An Bord Pleanála permits 7m holy cross in north Louth

An Bord Pleanála (ABP) has granted retained planning permission for a c. 7m steel cross and grotto, and the general clean-up of the curtilage to an existing Mass Rock site at Rockmarshall, Jenkinstown.

Maria Markey appealed to An Bord Pleanála, Louth County Council's decision in 2022 to refuse retained planning permission for the development.

The existing Celtic cross has a height of c 7m and was painted in a blue colour, following C0uncil's decision to refuse permission, the cross was painted a dark green colour.

In its decision to grant planning permission, ABP said that subject to conditions, “the development would be in accordance with the Louth County Development plan 2021-2027, is acceptable having regard to the visual amenity of this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, would not endanger public safety by reason of a traffic hazard, and would not seriously injure the residential amenities of the area or of property in the vicinity”.

One of the conditions laid out by ABP was that the cross be painted in a dark green colour and that all lighting within curtilage of the Mass Rock be removed.