Tipperary developer given more time to build holiday cottages after delays
A south Tipperary developer has been given more time to complete five holiday cottages after Covid-19, difficulties securing tradespeople and finance delayed the project.
James Phelan applied to Tipperary County Council seeking more time to develop tourist accommodation in Tinakilly, Ahenny, Carrick-on-Suir.
Mr Phelan had previously been granted planning permission to demolish five farmyard cottages and replace them with five new holiday cottages.
Four of the cottages will be single storey and one will be a one-and-a-half-storey to match the existing footprints, planning files show.
The plans also sought to alter and improve the existing site entrance from the public road, upgrade the existing septic tank and percolation area, as well as to install roof-mounted PV solar panels to one cottage and the existing slatted shed.
Planning files show that a number of issues delayed the development on site, with Mr Phelan seeking an additional five years to complete the building works.
Mr Phelan said that the original buildings have been demolished, and the new cottages have begun construction, with blockwork completed up to cill height.
He added that changes to the entrance have also been carried out.
The Covid-19 pandemic, the availability of tradesmen, and securing finance were all cited as issues in Mr Phelan’s delay to get the accommodation built.
The applicant also said that complying with conditions attached to the original planning permission had contributed to the delay.
The applicant added that the development would be complete between three and five years once planning application to extend the duration is granted.
Conditions in the original planning application stipulated that the cottages could only be used as holiday homes and not as permanent residential accommodation.
The original plans stated that the former farm cottages formed part of a hamlet where there were separately-owned farms, and the former farm cottages had fallen into disrepair.
“The applicant’s vision is to diversify what is there now and restore life by respectfully recreating farmyard accommodation of good quality, suitable for short-term holiday rental,” an agent acting on behalf of Mr Phelan said.
“The design is to appeal to environmentally conscious clientele who wish to retreat to the countryside for a short break,” the agent added.
The agent added that the short-term accommodation would aim to promote Tipperary, and increase tourism into the Knockmealdown and Munster Vales area.
Tipperary County Council granted the extension, allowing the developer a further five years to complete the works.