Planning permission for four glamping pods near the Coastguard Cottages in Killough, County Down, is set to be quashed following a High Court ruling. Newry, Mourne and Down District Council conceded that its approval of the development, granted in July 2025, was legally flawed.
The legal challenge was brought by Irish News journalist John Manley, who owns one of the cottages on Shore Road and acted as a personal litigant with support from other local residents. Mr Manley initiated judicial review proceedings after the Council approved the construction of the pods without conducting proper environmental screening in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Additional grounds of challenge cited by Mr Manley sought to establish the Council’s decision as unlawful. The Council subsequently accepted two legal errors: a breach of its duty to carry out an Environmental Impact Assessment and a failure to properly consider a planning policy statement related to the protection of tourism assets.
In court, Mr Justice McAlinden agreed to quash the planning permission. The Council is now required to redetermine the application in compliance with the relevant legislation. Mr Manley was also awarded his legal costs.
Speaking after the hearing, Mr Manley described the ruling as a “sensible outcome.” He added: “The fact that Newry, Mourne and Down Council conceded before this went to court shows they didn’t have a leg to stand on.”
”Failure to consider the appropriate planning policy or conduct an environmental impact assessment in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty for a proposed development within yards of an Area of Special Scientific Interest was a rudimentary oversight, and one that raises serious questions about the robustness of our planning system.”
According to The Irish News, he also noted, “That this application was ever recommended by a planning officer for approval beggars belief.”
The case underscores the importance for outdoor hospitality operators and planners to ensure full compliance with environmental and tourism-related policies when proposing developments, particularly in sensitive coastal or protected areas.
Developers and site managers may benefit from early engagement with planning authorities to avoid delays and legal challenges that could affect project timelines and investment decisions.