Retention permission refused once again for ‘eco pods’ on Inch Island

Planning permission has been refused by An Bord Pleanála for the second time in less than a year for the retention of two ‘eco pods’ that were constructed despite local objections.

Derry Musician Keith Harkin and his wife Kelsey had sought ‘retention’ of the development on the grounds of their property at Glack House on Inch Island. The application also included an extension to an outbuilding for guest use and an extension to an outbuilding to be used as a tool shed. 

The former Celtic Thunder singer and his wife were also denied permission for the change of use of outbuildings from domestic use to guest use and from a utility room to a kitchen area for guests to use. 

Two objections were lodged against the application on traffic-related issues, fire safety concerns, water shortages, and the disposal of wastewater.

Cathal and Francesca Mc Daid had several concerns regarding the commercial development, which would be situated close to the proposed Buncrana to Bridgend Greenway. 

These included that the domestic water supply is “insufficient to cater for this commercial tourism development. During the drier weather, the well supplying the property can and does run dry for extended periods of up to 48 hours. The applicants have stated rainwater harvesting tanks as a solution to the inadequacy of water. However, during the drier weather, rainwater harvesting will not be sufficient, especially if the well runs dry.”

Another objection was submitted by Charles McDaid, who stated that his main points of objection, which were made to Donegal County Council, are the grounds of his appeal. 

In his appeal to the planning authority, Mr McDaid stated that he “owned the agricultural lane that leads to Glack House. The applicants only have access to their property by means of a right-of-way through my laneway. I have never given consent to allow for the change of use of the right-of-way from domestic to commercial.”

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The couple opened Glack House accommodation in 2020, which comprised of two log cabin pods available to rent on Airbnb. In October 2022, Donegal County Council issued an enforcement order to remove the development, stating that the two glamping pods and ancillary facilities were developed without planning permission. Mr and Mrs Harkin subsequently made an application for retention permission, which was refused in March 2023. 

The Harkins made a similar application in the summer of 2023, and this was given the green light by Donegal County Council, but 12 months later was successfully appealed by residents to An Bord Pleanála. 

The latest application was again granted planning permission by Donegal County Council at the start of this year but like the last application, An Bord Pleanála has turned it down as the “board cannot be satisfied that an adequate water supply is available to accommodate the development.”

“It is considered, therefore, that the development proposal would be prejudicial to public health.”

The Board also refused permission for the development due to the vehicular, cycle, and pedestrian access being “along an unsurfaced minor laneway which is inadequate in width.”

“It is considered that the additional traffic generated by the commercial activity, along with the existing residential use, may result in oncoming vehicles waiting along or reversing onto the public road, which would endanger public safety by reason of traffic hazard.”