High Court set deadline for owners of Wicklow holiday village to lodge appeal
The Wicklow PeopleThe chief executive of Wicklow County Council has confirmed November 10 as the date when the owners of Kippure Lodge and Holiday Village must lodge their appeal with the High Court.
“We have started proceedings. We were listed before the summer break. It got postponed, adjourned until September. Now there's a date set for the November to allow the defendants enter their case. So that's as much as I can say on it at the moment, but we are taking proceedings against the owners of the site.”
Legal proceedings were launched after enforcement notices that were issued by the local authority were not complied with.
The operators of the site submitted an appeal after they were refused planning for the upgrade of wastewater infrastructure.
The local authority refused the application on several grounds, including concerns over the impact the works would have on a recorded monument and the potential impact it could have on the River Liffey.
The proposed development from Seefin Events Unlimited sought permission for the installation of additional underground effluent storage and treatment tanks, all associated pipework, plant and equipment, construction of a new plant and storage building, new soil polishing filter together with all associated site development works.
The planning section of Wicklow County Council weren’t satisfied that the current use of the facility as a reception centre/accommodation for displaced persons, and its future extension as a tourism product, met the necessary planning consents under the Planning and Development Act 2000 and associated regulations.
It was also felt the development would impact negatively on the amenities of the area, public health, the amenities of adjoining properties, and undermine the planning regulations and the provisions of the County Development Plan.
Speaking during the October monthly meeting of Wicklow County Council, Cllr Gerry O’Neill queried why it was taking so long to receive a final ruling.
“The threat of a court case is going on a long, long time so the people in the area are naturally very concerned about the shortage of housing and whatever around the area.
“We have way over 50pc of people in direct provision in our municipal area, compared with other areas. We welcome these people, and we look after them and we do what we can but the big issue in west Wicklow is that we are flooded out with requests for the housing list.”
In response, director of services Jackie Carroll said the council are always working to try to address the high demand for housing.
“In regard to people becoming eligible for status to go on the housing list, that is happening regularly. It is a regular occurrence as people are given whatever regulations that they need to get stamped for it, and they can then apply to go on a housing list in the same manner as any applicant can apply to go on the housing list.
“In relation to IPAS centres and how they are managed, that is a matter for the Department because the Department provides those facilities for IPAS, and there were facilities available in those areas which they were able to avail of.
“Unfortunately, the council has no hand or part in that.” she added.