Planning victory for Tipperary group opposed to demolition of buildings on Coolmore farm

An Coimisiún Pleanála has come down in favour of an environmental group who objected to the demolition of farmyard buildings outside Clonmel on Coolmore property.

On behalf of the Save Parkville Farm Group, Dr Alan Moore expressed his delight at the decision this week to support the appeal against Coolmore’s application to demolish the vernacular farmyard at Parkville, Clonmel. Moore believes that the demolition of the iconic farm courtyard which is prominently sited beside the Fethard road to Clonmel would have been completely unjustified given that the buildings are not only beautiful ,but also completely repairable and could be adapted to accommodate a range of different uses.

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He also drew attention to the very significant public interest in their preservation which included a lively protest demonstration in October last year which drew more than seventy people and the formation of a group of over 90 local residents and landowners in the Save Parkville Group. Moore is also secretary of Hedgerows Ireland and recalls that his organisation was initially approached by residents when Parkville was sold in relation to their concerns about Coolmore’s intentions in relation to the trees, hedges and duck pond on the 65 acre farm.

These relate to what Moore describes as an established pattern of “landscape erasure” by Coolmore who, he claims, typically remove derelict buildings, internal hedges, trees and ditches and other landscape features when they buy land for tillage. “Everyone knows about this issue and people are really distressed by it” , he claims, “but are afraid to speak out given Coolmore’s power and their role as an employer in the area.” The 37 page Save Parkville Group's appeal document drew attention to a range of alleged failings in the local authority’s original decision to grant permission to demolish Parkville.

Primarily, they say that the decision ran directly counter to the recommendations of the Tipperary County Development Plan .
Dr Moore said the Council’s own internal report by its Conservation Officer failed to address the feasibility of restoration or adaptation of the farmyard buildings. The Group’s appeal document included in its Appendix two expert recommendations from a renovation stonemason and an architectural historian which both strongly endorsed the retention and restoration of Parkville.

The Save Parkville group who have previously written to John Magnier seeking a meeting to discuss the future of the farmyard are now hoping for an opportunity to share some of their ideas with him for the exciting possibilities presented by renovation and reuse of the prominent and iconic building. They are also drawing attention to the direct criticism by An Bord Pleanala of Tipperary County Council’s planning process.

The official letter from the Bord states that demolition of Parkville would “be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area”. The letter directly quotes the County Development plan which ‘provides for a presumption against demolition of vernacular buildings where restoration or adaptation is a feasible option.’

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The wording of the letter represents a serious rebuke to the local authority, says Moore and raises the question of how many other similar demolitions have been previously approved and how many other vernacular buildings may still be at risk if changes in policy and practice are not immediately applied.