Clare publican granted permission for retention of cooler units despite objection

A Clare publican has been granted planning permission for the retention of three external cooler units despite objections from an elderly woman who lives next door.

Caitriona Finn who runs The Corner Bar at the Square in Kildysart has been granted conditional permission by the local authority but this decision was appealed to An Bord Pleanála.

In her objection, the appellant claimed several rooms in her home have been affected by "constant humming and vibration noise" since the coolers were installed.

While the noise is intermittent, she stated that it causes her annoyance and keeps her awake at night. "I can no longer enjoy my house as I am unable to relax, unwind and most importantly sleep," she wrote.

In a report, which was published just before Christmas, planning inspector Lorraine Dockery noted the cooling units at the centre of the planning dispute are located "at first floor level attached to the SE elevation over a flat roofed area".

Ms Dockery, who carried out a site visit in October noted that a window at the appellant's home "would appear to be positioned on the boundary wall of the two properties, facing directly onto the subject site."

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While acknowledging the concerns of the appellant, she also noted that Clare Council Council had imposed conditions to address the concerns including the installation of an acoustic barrier.

"Having examined the information before me I am of the opinion that unmitigated the proposed cooler units could have a moderate adverse impact on the adjoining residential property in terms of noise over and above a situation whereby there were no such units.

"Notwithstanding this, I consider that the potential impact on neighbouring residents will not be so significantly adverse as to warrant a refusal of permission and is proposed to be mitigated insofar as is reasonable and practical," she stated.

In granting permission for the retention of the coolers, members of the Board imposed a number of conditions, including that plans to install an acoustic barrier be progressed as quickly as possible.