Plan for a ‘ honey house’ is refused

AN Bord Pleanala has turned down an application for the construction of a ‘ honey house’ at Breeoge, Knocknahur.

Kevin McDonagh had already been refused planning for the proposal by the County Council but appealed this decision. The plan was for a 60 square metre agricultural building to be used for the extraction and storage of honey. Residents in the local had objected. There is a long history of planning applications in the past for the tie with the applicant being refused permission for a house there on numerous occasions. The board’s planning inspector, Tom Rabbette noted that there were a number of man- made hives on lands immediately adjoining the site to the west belonging to the applicant and that he had permission from the adjoining landowner to locate the hives there. Mr Rabbette pointed out that in terms of scale it was not an insignificant structure at this rural location He goes on to say he found the application’s justification and stated need for the building somewhat confusing and contradictory. The information in the grounds of appeal suggests, at the very least, a proposal for a significant commercial honey- production activity at the site in the long term.

The inspector said the board needs to be satisfied that such a building with the proposed processes needs to be located on this site and he believed the applicant had failed to demonstrate this need.

He said the board was not satisfied the proposed beekeeping activities justifies a development of the scale and nature proposed and would be more appropriately located within a designated development centre on suitably zoned and serviced land.