People "aiming" golf balls at Laois house where 99 roof tiles, windows and Mercedes damaged

An objector to a golf resort development said he witnessed people aiming golf balls at his house outlined damage was caused to three windows,  99 roof tiles, and a Mercedes windscreen. 

The claim was made by one of four people who lodged submissions with Laois County Council in relation to a proposed development by Midabey Construction Ltd at The Heritage Golf Resort in Killenard.

The developer had applied to Laois County Council for planning permission to change the use of a building which housed a driving range and golf academy into five golf suites. They also sought  "alterations to the existing driving range and golf academy to allow for the following: • Provision of a café / licence bar and seating areas including internal refurbishment and alterations within previous reception area.”

Midabey Construction Ltd  also wanted permission for the “construction of a single storey extension to accommodate Trackman golf simulators to aid training and practice for golfers. 3. For the construction of a new single storey Trackman driving range shelter adjacent to existing building which shall accommodate 10 bays.”

Ian Wilson who lives at Carriglea, Killenard stated that the owners of the driving range are  “continually” paying for repairs to his property. He said he has collected hundreds of golf balls in his garden and neighbouring properties collect them too.

“There has been damage to the roof, with ninety-nine tiles replaced courtesy of the driving range,” he stated. He said the range paid for a smashed windscreen of a Mercedes car.

"The driving range is not manned full time, and we have seen people on the range aiming at the house," he stated. 

“This year in the summer we had to remove the external balcony because the balls damaged the tiles, causing water leaks into the structure. We decided to remove the balcony as we could see no way to avoid the balls coming over,” he stated.  

Mr Wilson said attempts to fence off the property by the driving range owner failed resulting in damage to his fence which he said they hadn’t yet replaced due to financial constraints 

“Now, they are undertaking a development that must have a cost but cannot take care of issues like replacing the fence and my trees,” he stated. 

Another Killenard resident, Pat O’Brien, questioned the zoning of the land and whether it permitted residential developments. 

Margaret Lynch of Carriglea, Killenard, questioned the proposal for a bar and expressed concern over potential noise pollution.

“In the event of anti-social behaviour or other emergency event the closest Garda station is in Portarlington. It is already difficult to get Gardai to attend on site in the village when required. Telephone calls are often directed to Portlaoise Garda station. The potential noise disruption to the rows of houses at Carriglea (mine being is the closest) and Rathmiles Grove from a bar is unacceptable,”  she stated. 

Ms Lynch also queried the zoning of the site and whether or not the water and wastewater systems would have capacity for the development. She also questioned the intention of the developer as regards the use of the accommodation.

Another submission was made by another Carriglea resident, Adrian Dollard. He was concerned about the impact of the development on privacy for the residents. He too queried the planning for a bar. “There are already three licenced bars in Killenard which is more than sufficient for a small village like Killenard,” he stated. 

Laois County Council sought further information from the developer following the submissions. In response, the developer said the accommodation would be used as short term let by tourists, golfers, diners and other visitors. The bar/cafe would be for use by driving range patrons and their guests. 

A consultant on behalf of Midabey Construction Ltd said: “One of the primary reasons for relocating the driving range is to mitigate the risk of golf balls hitting residences along the northern boundary.”

They stated that the driving range was fully staffed and managed during operating hours but cannot be monitored 24 hours a day.  “The applicant has assured us that CCTV cameras will be installed for after-hours security,” they stated. 

They said the accommodation would be used by visitors on self catering stays and they pointed out that there are two bars in Killenard.

“We believe that this proposal represents an enhancement of an existing commercial business, rather than a new development. The applicants are seeking to improve their current facilities and services,” they stated.

In light of the response, the council planner concluded that: “The proposed development is located in an area where the stated zoning in the Laois County Development Plan 2021-2027, is Open Space / Amenity, the objective of which is to preserve, provide for and improve active and passive recreational public and private open space. The proposal for general purpose short-term let dwellings / apartments, café and bar that are open to the general public and that are not for the sole purpose of supporting the driving range facility cannot be regarded as a broadening and expansion of the driving range use and, therefore, would be contrary to the zoning objective for the site.”

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Laois County Council refused the plans on June 5. They stated that “the proposed development would be contrary to the provisions of the Laois County Development Plan 2021-2027 and the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.”