An Bord Pleanála has refused planning permission for a €14m steel rollercoaster for Tayto Park as it would be too noisy for nearby residents.

In a hammer blow to expansion plans at Ireland’s largest theme park, the appeals board has refused planning permission for Coaster 2021 in response to objections by four residents. Meath County Council gave the plan the go-ahead in February.

However, local residents Jeremy Butcher, Suzanne Galwey, Donal Greene and Clare Smith appealed the decision to An Bord Pleanála.

In their joint appeal, they claimed that the anticipated screaming from passengers on Coaster 2021 would increase noise disturbance in the area.

Their homes are located 430 metres to the north of the Tayto Park site and 480 metres to the north-east of the theme park.

In its ruling, the appeals board refused planning, citing noise impact on the residents from Coaster 2021 as the primary ground for refusal.

Its inspector visited the site on June 7 and noted the “rattling” and “screaming” from the park’s existing rollercoaster, Cú Chulainn.

The refusal is a major blow to the future expansion of Tayto Park.

Planning documents lodged with the application said that if park operators did not add a major attraction at this time, “the longer term viability of the park would be brought into question”.

Park management yesterday said they were “very disappointed” at the verdict.

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