The Irish Times

Interior

An Bord Pleanála has refused planning permission for extensive alterations to the interior of St Colman's Cathedral in Cobh, Co Cork, because they would "adversely affect the character . . . of a protected structure of national importance". The board unanimously rejected a recommendation by the planning inspector who dealt with the appeal that the liturgical changes should be allowed, saying it disagreed with his interpretation of its role in determining such applications. By a majority of six votes to two, the board went on to overturn Cobh town council's decision to approve plans by the cathedral trustees to carry out a re-ordering of its interior to meet the liturgical requirements of the Second Vatican Council. One of the board members, Mary Bryan, absented herself because the Irish Georgian Society - of which she was formerly a senior official - was one of the appellants. Other appellants included An Taisce and the heritage division of the Department of the Environment. Welcoming the board's ruling yesterday as a "landmark decision in protecting Ireland's architectural heritage", a spokesman for An Taisce said it laid down a "significant marker for any future proposals for alterations to churches of all denominations".