Killarney centre for rape victims denied permission over impact on bat

Also the area is a flood plain of the nearby Lough Leane

The Department of Heritage said it is absolutely vital the quality and efficiency of this edge of Reen as a commuting corridor and frequently-used foraging area for the Lesser Horseshoe Bat is not compromised.

Planning for a "vital" counselling centre for rape victims on Killarney’s Ross Road has been denied permission because of the effect of artificial lighting on the protected Lesser Horseshoe Bat.

Kerry County Council had originally refused permission for the centre because of concern for the protected bat, but also as the area is a flood plain of the nearby Lough Leane, the council said.

In an appeal to An Bord Pleanála, the Kerry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre said such a service was vital at a regional and local level for the community. It said the site alongside the Killarney National Park would afford a quiet location and privacy to victims and their families.

The Rape Crisis centre also questioned how other developments had been allowed and said there was a lack of consistency in the planning approach.

The centre was "vital", the directors said in their appeal.

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However, the site is alongside a designated EU site, the Killarney National Park, and the Department of Heritage said it is absolutely vital the quality and efficiency of this edge of Reen as a commuting corridor and frequently-used foraging area (for the Lesser Horseshoe Bat) is not compromised.

An Bord Pleanahas refused permission in line with its inspector’s recommendation and the councils' decision.

The board said it was not satisfied in relation to the adequacy of the mitigation measures proposed to ensure the proposed development, in particular the proposed lighting scheme, would not adversely affect the foraging and/or commuting routes of the Lesser Horseshoe Bat. 

"Therefore, adverse effects on the integrity of a European Site, namely the Killarney National Park, Macgillycuddy's Reeks and Caragh River Catchment Special Area of Conservation, cannot be excluded," the board said.

It was also concerned about flood risk as the site was in an area prone to flooding.

A number of developments have been turned down in recent years in Killarney because of concern for the effects of artificial lighting on the highly protected bat which has its home in Killarney National Park.