local

Pleanala to rule on doubts about use of premises at home

DOUBTS WERE raised by the local Council that premises at rear of a home outside Sligo town might be used for ''commercial purposes.''

Planners refused the premises owner permission to retain the development, which had gone ahead without a planning permission.

Now, Bord Pleanala confirmed last week that it has been asked to rule on an appeal in the case.

Pleanala has indicated that its decision is due by March 1st 2013. However, this may only be an indicative date.

Derek Chambers had sought permission in August from Sligo County Council to retain an agricultural storage shed over five metres high, plus a ''domestic garage'' at Cartronmore, Drumcliffe.

There had been a number of previous applications turned down on the same site, the planning file confirms.

The most recent report by the Council planner raised concerns in relation to the use of the shed for ''commercial purposes.''


Farming Activities


Refusal by the County Council of the request to retain the development was recommended in a reported dated September 19th by Barry Ward, Executive Planner and Frank Moylan, Acting Senior Planner.

Reasons cited by the County Council in its later formal refusal  included ''excessive scale of the development.''

it added: ''It is considered that the development is out of character with the rural environment and detracts from the visual amenities of the area.

''The development sets an undesirable precedent for the area,'' ruled the Council.

One neighbour, Seamus Waters of Castletown, Drumcliffe, had written to the Council supporting the applicant.

''I live within a quarter of a mile of Derek Chambers  and I know that he has a shed at the back of his house.

''As far as I aware this shed is used only in relation to the house and some farming activities,'' Mr Waters told the Council in a letter dated July.