Plans for Ireland's first "eco-village" are in disarray, following objections from the Co Tipperary owners of the land on which the project is to be sited.
The Department of Environment has also expressed concerns about aspects of the plan to create a full-fledged sustainable community near the village of Cloughjordan.
North Tipperary County Council has now asked Sustainable Projects Ireland Ltd, the promoters of the plan, to supply further details about the project.
However, Mr Johnny Connolly, a spokesman for the company, said yesterday it was unable to gain access to the land to carry out the hydrological, archaeological and architectural surveys requested by the council.
Mr Connolly added that, although the owners of the land, Peter and Sarah Baker of Cloughjordan House, were refusing access, he expected this problem would be resolved shortly. "It's not a crisis, just a bit of a stumbling block. This misunderstanding can be sorted out."
The Bakers support the concept of an eco-village but say in their submission to the council that they were led to believe there would be only 60 residential units in the village, whereas the planning application looks for over 100. They also say the planned village would threaten and even obliterate archaeological sites, including earthworks, a moated site, a tower house and a possible fulacht fia (ancient cooking place).
However, Mr Connolly said the residential component of the scheme was in line with that proposed during the consultation process. Nothing would be done to harm any archaeological remains as this would be contrary to the ethos of the project.
Mr Baker could not be contacted for comment yesterday.
In its submission, the Development Applications Unit of the Department of Environment queries plans to demolish a derelict three-storey pub, The Lime Tree, on Cloughjordan's main street to provide access to the new village.
The department says it would be a mistake to demolish the pub, which was earmarked for inclusion in the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. It also wants the council to prepare an archaeological impact assessment of the area.
Mr Connolly said the promoters always intended to carry out the work required by the council, but for financial reasons this had been left until after the outline planning application was submitted.
This application seeks to build 132 new homes, including apartments in three-storey buildings, terraced housing and detached and semi-detached houses.
The idea was first mooted in 1999, but it took several years to find a suitable site in Co Tipperary, where the council has rezoned 25 acres for a "sustainable extension" to Cloughjordan. The remaining 50 acres on the site would consist of a farm and a woodland area.
The proposed houses would use solar energy for heating, be equipped with a natural wetland waste water treatment system and pedestrians would take precedence over cars.
