Appeals Board approves 70 new homes in city
A housing development on the west side of the city can proceed, despite city planners refusing permission on the basis that it would impact on the route of the much-delayed outer bypass.
It was stated by city planners that part of the site at Mincloon, Clybaun Road would overlap onto one of the suggested routes of the outer bypass, but the developers amended the planning application by omitting three houses.
Kenny Developments successfully appealed the decision to An Bord Pleanála for the construction of just over 70 residential units – it includes a mix of houses and apartments on the six-acre site.
In July of last year, Galway City Council refused planning permission for the housing development on the grounds that the site was located within the current Emerging Preferred Route Corridor (EPRC) of the N6.
Planners said that the development was premature pending the detailed design of the outer bypass. They also said that it was premature pending the determination of both City Council and County Council – in conjunction with the National Roads Authority – of a strategic road layout for the area.
There were objections to the development from nearby residents, with the main issues relating to the impact it would have on residential and visual amenity.
Those opposed to it also said that it would have an adverse impact on the established rural character of the area while issues were raised about traffic safety and the ability of the junction at Rahoon Road and Clybaun Road to cater for the additional traffic.
When planning was refused, the developers appealed this decision to An Bord Pleanála on the grounds that only 0.2 of an acre of the land is affected by the proposed outer bypass route and therefore should not impact on the overall development.
They said that it overlaps a portion of the site where two semi-detached houses and one detached house is planned. They said that they would have no objection to a condition being attached which restricted development on this small portion of land until such time as the N6 project is complete.
“The decision to refuse permission is unjustified and excessive. It is a blank acceptance of the National Roads Authority assertion as to premature of development. It shows a lack of courage to deliver a fail planning decision,” it was stated in the appeal.
It was also said that it was unreasonable to defer such a development given that there was no chance of the outer bypass being provided anytime soon.
While an An Bord Pleanála inspector recommended a refusal of planning, the board decided not to accept this and indicated that they were satisfied with the amended plan which omits housing on the section that overlaps the proposed outer bypass route.