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[Press Release: February 2nd, 2005] De Burca claims an Bord Pleanala's decision to approve tourism and leisure facility for Newtownmountkennedy a mistakeGreen Party councillor, Deirdre de Burca, has claimed that the recent approval by an Bord Pleanála of a planning application for an 150 million euros, international-scale tourism and leisure complex near Newtownmountkennedy, Co Wicklow,was a mistake as the planning inspector who dealt with the case had recommended refusal.She claims that previous plans by Norpark Investments Ltd for a "summer sun and winter snow" leisure facility at Ballinahinch Lower, with access from the N11, were rejected by an Bord Pleanala board in 2001 because of concerns about its retail content and traffic problems. De Burca points out that an Taisce has warned that a "Red Cow situation" could develop at the junction of the N11 and M50. "I find it hard to understand how the board has now ruled that the proposed development would be acceptable in traffic terms" says de Burca. The Green councillor claims that in deciding not to accept its inspector's recommendation, the board said it took into account the zoning of the 84-acre site for tourism, leisure and recreational uses, the reduced scale of the latest scheme and the road improvements proposed. "The "summer sun/winter snow" domed building, located in a disused gravel quarry, will incorporate two main ski slopes - billed as the largest indoors anywhere in Europe - as well as a nursery slope and a snow play area adjoining an "Alpine village" says de Burca. The Green Party councillor has questioned whether such a large- scale, commercial development will suitable in this area. "We are told that developments such as this represent 'progress'. In fact, while its developers will probably make a lot of money from it, it will turn the site into a playground for Dublin and elsewhere, and will totally change the rural nature of the area.What we are seeing in fact is the rapid, and complete urbanisation of North County Wicklow". She points out that he plan also includes a 184-bedroom hotel, bars, restaurants and function rooms, 23 apartments, an 18-hole "executive golf course", a health and leisure academy, an interpretative and education centre, car and coach parking and an amenity lake. Councillor de Burca insists that this kind of development, in a greenbelt area under the Greater Dublin Area Regional Planning Guidelines, is not an appropriate locationfor a "major, indeed international-scale, tourism and leisure facility" because of the lack of public transport accessibility. She noted that in granting permission with 31 conditions, the appeals board said all road improvements detailed in the planning application "shall be carried out, fully completed and certified by the planning authority prior to the operation of any part of the proposed facility". The board also stated that a "mobility management plan" - including bus connections - should be submitted to and agreed in writing with Wicklow County Council in the interests of proper planning and sustainable development. The Green Party councillor says that on the basis of Wicklow County Council's track record on enforcement to date, she is not terribly confident that these planning conditions will be fulfilled.
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