Bord Pleanala. Round one was in 1997 when Ballybunion people became aware of an application to Kerry County Council by O'Connor Building and Development for permission to erect a hotel and 16 holiday-home apartments on the site.
"May I say at once there is no objection to the erection of a suitable and modern hotel on the old site as long as this is of suitable proportions and respects the integrity of the street as well as the land, cliff and sea views, the adjoining castle green with its Fitzmaurice castle, and sits comfortably on the lap of this open, green and beautiful place," said Rory O'Connor.
Just to put it in perspective - if you stand at the Anchorage B&B on the main street leading to Ballybunion's famous golf courses, you are looking directly across at the remains of the 14th-century castle. The backdrop to the castle is the Atlantic. On the left, Kerry Head looms up. On the right, you are looking at Loop Head in Co Clare. When the Castle Hotel was erected, none of these views - views that are an intrinsic part of what makes Ballybunion special - was obscured.
The 1997 plan was strongly opposed on the grounds that it would cover most of the remaining open green space adjoining the site of the old hotel. By early September 1997, the developer had withdrawn the proposal. But there was a subsequent application for a new hotel - this one comprising 61 suites and 10 bedrooms as well as associated restaurant, swimming pool, seaweed baths and fitness centre. The proposal seemed to fit the bill and would have been an addition to the town.
"Great was the rejoicing. A new hotel and all those other amenities," Mr O'Connor said. The hotel application was approved. There was more to come, however. In a further application of May 1998, Kerry County Council was asked to consider a plan containing amendments to the previous one.
But where had the seaweed baths, swimming pool and fitness centre gone, people wondered. Instead, the new proposal was for 51 self-catering holiday apartments. Rory O'Connor and many people in the seaside town think that the scope and nature of the latest proposal would rob Ballybunion of its natural heritage. The plan would double the length of the old hotel and be almost twice its height, creating a visual barrier to cliffs, ocean, castle and beaches. Permission was also granted for 81 car spaces.
"This would complete the concrete occupation," Rory O'Connor said.