ADVENTURE CENTRE IN DOUBT AFTER PLANNING APPEAL IS UPHELD
THE future of the proposed multi million euro indoor adventure centre ‘We are Vertigo’ which was proposed for a site north of Dundalk now appears to be in jeopardy following the decision by An Bord Pleanala to uphold a local appeal.
There were high hopes for the centre which was granted planning permission by Louth County Council back in January, with the promise of up to 120 full and part time jobs.
With a planned location at the Redcow, Old Newry Road, the centre which promised an investment of €7.1million in creating it, was proposed by the company behind the ‘We are Vertigo’ facility already operating in Belfast.
Handlova Limited trading as Cooley Spring Water saw their application referred to An Bord Pleanala when an appeal was lodged by Eileen Kirk.
The appeal was lodged on the grounds that the ‘proposed development contravenes the zoning objective associated with the site, is subject to a flooding risk, would undermine the carrying capacity of the national road network, and is premature pending the provision of appropriate infrastructure.’
The grounds of appeal also express concerns in relation to ‘ the amount of woodland to be removed to cater for the proposed development, and the potential archaeological impacts.’
The centre An Bord Pleanala acknowledged was planned as a significant facility featuring a selection of activities including a trampoline facility, ninja assault courses an indoor ski slope, climbing wall, a zip line, a wire course, a soft play area, a state of the art gym and a cafe.
The company behind the plans argued in the appeals process that a similar type facility operates in Belfast.
However, the appeal by Ms. Kirk, highlighted that it operates within an existing warehouse in an established industrial park, whereas the Dundalk facility was mooted for a greenfield site remote from the urban area.
Ultimately, the decision to uphold the appeal came down to a lack of infrastructure in the area, and in particular in dealing with sewerage.
An Bord Pleanala said it had made the order as; ‘Having regard to the lack of foul sewerage infrastructure serving the subject land, it is considered that development of the kind proposed on the land would be premature by reference to an existing deficiency in the provision of sewerage facilities.
The Board is not satisfied, in the absence of information to the contrary, that there may be an existing and more suitably located premises available that would be a more appropriate venue for the development proposed.’ An Bord Pleanala also queried ‘ the appropriateness of seeking outline permission for a proposed development of this nature.’
The privately-funded, 50,000 square foot attraction was set to be developed by Gareth and Lorna Murphy, the creative team behind the We Are Vertigo adventure centre in Belfast.
When planning permission was granted by Louth County Council at the beginning of the year, they had promised construction and fitting out of the new centre in Dundalk, with completion estimated early 2017.
The couple said they had chosen Dundalk due to its location equi-distant between Belfast and Dublin, and they were keen to get to work on what they hoped would be a major visitor attraction in Louth. The decision by An Bord Pleanala to refuse outline planning permission is a major setback for the plans.
Despite requests from the Argus, the company said they had ‘ no comment at this time’ on the decision.
PROPOSAL WOULD BE PREMATURE BY REFERENCE TO AN EXISTING DEFICIENCY IN PROVISION OF SEWAGE FACILITIES