An Coimisiún Pleanála has refused planning permission for a proposed driving range and golf studio at Cahir Park Golf Club in County Tipperary, overturning a previous approval granted by Tipperary County Council.
The application, submitted by lessee Paul Eivers, outlined plans for six covered driving range bays, four external range bays, and a golf studio at the site.
The council’s initial approval was appealed by local residents Kathleen, Michelle, and Dara Crimmins, Simon and Julie Roche, and Kevin and Caroline Sullivan. The appellants argued that the construction would represent “an intrusive invasion of privacy.”
In their appeal letter, the residents stated:
“The proposed development will result in an increase of golfers congregating behind the Crimmins/Sullivan homes at close range.
“The height of the proposed building ... is a drastic intrusion on our sunlight and daylight and will itself be unsightly and imposing. The width of the proposed development is the full width of our back garden.
“This proposal has been granted permission to take privacy and sunlight away from the Crimmins/Sullivan family permanently, which is deeply distressing.”
The appellants also raised structural concerns regarding the proposed roof type in an area known for high wind events, warning that it could blow away in severe weather.
Additionally, residents highlighted ongoing issues with the existing facility, stating:
“One of the most serious concerns we raise as adjacent residents is the unregulated, unsupervised, and late-night use of the existing driving range — a situation that will be exacerbated by the proposed expansion to six covered and four uncovered driving bays.”
According to the appeal, the facility lacks fixed operating times, with golfers frequently arriving after 10 p.m., which the residents described as “entirely inappropriate.” They noted that the absence of gate access or on-site staff allows unrestricted access, leading to unmonitored noise, anti-social behavior, and extended usage.
“This commercial development provides a space to users for their enjoyment and leisure, which they can walk away from, whenever their day ends,” the letter stated. “However, this location is home to three families, and we are at the mercy of the golf club management, and the applicant, Mr Eivers, where their commercial sports facility is taking precedence over our peace and the right to live in our homes stress-free and without intrusion.”
In response to the appeal, representatives for the applicant and golf club stated that the new bays would not increase overall capacity, with a maximum of 19 people on site at any given time. They noted that the structure would be sunken, placing the finished floor levels below those of the adjacent residential properties.
An agent for Mr. Eivers stated that opening hours would be “typical of this type of development and is the subject of a planning condition.” Addressing concerns regarding lighting and public consultation, the agent stated:
“Lighting will be designed to eliminate glare and light pollution. The purpose is to view the ball in flight on screen rather than light the range to view the ball in the dark.
“No direct communication with neighbouring properties was conducted. The development was advertised in a local newspaper with multiple site notices erected.”
Despite a planning inspector recommending that permission be granted, An Coimisiún Pleanála chose to refuse the application.
The commission determined that because the application was lodged by Mr. Eivers as a lessee rather than by Cahir Park Golf Club directly, the development constituted “a new separate sports/leisure facility (commercial) on lands zoned for open space” rather than an extension of the existing club.
In its final decision, the commission stated:
“It is considered that the intensification of use at this location by way of 10 additional range bays and the introduction of flood lighting, would adversely impact on the residential amenity of the existing dwellings immediately to the west of the application site.”
The board concluded that the proposed commercial facility “would be contrary to the open space land-use zoning objective for the lands as indicated in the Cahir Local Area Plan.”
The planning authority added that in the absence of an ecological assessment detailing potential environmental impacts, it could not be satisfied that the development would not adversely affect the local ecosystem.
