Leitrim County Council can proceed with its plans for a water sports activities centre and car park at Acres Lake in Drumshanbo following a failed objection.
An Bord Pleanala has ruled that the Council does not need to prepare a special environmental report as part of its application for permission for the facility.
Leitrim County Council published details of a Part 8 planning application last October, seeking permission to develop a facility centre for water sports at Acres Lake in Drumshanbo as well as a 70 space car park and a pedestrian cross on the R207.
It received a submission from a woman, who suggested that the proposed development may have significant effects on the environment and that a special report would need to be required by the Council to meet planning requirements.
Concerns highlighted included the construction of the activities centre, the size of the car park, drainage of oil and fuel from the car park into the lake resulting in possible pollution and the impact of the entire development on local bird species.
Leitrim County Council issued detailed responses to the queries - indicating that various mitigation measures were contained in its ecological impact assessment report and overlal the project will have only a temporary impact on water quality and the loss of wet grassland habitats.
In its ruling Planning Inspectors also determined that the development would not be part of the built-up area of Drumshanbo town and that the EIA is not required under the objections outlined.
The decision means the project is expected to be sent forward or Part 8 approval in the coming months to local Councillors.
