Plans for the €15m visitor centre at the Hellfire Club/Massys’s Wood have been put on hold until 7th February 2020, due to concerns from An Bord Pleanála over the adequacy of the project’s environmental assessments.
An Bord Pleanála is now seeking further information from the project’s lead architect Paul Keogh on the plans for the 12,000sq ft visitor centre. Check out complete response from the Bord here: https://savethehellfire.com/summary-oral-hearing
As part of its further information request, the Board has asked for additional bird surveys to be carried out to monitor for Merlin, a species located in the Wicklow Mountains Special Protection Area (SPA).
In its letter to Mr Keogh, the Board stated that it is “not satisfied” that the “limited” summer 2018 survey was adequate. The Board has requested an additional survey to be carried out “in optimal conditions to address these concerns”.
The Board also outlined its concern that the potential impact of an increase in visitor traffic on nearby designated protected nature areas was not adequately assessed.
The letter also states that the Board was not satisfied that adequate baseline ecological surveys and monitoring were carried out in relation to the potential impact of increased visitor numbers and elements of the proposed development in Massy’s Wood.
“[The Board] could therefore not be satisfied that there would be a significant negative impact on the ecology, biodiversity and flora and fauna of the area,” the letter reads.
As such, the Board has requested that the applicant undertakes additional surveys and monitoring under optimal conditions of vegetation, habitats, and protected species including bats and otter.
Additional monitoring is also required for freshwater invertebrates upstream and downstream of the surface water discharge point in Glendoo Brook, the Board said.
It is important we protect these wonderful amenities at the Hellfire & Massy’s Wood for future generations. We continue to need your help to maintain the natural integrity of this landscape and protect this natural amenity and fragile ecosystem from development.
We shall continue to fundraise during 2019.
Friday 15th February 2019
Cowboy & Western Night – Ballinteer St. Johns GAA Club
Kick off 8.00pm – 12.30am Tickets €10.00 (at the door)
Line Up: Rathfarnham Ukulele Group – Line Dancing – CC Cooper
Tuesday March 12th 2019
Michael Fewer talk about his latest book ‘The Battle of the Four Courts’
Buglers Ballyboden House, Ballyboden, Rathfarnham.
Time: 8.00pm
We thank you for your continued support!
Kindest Regards,
Grainne Corcoran
On behalf of Save the Hellfire Group
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SavetheHellfire
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SavetheHellfire/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/savethehellfire/
Website: www.savethehellfire.com
Petition: https://www.change.org/p/save-the-hellfire-massy-s-wood