An Bord Pleanala has refused planning permission for an “iconic” €14 million steel roller coaster for Tayto Park.
The appeals board claimed the operation of the ride would be too noisy for nearby residents.
In a hammer blow to expansion plans at Ireland’s largest theme park, plans for Coaster 2021 were turned down in response to objections by four residents.
Meath County Council gave the plan the go-ahead in February.
However, local residents, Jeremy Butcher and Suzanne Galwey along with Donal Greene and Clare Smith appealed the decision to An Bord Pleanala.
As part of her on-site visit on June 7, the inspector noted the “rattling” and screaming” sounds from the park’s existing Cu Chulainn roller coaster.
The appeals board also refused planning after stating that it was not satisfied that the proposed development would not be at the risk of flooding.
Coaster 2021 was to be one metre lower than the park’s 32m high Cu Chulainn and be 972m in length.
The decision represents a major blow to the future prospects of Tayto Park.
Planning documents lodged with the application state if the Tayto Park operators do not add a major attraction at this time “the longer term viability of the park would be brought into question”.
Speaking last November, owner Ray Coyle said the new roller-coaster “will copper-fasten the future of Tayto Park”.
He said: “The new roller-coaster will be two roller-coasters in one. It will be a first for Europe and ensure the future of the park. If you don’t create something landmark every three of four years, your numbers will start going down and that is the road to closure.”
Mr Coyle has been contacted for comment on the decision.
