Milestones

Sligo Airport Quest for Planning Permission

A Summary of the Key Milestones

January ’07
Sligo Airport applies for planning permission to extend their runway by some 270 meters on to Dorrins Strand.

January ’07
Arising from a public meeting in Strandhill National School, Dorrins and Cummeen Strand Conservation Group (DCCG) is formed.

March ’07
Seventy-five local people make written objections to the Sligo Co Co Planning Department against the building on Dorrins Strand.

March ’07
Sligo Co Co writes to Sligo Airport requesting a substantial quantity of further information.

September ’07
Sligo Airport submits the further information. It is a substantial document but short on critical facts

October ’07
Sligo Co Co Planning Department write to Sligo Airport seeking further clarification; essentially saying the further information supplied was incomplete.

August ’08
The Airport suddenly and unexpectedly withdraws their planning application on 7th August

August ’08
On the following day – 8th August ’08, The Airport submits a fresh application for the same proposal except that on this occasion the runway extension has grown from 270 meters long to 285 meters

August ’08
At a cost of €20 per person, 225 people take the time to write out their objections to the proposal and submit them to Sligo Co Co Planning Department.

September ’08
Despite the fact that this was their third attempt, Sligo Airport was still unable to get it right. Sligo Co Co writes to The Airport to seek substantial further information.

March ’09
Sligo Airport are unable to meet the deadline for submitting the further information and request a three month extension.

June ’09
Nine months later Sligo Airport manage to respond to the request for further information.

July ‘09
During July ‘09 a further 96 written objections were received by Sligo Co Co outlining reasons to not grant planning permission. This brings to well over 300 written objections made against this project

14 August ’09
Sligo Co Co grant planning permission to the Airport to construct a 285 meter long runway extension on Dorrins Strand

11 September ‘09

Dorrins & Cummeen Strand Conservation Group (DCCG) filed an appeal to An Bord Pleanala against Sligo Co Co’s decision.  Five other organisations including Dept of Environment, An Taisce and Birdwatch Ireland also filed appeals to An Bord Pleanala

November ‘09

An Bord Pleanala decides to hold an oral hearing to decide the case.  No date set for the oral hearing as yet