Permission granted for sea front development of houses and apartments in Strandhill

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

An application by CCMD Developments Ltd has this week been approved by Sligo County Council for a development at the rear of Strandhill Lodge and Hostel, Shore Road, Strandhill with planning permission granted for the demolition of the existing building (shed) on the site and the construction of 12 residential units, comprising of two one-bed apartments; three, two bed houses; five, three-bed houses and two, four-bed houses.

Permission is also granted for a new shared vehicular and pedestrian/cycle access, and a new vehicular entrance to serve the proposed detached dwelling from Shore Road. The application also includes 22 surface car parking spaces and all associated and ancillary works including refuse store, private open space, public open space, roads and footpaths, hard and soft landscaping, boundary treatment, amendments to garden areas/plots of Strandhill Lodge and Hostel and Knocknarea House, and all utilities and services.

A number of objections were lodged in relation to the development with one Strandhill resident, Brian Collery, saying in his submission to the local authority, “The recently approved Strandhill Public Realm Enhancement Part 8 works has seen a huge body of work being undertaken by the Local Authority to enhance the Shore Road and the Shore Front in the coastal village of Strandhill. Adding additional vehicular traffic and specifically vehicular traffic to a zone (road beyond Council car park) that is being developed with a view to promote a pedestrian priority zone appears to contradict the overall strategy of this enhancement plan.”

Shore Road resident, Dermot Kirwan, also objected to the development saying, “This part of Strandhill is already overdeveloped. The Shore Road is dangerously congested with traffic as it is. The pavements are so narrow families are forced to walk on the road. Also the proposed development is on part of the general dunes area which is a natural ecosystem and home to protected native wild life. This development is not appropriate for this beautiful peninsula, we need more protections not more buildings.”

The possibility of harming the local eco-system was also highlighted by Rory Clarke who stated in his submission, “The development could significantly harm local eco-systems, including beaches, wetlands and protected wildlife habitats. Increased construction may lead to erosion and disrupt local flora and fauna.”

The potential for disturbance was highlighted by Kyra McKenna who argued in her submission, “These new homes, positioned close to my boundary, will introduce persistent domestic noise from garden use, traffic, parking, deliveries, and social activity, substantially increasing disturbance compared to current levels.”

As well as local residents, an observation was also lodged by Anthony Skeffington, on behalf of Strandhill Golf Club with concerns expressed regarding the “appropriateness and intensity” of the development.

“The Golf Club have no objection in principle to the development of housing in the village, where there is a considerable housing need and a requirement for tourist facilities. However, the Golf Club have serious concerns regarding the appropriateness and intensity of the proposed development, its proximity to elements of the course and the resulting negative impacts on the course in its existing form and for its future sustainability and development. This proposed development would disadvantage the future potential of the course and club.”

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.