Killarney housing development gets go-ahead after delay over impact on bats
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Work is to begin immediately on the construction of more than 220 residential units in Killarney adjacent to the National Park after a second bid to obtain planning was successful.
The initial application had been refused by An Bord Pleanála over fears it would impact negatively on a local colony of bats.
The 224 residential units — which comprises 76 houses and 148 apartments — will be located on a six-hectare site on the western side of the town alongside Killarney National Park.
The application had initially been submitted directly to An Bord Pleanála as a strategic housing development in 2022. However, it was refused due to fears about the effects the development's artificial lighting would have on the Lesser Horseshoe bat.
The protected bat's commuting path to its roosts is along the Denagh River opposite the proposed build. Fears for the bat had been raised by the National Parks and Wildlife section of the Department of Housing.
There had also been a number of objections from nearby residents and environmental groups on grounds of density, design, traffic, and environmental impact.
A second application was subsequently lodged by the developer with better screening and better light mitigation measures.
An Bord Pleanála's inspector recommended approval of this application in a lengthy report, setting down 29 conditions, and the board has now ruled in line with its inspector.
The conditions attached included that an ecologist oversees site set-up and construction. An environmental consultant is also to be engaged and a minimum of 30 swift boxes are to be installed
Work is to commence immediately on the development, Michael Hegarty, director of Portal Assets Holding Ltd, said. He welcomed the decision as “fantastic news for Killarney at a time when the housing need has never been greater”.
"It was a very comprehensive application process and a very considered decision by the board."
The greenfield site comprises 6.1945 hectares, on the eastern side of the Port Road/ N71 to the north west of Killarney town centre near what is known as The Demesne, St Mary's Cathedral and a number of schools and hospitals and convent. The centre of the site is approximately 650m to the north west from the top/northern end of High Street, Killarney.
Meanwhile, a second large housing development of over 200 homes, this time social housing, is also underway on the eastern side of Killarney at Cronin's Wood.