Major upgrade of Tipperary waterside amenity given planning permission
A major upgrade of a Tipperary amenity space has been given the go ahead by An Coimisiún Pleanála.
Tipperary County Council had applied to the planning board for permission to make improvements at Garrykennedy Inner Harbour.
As part of the plans, the local authority was seeking to clear out the inner harbour, including the removal of abandoned boats, while also addressing safety concerns.
The existing boardwalk would also be removed and replaced with new floating pontoons for 47 small boat berths, which will include facilities to enable wheelchair users to access the water.
The development works will also see an extension to the existing welfare building to provide a “changing places” facility, alterations to existing parking to facilitate four campervan parking spaces with power and water points and updated accessible parking and provision of bike parking / charging facilities.
A changing places facility allows people with complex care needs to take part in everyday activities, offering larger supported facilities that address the needs of people for whom current accessible sanitary accommodation is inadequate.
An Coimisiún Pleanála has granted permission for the development, subject to 12 conditions.
Listed among the conditions are that an otter survey be carried out to confirm the absence of breeding otters before any construction begins, that measures be put in place to ensure that lighting from the development doesn’t shine towards the woodland, and that a car park management plan be implemented to manage the design and layout of the proposed new car park.
At the December meeting of the Nenagh Municipal District, the grant of planning permission was hailed as “good news” for the district.
Rosemary Joyce, district administrator for the Nenagh district said that now they could move on and seek funding for the project.
"This means we will now be in a position to seek funding in order to carry out the improvement works to Garrykennedy, there will be a significant investment required in order to carry out the full amount, we may have to do things in phases, but it is very good news for Garrykennedy,” Ms Joyce said.
Fianna Fáil councillor John Carroll said that the approval is “heartening”.
"It’s really heartening news because we all had concerns because when it goes in for planning, it’s never an exact science, but that’s really good news because it gives surety now.
"Hopefully the next step will take a positive turn, but well done to all involved,” Cllr Carroll said.