Farmer fails to halt building

A FARMER who came to prominence after a multi-million euro land deal has failed in a bid to stop a couple building a family home on a neighbouring site.

Clare farmer JJ McCabe lost out on a planning dispute with prospective neighbours at Skehanagh, Clarecastle.

An Bord Pleanála dismissed his appeal on technical grounds against a decision by Clare County Council to grant planning permission to Shane and Fiona Mulhern.

An independent candidate in the recent General Election — garnering 248 first-preference votes — the 73-year-old bachelor scooped an €18.8 million windfall from the sale of 50 acres of land at Skehanagh, Clarecastle.

Mr McCabe sold the lands to Galway developer Stephen Harris after local councillors rezoned the land commercial. The developer subsequently failed to secure planning permission for a €50m retail park on the site, due in part to flooding issues.

Last year, the Mulherns lodged plans for a home at Skehanagh, Clarecastle.

However, Mr McCabe lodged an objection with the council against the plan, claiming the exit from the home represented a public health and safety hazard. He also claimed the application did not conform to any kind of normal planning. “It’s in breach of the county development plan,” he said..

However, An Bord Pleanála dismissed his appeal stating there was no acknowledgement of a local submission made by Mr McCabe. Mr McCabe said yesterday he had not received any correspondence from An Bord Pleanála.