The Kerry County Council has once again denied permission for a counselling centre for victims of sexual abuse and rape, planned for Ross Road in Killarney. This is owing to concerns about the impact of artificial lighting on the lesser horseshoe bat’s commuting patterns. Moreover, the proposed location for the two-story centre, featuring four counselling rooms, is within a floodplain near Lake Leane.
The Kerry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre argued that the facility is indispensable for local and regional communities. They also added that its prospective location, adjacent to the Killarney National Park, would provide a serene and private space for victims and their families.
The Rape Crisis centre reportedly voiced its concern about apparent inconsistencies in planning decisions, considering other projects had been approved.
Despite the centre directors claiming the importance of the facility, its proposed location by a protected EU site, the national park, proved critical. The Department of Heritage underscored the necessity of preserving the efficiency and quality of the park’s edge (Reen) as a commuting and foraging area for the lesser horseshoe bat, a protected species.
The decision to refuse approval harmonises with the Kerry County Council’s verdict, as well as the Board’s Inspector’s recommendations. The Board cited lack of satisfaction concerning the proposed mitigation measures specific to the lighting setup, as per the planning application’s details. It highlighted the possibility of adverse impacts on significant sites and the flood-prone characteristic of the proposed location.
Over recent years, several proposed ventures in Killarney have been rejected due to concerns about the effects of artificial lighting on bat populations.