Kerry councillors contradict department by backing 'visually sensitive site' for housing

The 3.2 hectare site at Cahernane is designated as visually sensitive in the county development plan and is currently used for agriculture

The Department of Housing has said the site was of " historic" significance and associated with the historic Cahernane House, once home of the Herbert family and now the luxury Cahernane House Hotel (pictured). File photo

Councillors in Killarney have unanimously backed a material alteration to extend the town's settlement boundary and zone a large “visually sensitive site” on the Muckross Road for potentially large-scale housing.

The councillors are disputing objections by the Department of Housing and the Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR) about the site's historic significance.