Planning board refuses permission for Rowing Ireland's high performance training centre

Rowing Ireland said the need for the new boathouse was not to attract new members but to increase the storage facilities for boats for rowers training professionally who currently transported their boats to the lakes. File photo: INPHO/Morgan Treacy

The governing body of rowing in Ireland has suffered a major setback after being refused planning permission for a new high performance training centre on the shore of Blessington Lakes in Wicklow because of its potential impact on a protected species of wild goose.

An Coimisiún Pleanála upheld an appeal against the decision of Wicklow County Council to approve the development by Rowing Ireland for the proposed facility, including a new boathouse at Burgage Moyle — about two kilometres south of Blessington.