THE developers behind a controversial scheme of holiday homes planned for the Co Clare resort town of Kilkee have strongly defended their plans against what they describe as "scare mongering" by local objectors.
Mr Brian Cusack and Mr Jack Kinnerk, both directors of Robinbury Ltd, said they were "dismayed by the misleading and inaccurate descriptions of the project" which had appeared recently in the local and national media.
In a letter circulated to local residents, they described the proposed 46 holiday homes on the cliffs outside the town as a "very high quality" development, designed to be sympathetic to Kilkee's Victorian architecture.
"Contrary to the impression given by the so called Kilkee Planning Review Group, this development is not located on the Cliff Walk, nor in the pitch and putt course and neither is it overlooking the Pollock Holes," they said.
The developers also insisted the scheme would not be "unacceptably high on the skyline". Another scheme of 60 holiday homes currently under construction on a site to the rear, in Castle Field, would be higher.
They said the "misguided" group opposing their scheme had been formed only in the last, month or so. "In our view, they have focused on this project simply because it was the first project to come to their attention.
The logical extension of their activities would be to object to a planning application for housing on the pitch and putt course or to another scheme to erect more mobile homes in an existing mobile home park in Kilkee.
The developers also queried whether the group would also object to a plan, currently being considered, to replace the "horrendous eyesore" of the Atlantic Hotel with a less obtrusive hotel and holiday homes on its site.
They disputed the objectors contention that Kilkee's sewerage system had not been updated since Victorian times. "In fact, the system has been extensively upgraded since then and is normal for a town of this scale in Ireland."
Although Mr Cusack and Mr Kinnerk said they recognised the "genuine concerns that people may have regarding the scale and extent of development now happening in Kilkee", their scheme would make a "positive contribution".
The developers' letter also noted that the Kilkee Kilrush area had one of the highest levels of unemployment and emigration in the west of Ireland. Its best hope, lay in the promotion of quality tourism and extending the tourist season.
"We believe that what are perceived to be empty holiday homes should not be seen as a negative issue, but as a valuable asset to the town that can be used to extend the season to a degree currently achieved in other resorts."
As the Robinbury scheme represents a "material contravention" of the county development plan, it will require the support of three quarters of the 31 members of the County Council. The vote is due to be taken on Monday.
