A caravan park and campsite in Limerick is facing imminent closure after operating without proper planning permission, leaving its owner, Jason Carmody, in a difficult position. Carmody, who chairs the Irish Motorhome Working Group, has invested significantly in the Limerick Campsite and Aire, located just outside Feenagh in West Limerick. The facility, which opened earlier this year, offers space for seven motorhomes and three “glamping pods.”
According to an article by limerick live, Carmody’s predicament stems from his initial oversight in seeking retention planning before developing and opening the park. He explained, “I put hardcore stone and gravel in, and I didn’t think this needed planning permission. It is on my own land, and I didn’t think a change of use from agricultural to commercial was needed just to park vans.” This misconception led to complications with local authorities.
Upon realizing the necessity for official approval, Carmody applied for retention permission to maintain his business operations. However, the local council denied his application last week, forcing him to announce the closure of the facility effective September 1. The decision has had immediate repercussions, with Carmody reporting the cancellation of 70 reservations between September and Christmas.
The financial impact on Carmody has been substantial. “I have put around €100,000 of my own personal money into that site to date. I pay my tax, I pay VAT. But my heart is gone out of this completely. I’ve nothing left other than to close down,” he lamented. This situation underscores the risks involved in developing land without proper permissions and the potential consequences for entrepreneurs in the tourism sector.
Local residents have raised concerns about the campsite’s operation, citing increased noise, traffic, and littering in the area. One resident reported they had “experienced an increase in noise, traffic and littering” and alleged instances of dog fouling. Another resident expressed worry about the lack of public water supply and potential impact on recently reintroduced breeding buzzards, stating, “The concern that the site was developed in the absence of any planning or authority oversight is a serious worry and there is genuine concern for the impact and potential safety of the neighbouring community due to its lack of oversight.”
Despite these concerns, Carmody argues that his campsite has brought economic benefits to the region. He shared an anecdote: “I was only speaking with a few people the other day, and they were saying, they went to Newcastle West and spent money buying food in the local shops, they went to a restaurant in Abbeyfeale and they stopped off on the way home at the social farm in Kilmeedy. That’s exactly why we are here.”
Councillor Liam Galvin has voiced support for Carmody’s endeavor, recognizing the need for such facilities in the county. Galvin stated, “In my opinion, these parks are badly needed throughout our county. We have an applicant trying to solve a problem that council can’t solve as we do not have the wherewithal to provide these caravan park sites. It just beggars belief.”
The local council’s decision to refuse planning permission was based on the site’s non-compliance with the local development plan, which governs land use and development in the area. Additionally, concerns were raised about the treatment of effluent from the site, underlining the importance of environmental considerations in planning decisions.
Carmody believes that the lack of facilities for motorhome drivers is causing Ireland to miss out on significant tourism revenue. He asserted, “We are turning people away at our borders because they know when they come here, they’ve nowhere to park.” This situation points to a larger issue of infrastructure gaps in Ireland’s tourism sector, particularly for motorhome and caravan travelers.
The closure of the Limerick Campsite and Aire raises questions about the balance between encouraging tourism development and adhering to planning regulations. It also highlights the challenges faced by entrepreneurs in the tourism sector when navigating local planning processes and community concerns. As the September 1 closure date approaches, the case serves as a cautionary tale for aspiring campground owners and a call to action for policymakers to address the shortage of motorhome facilities in Ireland.
