Courts / Meath / Report

Woman challenges permission for riding arena lights over epilepsy concerns

Date
2023-07-10
Stage
Hearing Or Decision
Primary locality
Dunboyne
County
Meath

Summary

Mary Charles, of Dinree House, Piercetown, Dunboyne, Co Meath, has been granted permission by the High Court to bring a judicial review action against An Bord Pleanála and the Attorney General. The applicant challenges the board's March decision to grant retention planning permission to respondent Leslie Fitzpatrick for upgrading the lighting system at the Wynmere equestrian facility in Dunboyne. Ms Charles alleges that the proposed eight-meter LED lighting columns will adversely affect a family member with photosensitive epilepsy, whose home is located 100 meters from the arena. She claims the board's decision is invalid because it failed to consider the potential health impacts of light pollution, did not carry out an adequate survey of bat fauna, and erroneously concluded that an Environmental Impact Assessment screening was not required. The applicant further alleges that the board made material errors of law and fact and failed to provide proper reasons for its decision. Ms Charles seeks orders quashing the board's decision to grant planning permission. The matter was heard by Ms Justice Niamh Hyland, who granted the application for permission on an ex-parte basis. Mr Fitzpatrick was made a notice party to the proceedings, and the matter was adjourned to a date in October for further hearing.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Woman challenges permission for riding arena lights over epilepsy concerns. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

Case subjects

Leslie Fitzpatrick

Respondent

Mary Charles

Applicant

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • High Court
Secondary Mention
Facility
  • Dinree House

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

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