An Taisce in Kerry has welcomed the decision by An Bord Pleanála to reject a proposal by Kerry County Council for a caravan park on Rossbeigh strand, a designated conservation area and a blue flag beach.
About 40 submissions, the majority opposed to the plans, were received by the planning appeals body.
An Taisce had come out strongly against the proposal, warning against further degradation of the spit. The Department of the Environment had also raised questions about the suitability of a caravan park in such a protected area.
However, the Kerry South TD Jackie Healy-Rae, along with his sons, Michael Healy-Rae, mayor of Kerry, and county councillor Danny Healy-Rae, had made submissions supporting the proposal.
Yesterday the TD said there had been an outcry when the council closed the existing caravan park last year and the application should have been approved to facilitate families who had used the caravan park in Rossbeigh for 40 years.
It was very difficult to see what could be done now, but other sites would have to be considered, he said.
The plans by the council were drawn up after it was last year forced to close the existing rudimentary structure, which had basic toilet and water facilities. This was used mainly by families from Killarney and east Kerry over a number of generations.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) had several times warned the council to close the facility to ensure compliance with EU directives on habitats and conservation areas.
Before closing the facility last year, then county manager Martin Riordan said there was a clear threat of legal action from the NPWS if the park remained open, and plans for a new park would have to be drawn up.
However, An Bord Pleanála rejected the new proposal for a 30-berth facility at the southern end of the spit.
It said it had had regard to the spit's various designations as a special area of conservation and natural heritage area, as well as its international importance as a habitat for wild birds.
The board also said there would be significant negative impact on the site, particularly on the sensitive dunes which would be subject to "trampling", which in turn would increase erosion.
The council is studying the board's decision.