Tayto Park's rollercoaster plans in jeopardy as locals object again

Boss Raymond Coyle insisted screams will be ‘drowned out’

Gordon Deegan

Plans by Tayto Park to have its planned €15.5m 'Coaster 2021' project up and running next year have suffered a major setback after local residents objected again to the plans.

The two residents, who successfully blocked businessman Raymond Coyle's plans last year, lodged another objection with Meath County Council.

Donal Greene and Clare Smith have lodged their objection despite Mr Coyle claiming that the screams by passengers on the planned new rollercoaster would not impact on nearby residents.

The new rollercoaster comes with specific measures aimed at eliminating any noise impacts for locals living nearby.

"There will be screams, but they will be drowned out," Mr Coyle said last month.

Last July, An Bord Pleanala turned down planning permission for Mr Coyle's previous rollercoaster plan, mainly due to noise impacts from passengers' screams on residents.

The new 'Coaster 2021' project is made up of a 31m-high and 748m-long "suspended thrill coaster" and a 24.2m-high, 238m-long "family boomerang" ride.

Planning documentation states that if the rollercoaster does not go ahead, "the longer-term viability of the park would be brought into question".

The new plan contains 14 separate noise reduction measures drawn up by Dutch rollercoaster maker Vekoma, which has made rollercoasters across the world, including Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain for Disney.

Now, Mr Greene and Ms Smith have told the council that the planned rollercoaster "will have a serious negative long-term impact on our peaceful enjoyment of our home and the protection of the natural environment".

The objection now sets up the prospect of the application going before An Bord Pleanala if Meath County Council does grant the project planning permission.

Last year, Mr Greene and Ms Smith appealed against the decision to grant permission, along with two other residents, and the appeals process took four months before the application was refused.

Disappointed

Even if the project secures planning permission this summer, any decision to appeal ends the prospect of 'Coaster 2021' becoming operational in 2021, as the rollercoaster will take a year to construct and six months to erect on site.

Mr Coyle would only say yesterday that he was "disappointed" over the objection lodged.

Mr Coyle had met with the objectors to the original plan, including Mr Greene, and showed the new plan that includes the noise reduction measures.

A decision is due on the application later this month by Meath County Council.

Pre-tax profits at Tayto Park declined by 7pc to €3.37m in 2018, in spite of a 6pc increase in revenues to €18.7m.