A marina development proposed for Lough Derg in a High Scenic Amenity area outside the town of Killaloe has been turned down by An Bord Pleanála. The planning inspector believed the project would be visually intrusive and criticised recent lakeside developments in an area where both Clare and Tipperary North Riding county councils have responsibility.
Support for the marina project had been expressed by the Heritage Council and Bord Fáilte, but Dúchas, the Heritage Service, failed to respond to the board to comment on the planning appeal by the Lough Derg Anglers Association.
Planning permission for the extension of the existing marina by the addition of pontoon berths for 29 boats at Ballina, the Co Tipperary town which adjoins Killaloe, had been granted by Tipperary North Riding County Council.
The Lough Derg anglers were supported by the Killaloe-based St Flannan's Fishing Club, An Taisce and the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board.
The anglers claimed the additional pontoons would be visually intrusive, would affect boat-based angling and would damage the salmon and trout fishery. They denied a claim by the applicant Derg Developments, that there was a need for extra berthing.
The directors, Mr Brian Cullen and Ms Eleanor Cullen, of Killaloe, run the existing marina and a boat charter business.
A report from a marine consultant, of behalf of the applicant, denied there would be significant damage to salmon habitats.
The applicant also claimed the development would not be intrusive as residents would enjoy a vista of boats.
The Bord Pleanála inspector, Mr Philip Davis, upheld the appeal on the grounds that the development would result "in a significant increase in the visual obtrusiveness of the marina facilities".
He said the High Scenic Amenity designation was justified, although "there has been considerable erosion of the landscape quality due to some rather unfortunate developments along the river and on the overlooking bluffs, particularly on the Tipperary side".
He noted that planning permission had been refused for a similar development during the past three years.