Jordan objects to €10m Beara project

MORE than 1,800 people have signed a petition supporting a €10 million project which has been objected to by film director Neil Jordan.

People living in the Beara Peninsula in west Cork reacted angrily when Jordan, who owns a home in the area, objected to the building of a holiday complex.

Cork County Council approved the redevelopment of the Wheel Inn site, which would include 65 homes, a bar/restaurant, swimming pool and marina.

However, Neil Jordan made an objection to An Bord Pleanála. In response, the Beara Action Group took up a petition on the peninsula and collected the large number of signatures which have been forwarded to the appeals board.

Beara Action Group chairman Denis Regan said that the petition was collected in less than a week and showed the level of support for the project.

“We’re hoping this will sway An Bord Pleanála. There was an outcry from the people of Beara. They need this project for their children’s futures and to aid the local economy. More than 1,800 people are saying ‘Hands-off, Neil Jordan’. They’re saying he’s welcome in Beara, but don’t dictate,” Mr Regan said.

The film director owns a holiday home in the peninsula and was concerned that some aspects of the proposed development would infringe on his property.

Locals are incensed that the excuse Mr Jordan is using is that the developers will not build the swimming pool along with the houses.

Local county councillor Michael Harrington said he fully supported the proposed development, as did council planners.

“It’s important to note that it is not on a greenfield site. It was originally a holiday village that went into dereliction. The development needs to go ahead for the sake of the local economy,” Cllr Harrington said.

He said he hoped An Bord Pleanála would give it the green light, because if it didn’t it would send out a very bad message to other developers who might be interested in creating projects in the Beara Peninsula.