800 sign petition against Salthill/Knocknacarra's plans
Nearly 800 people have signed a petition against plans by Salthill/Knocknacarra GAA Club to develop new home for the club on lands at Rahoon, which was refused permission by planners this week.
The club had sought permission for a €1.3 million development on 12.5 acres of land in the townlands of Keeraun and Mincloon.
The plans included an all-weather pitch, a grass pitch and a new clubhouse with changing rooms and toilets. The grounds were to be accessed from the link road between Clybaun and Bushypark Road.
A club meeting heard the new development is for the youth of the community and that the club fields in excess of 50 teams per week between football, hurling, camogie and ladies football.
However, there were five objections to the application, including a lengthy submission from Rahoon-Newcastle GAA Club – which was signed by 787 people.
Objectors said the plans would not meet City Development plan standards, and that more suitable sites are available within the Knocknacarra area.
Concerns were also expressed that the site is inaccessible and in an unsafe location because of the high volumes of traffic on the narrow road network where two cars cannot pass – the ‘local count’ is 34 crashes since 2001 at the Clybaun junction.
They said there is no need for further pitches, as the area is already well catered for, and the development may lead to floodlights being erected.
It was also claimed the development would have a serious impact on natural heritage because of its proximity to a candidate Special Area of Conservation, and there would be significant rock-breaking due to the presence of granite.
While the planning application states the applicant is the owner of the lands, one objector claims the site is actually controlled by NAMA.
City planners rejected the application on the grounds it would be a traffic hazard, and because it falls within route options for the new bypass.
For more on this story, see this week’s Galway City Tribune