A proposal for three one-bedroom self-catering glamping units near Lecarrow, County Roscommon, has been appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanála after Roscommon County Council rejected the application.
The appeal was lodged by Martina Conway on July 27, 2026, and seeks to overturn the council’s decision on a proposed tourism accommodation development. The plans also include a change of use for an existing stone building, which would be used to provide storage for eight bicycles and a passenger golf cart.
Roscommon County Council rejected the original application on several grounds, including concerns over the suitability of the proposed location, potential traffic impacts, and the safe disposal of wastewater. The application also received submissions from local residents, with objections raising issues including potential noise and flood risks.
As part of the appeal, three Natura Impact Statements (NIS) have been submitted to An Coimisiún Pleanála. The most recent statement was prepared by Whitehill Environmental and published in early May.
The NIS examined the potential effects of the proposed development on nearby designated habitats and addressed issues including habitat protection, pollution control and lighting. It also identified mitigation measures intended to reduce potential environmental impacts associated with the development, according to the Roscommon Herald.
With those measures implemented, the latest NIS concluded: “The proposed works do not have the potential to significantly affect the conservation objectives or qualifying interests of the Lough Ree SAC and SPA. The integrity of these sites will not be adversely affected.”
The environmental assessment is relevant to the appeal process because the proposed accommodation would be developed in an area where potential effects on protected habitats and species must be considered as part of the planning assessment.
The inclusion of mitigation measures in the NIS provides the planning authority with additional information when considering whether the development could affect designated sites.
For outdoor hospitality operators, the case highlights several planning considerations that can arise when developing small-scale accommodation in rural locations. While glamping projects can involve relatively few accommodation units, proposals may still require assessment of access, traffic, wastewater infrastructure, environmental designations, flood risk and the potential impact on neighboring properties.
The appeal also demonstrates the importance of addressing environmental and infrastructure concerns during the planning process.
For operators considering similar projects, early assessment of wastewater capacity, site access, flood exposure and nearby protected areas can help identify potential constraints before an application is submitted.
Submissions on the appeal are open for four weeks from the date it was lodged on July 27. The final decision will rest with An Coimisiún Pleanála following its consideration of the appeal and the issues raised during the planning process.