A lack of capacity in the Annascaul Wastewater Treatment Plant has put paid to plans for a wellness centre in the village.
Paddywagon Ltd had applied for planning permission to build a wellness centre and new external courtyard at the back of Brackloon Hostel in Annascaul.
Kerry County Council has refused planning, citing the inadequacy of the public sewerage system in the area.
The development was set to consist of a new single-storey wellness centre, four prefab en-suite bedroom pods, and a new external courtyard.
Within the wellness centre, Paddywagon Ltd planned to include a relaxation area, hot pool, changing rooms and ancillary accommodation, while the external courtyard was to also contain a cold water therapy pool.
Inland Fisheries Ireland objected to the development as it would result in an increased overloading on the public sewer.
According to Uisce Éireann’s Wastewater Treatment Capacity Register, the Annascaul plant is in red status; meaning there is no spare capacity available at present.
IFI noted the current discharge is directly into the Owenascaul river, where large volume of sewage fungus has been identified directly downstream of the discharge point; IFI says it has brought this to the attention of Uisce Éireann a number of times.
Inland Fisheries Ireland says it had no objection to the development itself at the back of the hostel, but it objects to the increased overloading of the public sewer.
The council planner’s report said the proposal is considered acceptable in principle, but the plans are somewhat unclear, as was the management of the glamping pods, and mitigation plans for litter and waste.
The planner recommended a refusal of permission for one reason, relating to the inadequacies of the public sewerage system in the area.
The council decided the development would be premature pending the carrying out of capacity improvements to the wastewater treatment plant.
It was also noted that clarification would be required on a number of issues if the public sewage treatment capacity was not an issue.
