AMENDMENT TO BARNA PLAN MAY SET PRECEDENT FOR OTHER FLOOD PRONE AREAS

Date Published: 20-Dec-2012

Galway County Council has passed an amendment to the Barna local area plan.

The amendment allows for some flexibility when in comes to planning applications for sites partially zoned in flood risk areas.

Subject to flood risk assessments, applications for these sites may now be considered for development.

Director of services Kevin Kelly told today's meeting of Galway County Council that if a site is fully in a flood risk area, a planning application won't be considered.

There was lengthy debate on the amendment which also attracted criticism from some councillors.

However, when put to a vote, the amendment was passed by a majority with 22 for, 2 against and 2 abstentions.

The amendment was proposed by Councillor Peter Feeney who says he hopes it will create a precedent for other parts of the county.