Record objections to Derg Marina development proposals
Over one hundred and sixty planning objections have been received by the Planning Department of North Tipperary County Council in opposition to the planning application to build ninety apartments on the Derg Marina at Ballina Killaloe.
While objections have been submitted by a large number of local residents, the county planning department has also received objections from the Killaloe Sailing Club, the Killaloe Ballina Anglers, the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board, the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland, An Taisce, the Lough Derg Science Group, and the International Commission for Maritime History, among others.
Two weeks ago at a packed meeting at the Lakeside Hotel in Ballina, a large crowd received detailed information from the Ballina Marina Action Group on the potential impact the proposed marina development could have on the local community and the two heritage towns.
Reacting to the large number of objections lodged, BMAG spokesperson, Joe Cahalane said today, “The large number of objections is a reflection of the strength of feeling and resistance to the development and of the failure of the developers to engage in any meaningful consultation with the local community.”
“It was not until the actual detailed plans were lodged with the county council planning department that the local community became aware of the enormity of the development and of the downgrading of the marina’s facilities.”
“The community here was also annoyed at the developers' attempt to dismiss genuine local concerns as the behaviour of a small group of cranks. What has actually happened is the local community has come together in an unprecedented show of strength and should be commended for collectively digging deep into their pockets to object to these proposals.”
Up until now the only information was a glossy marketing brochure given to a select few with little or no public consultation on what the actual development really entailed. The reality is that this development is a high-rise apartment complex in a heritage town with berthing and token marina facilities.”