Go-ahead for Baysports plan as appeal is turned down

Plans for new facilities at the Baysports water park in Hodson Bay, Athlone, have received final approval after An Bord Pleanála this month turned down an appeal against the project.

The board's decision had initially been expected last June, but was ultimately delayed by ten months due to a backlog at the planning authority.

In a verdict that was signed off on April 11, the board granted planning permission for the Baysports development, but with revised conditions in place.

Baysports had lodged its initial planning application, for an expansion of its waterpark facilities, in February 2022. The application proved contentious and attracted almost 20 submissions on behalf of local residents and angling groups.

Roscommon County Council ultimately granted five-year planning permission in January 2023 for a revised project at the local tourist amenity.

The revised facilities approved by the council included a reception and viewing marquee, six changing marquees, a repositioned fence line, and a number of inflatable water-based attractions such as platforms, slides and climbing walls.

An appeal against the council's decision was lodged last year by Margaret Ducke, of Crannagh Beg, Drum Road, Athlone, while the Athlone Anglers Association also submitted an observation to the board raising concerns about certain aspects of the development.

An Board Pleanála inspector Stephen Rhys Thomas summarised Ms Ducke's appeal as stating that the development would negatively impact the archaeology and wildlife of Goose Island, and would affect reed beds in the area.

The appeal also said there was insufficient road and car parking infrastructure to support the development and said the single lane road that serves the Hodson Bay area was under strain.

However the planning inspector, who carried out a site inspection last August, recommended approval for the project subject to eleven conditions.

Subject to these conditions, Mr Rhys Thomas wrote, the development "would be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area and would not give rise to likely effects on the environment".

The conditions included that the planning permission would be for a five-year period and that all mitigation measures set out in a Natura Impact Statement submitted in 2022 would be implemented in full.

It was also stipulated that the works on site must be in compliance with Inland Fisheries Ireland's guidelines for construction works in and adjacent to waters.

In addition, Baysports was required to submit a Mobility Management Strategy that would "provide for incentives to encourage the use of public transport, cycling, walking and carpooling by staff employed in the development and to reduce and regulate the extent of staff parking".

The board added that this mobility strategy "shall include the provision of centralised facilities within the development for bicycle parking, shower and changing facilities associated with the policies set out in the strategy".

Baysports was also instructed to "facilitate the preservation, recording and protection of archaeological materials or features that may exist within the site" by employing an archaeologist to monitor all site investigations or excavation works.