Planning permission for a camper van park at Narin, Portnoo has been refused by An Coimisiún Pleanála.
The planning body upheld the decision by Donegal County Council to refuse permission for the proposed development, less than a kilometre from Narin Portnoo Strand.
Developer Mr Patrick Boyle has sought permission for the construction of a camper van park to consist of 10 parking bays with associated services.
The application provided for the development of internal pathways, laneways and additional parking areas, play area and picnic benches within green areas as well as a service building containing showers/toilets/reception area.
As part of the development, there was provision for the installation of new on-site sewage treatment system and percolation area and proposed new signage board at entrance to site together with all associated site development works.
Donegal County Council decided to refuse permission in February and Mr Boyle lodged an appeal against that determination.
He contested that the development would have a minimal visual impact and that any impact on residential areas would be “negligible”.
Mr Boyle added that noise and lighting controls were included and noted that camper vans are transitory and not permanent structures.
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Mr Boyle said the proposed development would deliver a strategic tourism infrastructure and would meet an identified regional need.
In a submission to Donegal County Council during the initial planning process, some residents objected to the development.
One couple said that the site is on very high ground “and will be visible from all approach roads as well as all the homes in the area and even from Arranmore Island”.
They raised issues around light pollution and traffic and added that the development could have a serious effect on the corncrake.
In its decision, An Coimisiún Pleanála said that by reason of its detachment from the coastal tourism setting and general failure to integrate with, and reflect the character and amenity of this landscape, the proposed development would adversely impact on the scenic quality, visual amenity and rural character of the area, and would materially detract from the visual and scenic amenities of this important approach to Narin-Portnoo Strand.
They also said that they considered that the proposed development would “significantly impact on existing residential amenities by reason of noise, lighting and general disturbance in a quite rural area on the periphery of the settlement of Portnoo/Narin.”