Travellers living in a Waterford city halting site have asked An Bord Pleanála to overturn planning permission for an adjoining housing estate.
A group representing residents of the Kilbarry halting site says the 255-house development should be rejected on several grounds including scale. It also objects to plans to erect a two-metre high boundary wall between the estate and the halting site.
The group, the Waterford Traveller Interest Constituency (WTIC), claims the wall would "lead to further segregation between Travellers and settled residents". The developer of the estate, Mr Noel Frisby, claims the objections are "frivolous" and is seeking compensation.
Permission for the development was granted by Waterford Corporation in October. Appealing that decision, Mr Thomas Erbsloh of the WTIC said an action plan for the area had emphasised the need for social integration.
Ms Stephanie Taheny, a planning consultant who is Mr Frisby's wife and business partner, said there would be no visual barrier as it had been agreed to "punctuate the wall with railings".
Mr Frisby agreed a settlement of nearly €2.54 million last year in tax arrears, interest and penalties with the Revenue Commissioners.
