Sugar Loaf Recreation Spot Refused

Back when Calary was kicking… Pic: Harry Acheson

t was once a handy filling station for those taking on the Sugar Loaf, and later, a tidy little tea room courtesy of that Chantal Fortune lass.

And now, the latest attempt by Michael Fortune to bring this Wicklow beauty spot back to commercial life has been given the thumbs down by Wicklow Planning.

You certainly can’t fault young Michael for trying, having applied to open a tea room there in December 2005 and in September 2006, even though both applications were later withdrawn. Managing to get conditional approval in June 2007, Michael let that one slip beyond it’s build-by date, and then decided to think bigger for his latest planning application.

Filed last November, Michael’s cunning Calary plan reads…

On an unused existing commercial site for three No. hot food and beverage food trailers serving food and beverages for consumption on site, toilet block catering for all users with connection to existing approved waste water treatment unit on site, secure children’s play area with picnic benches and picnic pods. New entrance in lieu of existing entrance to main road, secure fencing to perimeter, signage, car and coach parking, gravel surfacing to parking area, and associated works.

But the man from Wicklow Planning said no, citing the need to preserve the natural character and scenic value of the area. On top of that, such works, they argued, would disturb the local wildlife.

They also stated that the Sugar Loaf’s status as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty protects it from certain developments deemed intrusive upon said natural beauty.

You can check out application number 23873 over on the Wicklow Planning site here. And check out Calary’s short-lived 2017 resurrection here.