Development at Laois farm appealed to An Bord Pleanala

A planned development at a Laois farm has been appealed to An Bord Pleanala. 

Laois County Council had granted permission to Erkina Fams Ltd for a slurry store and tank, manure pit, and storage area for tyres and plastic along with associated site works on March 15.

The development at Ballybooden, Ballacolla had been approved by Laois County Council subject to 14 conditions. 

The original county council planner's report noted the development would be located on agricultural land. 

“The applicant proposes to construct an overground slurry store, an underground slurry reception tank, a manure pit and a storage area for tyres and plastic, and all associated ancillary facilities, works and services,” the report notes. 

“The site is not located within or adjacent to a European designated site. Therefore, given the nature and extent of the proposed development, with no direct connections to the hydrology of the SAC/SPA, it is not considered there would be potential for significant effects on the Natura 2000 network,” the report noted. 

The plans have since been appealed to An Bord Pleanala by Peter Sweetman on behalf of Wild Ireland Defence with an address in Cork.

In his submission to Laois County Council Mr Sweetman had said the council must ensure the plans met certain criteria.   

“It must assess the planning merits of Application in accordance with the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) to ensure that the proposed development is in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area,” he stated. 

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“Secondly, the Planning Authority is required to form and record a view as to the environmental impacts of the development, considering the EIA Report (EIAR) if furnished by the Applicant, the views of the public concerned and applying its own expertise or to screen the development for Environmental Impact Assessment,” he wrote. 

He also noted the planning authority had responsibilities under the Habitats Directive. Mr Sweetman said the development must be assessed for compliance with the Water Framework Directive. 

Despite his submission, Laois County Council approved the plans. The appeal is expected to be decided by An Bord Pleanala in July this year.