Planning permission refused for ambitious Longford glamping tourism development

Longford County Council planners have refused to grant planning permission for the development of a proposed glamping tourism facility along the Royal Canal in Clondra. 

The proposed development at Glebe, was due to consist of one cottage, four lodges, eight glamping pods, thirteen campervan parking facility bays, thirteen car parking bays and sixteen cycle stands.

The planning application was lodged with Longford County Council on December 20, 2021 by Raymond and Ann Brogan, and planners made their decision on the application on February 9. 

The same applicants, also recently lodged with plans with the local authority seeking to construct eight detached two storey houses, each with individual boating berths, and a forty berth marina, along with 43 car parking spaces at Cloondara.

Submissions in relation to the housing and marina development can be made to the local authority by March 7 and planners are expected to make their decision on that planning application by March 28 next. 

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A number of submissions were made in relation to the glamping development and planners provided five reasons as to why they rejected it.  

They felt the application contravened the County Development Plan as there was no information submitted in relation to the environmental impact at a sensitive location where there was potential to impact adversely on the adjacent Royal Canal.  

Concern was also expressed over the management of waste water and sewerage, access to the site, the absence of a Natura Impact Assessment and an adequate water supply. 

Planners stated, "As the current 50mm and 80mm diameter watermain networks are not sufficient to supply the proposed development the development would be contrary to the proper and sustainable development of the area." 

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There were eleven strands to the proposed glamping development; 

• (1) conversion of existing building to one bedroom cottage
• (2) provision of two 1 bedroom detached single storey lodges
• (3) provision of two 2 bedroom semi-detached 2 storey lodges
• (4) provision of three one bedroom glamping pods with ensuite toilets
• (5) provision of five one bedroom glamping pods
• (6) provision of thirteen campervan parking facility bays
• (7) conversion of existing shed to communal toilet facility, universal access toilet and shower room, with kitchen, diner, laundry and drying room at ground level with the provision of 1st floor to existing shed for games room overhead
• (8) provision of thirteen car parking bays
• (9) provision of 16 cycle stands
• (10) provision of PV panels for renewable energy located on roof of communal building
• (11) provision of service road and services connected to existing public road, driveways, paths and connection to all existing services including all ancillary works