Woodlands Caravan Park has been in operator for 23 years. The main appeal of our park is its quiet rural setting located a few minutes walk from Tralee town centre. We are the owners of the land where the park is located and the land behind it.
The proposed road would split our land in half and prevent future expansion of our business.
The road would mean that our tranquil setting is spoiled and would detract from our business. Our park was designed 25 years ago and some pitches back right up onto the boundary of the park. As per Failte Ireland, there must be a minimum distance of at least 27.5 metres between a caravan and a public road. This would not be possible with the proposed road in its current location.
The noise pollution from the road during construction and when completed with cars, HGVs etc driving along it would be detrimental to our business and the environment.
The road would split the house built for staff accommodation from the park itself. This would present a problem as we would then have to develop a secure access with gates from the proposed road into the back of our caravan park which would again spoil the setting and would detract from the aesthetic of the park. Under Failte Ireland guidelines we should have a staff member onsite at all times and if you divide the house from the park by a public road, then we are no longer compliant with that rule.
Currently the land where the proposed road would go is used for forestry. Some of the beautiful mature trees planted are decades old and it would not be ecologically mindful to cut these trees down to build a road.
We have significantly invested in our business over the last 23 years. Our reputation in our industry for our wonderful location is well known. This road would have a substantial negative impact on our business and create serious safety and environmental concerns for us. During the busy summer months we have up to 140 families onsite at any one time, all who shop, eat and drink in Tralee and support many other local businesses. We have always had a close relationship with Kerry County Council and would ask for your support in removing this road from the county development plan.