Michael Healy-Rae pub planning bid held up

KERRY TD Michael HealyRae’s ongoing efforts to convert a former pub in Tralee into apartments have hit another roadblock.

Last week it emerged that the independent deputy’s plans to convert the ground floor of the former Nancy Myles pub premises at Ballymullen in Tralee into four apartments has been appealed to An Bord Pleanála.

Despite opposition from 10 local residents – several of whom filed individual submissions to the council opposing Deputy Healy Rae’s plans – Kerry County Council granted permission for the conversion of the pub in mid-November of this year.

The planned conversion followed on from a previous application to convert a single-story extension to the rear of the building into four apartments.

That proposal – itself a modified version of an unsuccessful application for permission to install nine apartments in the building – had also been given the green light by Kerry County Council, but it was shot down by An Bord Pleanála in November 2018.

The council’s decision to approve Deputy Healy-Rae’s latest application has now been appealed to An Bord Pleanala by Michael Horgan of Cloonbeg in Ballymullen.

In a previous submission to Kerry County Council Mr Horgan said the planned development would be injurious to the area; devalue neighbouring properties and set an unacceptable precedent for future developments in the area.

A decision on the case is due to be made by the planning board by mid-April 2020.

File photo The former Nancy Myles bar premises in Tralee.