Portnoo glamping plan refused as Council cite 'undesirable policy precedent'

Donegal County Council has refused planning permission for glamping pods in a scenic area of south Donegal saying that giving the green light could create ‘an undesirable policy precedent’.

The local authority, in rejecting a planning application for the proposed development at Lackagh, Portnoo, said it considered that such developments in rural areas “have the potential cumulatively to be severely detrimental to perseveration of such sensitive landscapes”.

Louise and Noel Adair had sought permission for the construction of nine glamping pods with associated car parking, connection to a new wastewater treatment system and polishing filter.

The proposed development, overlooking the scenic Gweebarra Bay, was subjected to several objections from local residents.

One, Ed Perrin, contested that the proposed posts, timber-framed and clad in corrugated iron, “do not align with the character of the area, which is dominated by more traditional, isolated dwellings”.

He said the introduction of nine uniform structures “would significantly detract from the landscape's natural beauty” and added: “This undermines the qualities that make the area visually appealing and tranquil, both for residents and visitors.”

Concerns were also raised over possible noise pollution and light pollution.

In its decision, Donegal County Council noted that the development as proposed is akin to the County Development Plan definition for modular holiday units and are not permissible in such rural areas.

“It would also seriously injure the visual amenities of the area, fail to be adequately absorbed and integrated into the landscape and would militate against the preservation of the rural environment,” Donegal County Council said.

The local authority added that, having regard to the elevated and sensitive nature of this high scenic amenity designated rural landscape and to the proximity of rural one-off housing adjoining the site boundaries and sporadically located in the wider vicinity, together with the absence of provision of any communal facilities and to the back land position of lands upon which the proposed structures are to be situated, “it is considered that the proposed development would form a discordant and obtrusive feature on the landscape”.

The Council pointed out that the development was considered substantiated in terms of the facilities and, therefore, would “result in a poor precedent in terms of accommodation offer to the tourism sector”.

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It added that to give the go-ahead “Would create an undesirable policy precedent for glamping developments in rural areas that have the potential cumulatively to be severely detrimental to perseveration of such sensitive landscapes.”