Plan to demolish baths turned down

A MOVE to demolish buildings containing popular seaweed baths in Ballybunion, Co Kerry, has been turned down by An Bord Pleanála.

Developer John Walsh proposed to replace the buildings, on the Ladies’ Strand, with a modern, three-storey development, including three apartments, four duplex houses and a commercial unit.

However, the planning appeals board decided the site was unsuitable for such a terraced complex — although Kerry County Council had given planning permission subject to 40 conditions.