Permission refused for new walking trails along Waterford's Copper Coast

An Bord Pleanála has refused permission for the development of a series of walking trails along the Copper Coast between Stradbally and Bunmahon in County Waterford.

Led by Waterford City & County Council, the proposal comprised of three trail walkways (Stradbally to Killelton, Ballydowane Beach and Cooneennacartan to Trá na mBo) and an extension of the existing car park at Ballydowane Beach in the townlands of Ballydowane West and Ballydowane East.

A viewing platform on the headland overlooking Ballydowane Beach, linked to the walkway by a 1.2m boardwalk, was also proposed.

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In a report prepared for An Bord Pleanála, planning inspector Adrian Ormsby noted the location of the proposed development is located in the Mid-Waterford Coast Special Protection Area (SPA) which encompasses the areas of high coast and sea cliffs in Co. Waterford between Newtown Cove to the east and Ballyvoyle to the west.

A number of bird species - Cormorant, Peregrine, Herring Gull, and Chough - are all known to nest along this part of the Waterford coast which has UNESCO status.

As part of the planning process, a number of State agencies were consulted and concerns were expressed about the likely 'adverse effect' of the proposed development - particularly on the Chough’s population and its habitat.

A submission from Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage stated: "In the case of Chough the proposed development would significantly degrade a large area of core habitat within the SPA and constitute a significant adverse effect on the integrity of the Mid-Waterford Coast SPA. It is not accepted that any mitigation proposed will remove this impact."

The strongly-worded submission adds: "The Department is in no doubt that if the proposed development were to proceed it would have an adverse effect on usage of the area by the chough population in addition to potential impacts on other species. The development would have an adverse impact on the integrity of the European Site within which it is proposed. The Department is also concerned that such a development would create a precedent and incentive for other similar developments within the designated SPA and pressure to join up disparate access points on the coast by traversing through the SPA, adversely affecting other areas of habitat."

Having considered the various reports and submissions and having sought the views of An Bord Pleanála’s in-house ecologist, Dr. Maeve Flynn, Mr Ormsby said he was of the view the Board "cannot be satisfied that the proposal would not adversely affect the integrity of the Mid-Waterford Coast SPA" meaning it is "precluded" from granting approval for the development - a view which members of the Board adopted.