New tourism facility finally greenlit for Dungarvan's Abbeyside after initial refusal
The former single-storey farm buildings are located at Strandside South, Abbeyside, on the shores of the river Colligan.
The development of tourist accommodation in disused farm outbuildings at a picturesque location in county Waterford has been approved.
The former single-storey farm buildings are located at Strandside South, Abbeyside, on the shores of the river Colligan.
The site currently also accommodates an existing thatched cottage, which is a protected structure.
Applicant Anna Tierney submitted plans to Waterford City and County Council in June, seeking permission to transform the buildings into four en-suite bedroom short-stay holiday units.
Permission to change the use of an existing haybarn to a covered seating area/farmyard tea rooms was also sought.
The planning report states: “The site forms part of the applicant’s family ancestral home, which operated as Abbey Farm, a town farm, which retailed farm produce directly to the local community until approximately the year 2000.
"The applicant now wishes to develop the heritage tourism potential of the existing site by providing tourism accommodation and associated tourism services, by utilizing the site's unique characteristics and reusing the existing heritage farm buildings.”
Waterford City and County Council decided to refuse the development last month.
The applicant subsequently appealed this decision to An Coimisiún Pleanála, who have decided to overturn the Council's decision.
The inspector outlined: “It is considered that the development would not detract from the character and setting of the protected structure or the role of the village centre, would not seriously injure the residential amenities of the area or of property in the vicinity nor would it represent a traffic safety issue.
"The proposed development would, therefore, be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area."
