Plans for an international scale tourism and leisure complex near Newtownmountkennedy, Co Wicklow, could contribute to the creation of a "Red Cow situation" at the junction of the N11 and the M50, according to An Taisce.
Norpark Investments Ltd is planning a major "summer sun and winter snow" leisure facility at Ballinahinch Lower, with access from the N11.
The company is proposing a 184-bedroom hotel, bars, restaurants and function rooms, 23 apartments and an 18-hole executive golf course. The ambitious scheme also proposes a health and leisure academy, an interpretative and education centre, car and coach parking, reservoirs for drinking water, an amenity lake, sewage treatment plant, extensive landscaping and roads infrastructure.
An Taisce has appealed Wicklow County Council's decision to approve the scheme because of the lack of direct rail or other major public transport access to the site.
It also says there are "inadequate" traffic management measures being proposed by the developers. "We recognise and support the argument for major tourism and leisure development provided under the National Development Plan and, in particular, the desirability of all-weather all year round family visitor attractions, both for day trip visitors and overnight stay," it said. But the proposed site, in a green belt area under the Greater Dublin Area Strategic Planning Guidelines (SPGs), was "not an appropriate location for such a development in view of the lack of public transport accessibility", An Taisce said in a submission to An Bord Pleanála.
"While we consider that the site would be suitable for hotel, golf course and other leisure development, we do not consider that it is a suitable location for a major, indeed international scale, tourism and leisure facility of the type proposed," according to the trust. It said none of the relevant development plans for the Greater Dublin Area, including the Wicklow county plan, the SPGs and the Dublin Transportation Office Platform for Change policy had identified any location for a tourism and leisure facility on the scale proposed.
"This proposal will exacerbate what is a mounting traffic congestion problem facing the Greater Dublin Area," it said.
An Taisce queried the addition traffic generated by an "international scale tourism and leisure development", warning that the combined effect with the existing congestion could "lead to the creation of a Red Cow situation at the junction of the N11 and M50," within 10 years.
Though bus connections to the site would be provided from Bray and other nearby railway stations, An Taisce complained that the "mobility management plan" proposed by the developers did not form part of the planning application or environmental impact statement.
None of Norpark's directors, Mr Tim Rowe, of Laragh, Co Wicklow; Mr William Burke, of Ballinahinch Lower, Co Wicklow, and Mr Hugh McGill, of Rathgar, Dublin, could be contacted yesterday to comment.
Their planning consultant Mr Simon Clear was also unavailable.
