by Louise Doyle
AN Bord Pleanála has granted planning permission for a waterpark and funfair in Donegal following a third party appeal citing visual impact and traffic concerns.
Donegal County Council had given the go-ahead for the development, which also includes amusement rides and slides, at the Astoria Ballroom, Astoria Road and Atlantic Way in Bundoran to applicant T Wilmot & Sons Limited in August 2022, subject to eight conditions.
One stipulation was that the opening hours of the premises are confined to the hours of 1pm and 9pm in the interests of residential amenity.
Third party objections on the grounds of parking issues and a negative impact on amenities were lodged by Anthony Marston, of Marston Planning Consultancy on behalf of their client, Michelle Wilmot, a Bundoran resident, and Atlantic Way Management Co. Ltd., C/o Eileen McGrinder.
Documentation submitted to An Bord Pleanála by Martson Planning Consultancy outlined concerns that the development would result in an “intensification of development at the location”, which would “result in unregulated car parking as well as creating noise and light disturbance, irrespective of the restricted hours of operation”.
Marston Planning Consultancy wrote: “The proposed development includes rides and slides which are of significant height and form (up to 20m in height).”
Concerns were also raised about the lack of detail regarding ancillary services, including toilet facilities or other support services associated with the development.
“The provision of such temporary sanitary facilities, for a development that is proposed to be in use for six months of the year, is completely unacceptable from a sanitary and hygiene perspective.”
Traffic concerns were also cited.
“The proposed development is located beside an existing adventure park and a go karting facility operated by the applicant. It is considered that the proposal for a funfair/waterpark will result in an intensification of this type of development at this location.
“Whilst there is a large number of car parking spaces within the coastal area of Bundoran, (there is) no assessment of whether they have the capacity to provide car parking for this significant intensification of the development of this coastal area.”
Having considered the submissions and the Inspector’s report at a Board meeting on December 19, 2023, An Bord Pleanála granted permission for the development, with seven conditions attached: “Having regard to the location of the site within Bundoran on lands zoned for town centre purposes, the policies and objectives of the Donegal County Council Development Plan 2018-2024 and the pattern of development in the area, it is considered that the proposed development would not seriously injure the visual or residential amenities of the area, would not be prejudicial to public health, would be acceptable in terms of pedestrian and traffic safety and would constitute an acceptable use at this location.”
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