Appeal lodged against Ardcavan development

A decision by Wexford County Council to grant planning permission for a business centre in Ardcavan including a medical centre and cafe, has been appealed to An Bord Pleanála.

Local authority planners gave the go ahead in early December to Tom O’Connor to build the development incorporating over 4,000 square metres of office space, with 156 parking spaces and a new right turn lane on the R471 regional road.

A number of residents and a business raised concerns about the development during the planning stage but Wexford County Council said it was acceptable and ruled that the design and lay-out presented no issues.

A Natura Impact Statement submitted with the planning application acknowledged that there was potential for the project to have adverse effects through silt and pollution on two European sites but concluded that subject to the implementation of best practice and recommended mitigation measures, it would not have a significant impact on the conservation objectives of the Slaney River Valley Special Area of Conservation (SAC)and the Wexford Harbour and Slobs Special Protection Area (SPA).

The Council attached a number of conditions to the planning permission including the need for an archaeological report before the commencement of work and details of hazardous waste which would be generated by the medical centre.

Resident John Molloy of Orchard Close, Ardcavan was among a number of objectors to the original planning application and claimed that the area is not suitable for development, the road infrastructure is inadequate and there is an oversupply of industrial units in the Wexford area.

He has lodged an appeal against the local authority decision to An Bord Pleanála which is due to give a determination on May 11 this year.

During pre-planning consultations between the developer and the Council, it was stated that a flood risk assessment would be required and given the scale of the development and its prominent location in relation to a proposed Greenway route, that the local authority would seek the provision of a ‘Changing Places’ facility in addition to accessible toilets.

Another resident who made observations on the planning application, said the land had been reclaimed, leading to poor drainage.