South Cork TD Deirdre Clune has welcomed An Bord Pleanála decision to overturn planning permission for 140 new houses in Ballygarvan Village.

Ms Clune said the news would also be welcomed by local residents, who were opposed to the development.

An Bord Pleanála ruled the scheme was contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

The appeals body said the building of such a large estate would be premature until infrastructure projects such as the Ballygarvan Relief Road had been completed.

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An Bord Pleanála also refused planning on the basis of environmental concerns regarding the risk of pollution and ongoing study into the flood risk management in the Owenboy River catchment area which is yet to be completed.

Ms Clune said Ballygarvan Village, like many areas throughout the country over the last decade, had 'surpassed' the infrastructure in the area.

"The local primary school and road infrastructure have been pushed to breaking point to meet the demands of a population far in excess of that which they were built for," she claimed.

"It would have been short-sighted if An Bord Pleanála had continued to authorise the construction of houses in Ballygarvan Village without requiring that local infrastructure was first upgraded," said the TD.

"Many local communities are now suffering because of the planning mistakes of the past, when houses were built without proper infrastructure first being provided to cater for the increased population," added Ms Clune.

(PR/KMcA)