Councillors call for reform of roads policy along Ring of Kerry amid planning refusals

Councillors claimed developments all along the 180km ring are being stalled as Transport Infrastructure Ireland issues blanket objections to new or existing entrances onto the N70, N71 and N72

TII opposed the plans for redevelopment of a B&B for staff accommodation for a leading hotel and golf resort because the entrance and exit of the guesthouse was directly onto the N70 Ring of Kerry. File picture

National roads policy for the Ring of Kerry needs urgent reform, councillors have warned.

They claimed developments all along the 180km ring are being stalled as Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) issues blanket objections to new or existing entrances onto the N70, N71 and N72.

The call followed the refusal of planning permission for staff accommodation for a leading hotel and golf resort — despite the proposal involving a B&B with an established entrance onto a national secondary road. Hogs Head Golf Club near Waterville was refused permission by An Coimisiún Pleanála last November after a single-issue appeal by TII.

Kerry County Council had granted permission for the redevelopment of the former Brookhaven Guest House into staff accommodation for 20 people. The guesthouse, already in use as staff quarters, is around 5km from the golf course, spa, and luxury accommodation at Hogs Head.

TII opposed the plans for redevelopment because the entrance and exit of the guesthouse was directly onto the N70 Ring of Kerry. The proposal by A&M Hogs Head Ltd relied on an earlier planning permission that had been granted under different development conditions, planning policies, and traffic safety standards, TII said.

An Coimisiún Pleanála agreed and said development would be at variance with official policy in relation to control of development on and affecting national roads.

Local councillor Johnny Healy‑Rae told a recent meeting of Kerry County Council that applications should be considered on their individual merits. He said that even though the hotel planned to use an eight‑seater minibus to access an existing B&B, TII still objected.

“It’s unbelievable we can have a blanket policy on everything, “ said Mr Healy-Rae.

He claimed that neither Liebherr Ireland, one of the biggest employers in the county, located on the N72 in Killarney, nor the golf course in the town would get planning permission today because of their exits onto the national secondary road.

Councillors unanimously backed Mr Healy-Rae’s motion that Kerry County Council write to the environment minister with regards to TII policy “as this is affecting our county massively over others".

Councillors also heard how the Lansdowne Hotel in Kenmare is housing staff in guest bedrooms due to the acute shortage of worker accommodation in the Ring of Kerry area.

This article was funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme