Dromoland Castle Hotel seeks to block Applegreen service stop

The Dromoland Castle Hotel is seeking to block renewed plans by forecourt operator Applegreen to extend its network of motorway service areas into Co Clare.

Last month, Applegreen lodged plans to construct a motorway service stop on the Limerick-Ennis motorway in close proximity to the five-star hotel.

The site is only 6km from a site on which fast food retailer Supermacs recently secured planning for a service stop near Ennis.

That plan has now been put on hold after Applegreen lodged an appeal against the decision with An Bord Pleanála.

Buoyed by Supermac’s success before Clare County Council, Applegreen has re-applied for planning at the Dromoland site.

Last year, the Council refused planning to Applegreen for a service station at the site.

In its objection, Dromoland stated that the proposed development could result in the proliferation of service areas by the creation of two off-line motorway service stations in immediate proximity to each other at only 5.9km apart.

Favouring the Supermac’s plan, the appeal states: “One of these locations is plan-led, the proposed location by Applegreen is not.”

The appeal states that such an approach could lead to driver confusion on the M18 route due to likely multiplicity and duplication of similar motorway signage.

Dromoland Castle points out the planned development site is 200m from the estate and 600m from its main entrance.

It says the proposal on unzoned lands and without justification regarding the suitability of the location “would be contrary to the provisions of the Clare Co Development Plan”.