Planning permission upheld for extension of popular looped walk in Tipperary

Planning approval has been confirmed for an extension to a looped walking route in Tipperary after an appeal was considered by An Coimisiún Pleanála.

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Bord na Móna Energy had previously secured permission from Tipperary County Council to develop a shared recreational route for walkers and cyclists linking into the existing Loch Dhoire Bhile Loop close to Glengoole village.

The current Loch Dhoire Bhile Loop is a 2.4 kilometre circular walk laid out across former Bord na Móna lands, using bog roads and green tracks that run alongside streams and a lakeshore.

Under the approved plans, the extension will incorporate 602 metres of disused railway bed, 2,859 metres along bog headlands, and a further 721 metres of former machine access routes that will be adapted for pedestrian use.

Parking facilities for cars and bicycles will be provided at a number of access points, along with electric vehicle charging bays.

Works will also include improvements to the local access road serving the site, as well as the installation of directional and interpretative signage and new fencing.

The original grant of permission was appealed by local residents, including Tina Dollard, Hugh Rogers and John Ryan, who live close to the existing looped walk.

In their submission, the appellants raised concerns that the proposed level of parking was excessive, that insufficient consideration had been given to the impact on nearby homes, and that the development could result in increased traffic volumes.

Following its assessment, An Coimisiún Pleanála decided to uphold the permission, attaching ten conditions to the approval.

These include a reduction in the number of parking spaces, with one car park limited to eight spaces and the other to 14, as well as requirements for noise mitigation and privacy screening to safeguard residential amenity.

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