Landowners set to fight planning decision on hunt kennels

A GROUP of landowners are considering seeking a judicial review after An Bord Pleanála overturned its own inspector’s report and allowed a hunt club to build kennels for a pack of beagles in an area known for its sheep farming.

An Bord Pleanála inspector Laurie Mulrine came down in favour of objectors who said there were a number of reasons why locating the kennels and stables complex at Garrylaurence, near the village of Clonmult in Co Cork, was a bad idea.

The inspector, who visited the site, noted the narrowness of roads in the immediate area and the poor alignment of the road directly outside it.

Ms Mulrine added that she felt the road was “totally unsuitable” to carry extra traffic, such as horse-boxes and transporters that would be used as a result of the development.

She said she was also concerned that this additional traffic “would endanger public safety”.

Ms Mulrine said that the elevated site earmarked for the project was unsuitable and that she couldn’t understand why more appropriate sites were not being looked at.

However, she was overruled by her own board which decided that the development wouldn’t seriously injure the amenities of the area and would “be acceptable in terms of traffic safety.”

Tim Murphy, who has a 300-strong flock of sheep and lives near the site, said he was astonished at the decision.

Mr Murphy said he was concerned, as were other landowners, that the dogs could worry sheep.

He also claimed that 62 people had objected to the kennels plan.

“It is known that barking dogs affect the mating of sheep as well.

“On top of that the roads in the area will not be able to cope with the kind of traffic this will generate.

“The roads around there are known as a walking loop and people’s safety could be put at risk,” Mr Murphy added.

He added that the objectors were taking legal advice and could ultimately seek a judicial review of the Bord Pleanála decision.

Dominic Daly, chairman of the United Hunt Club, claimed the objectors were only “a handful of people” and that the vast majority of locals were in favour of the plan.

He said the hunt club, which is over 100 years old, had its kennels in Midleton, but simply didn’t have enough space to exercise its hounds properly.

“The position is that we applied for planning permission and An Bord Pleanála confirmed it with its decision. We will shortly go out to tender,” Mr Daly said.