Setback for planned pastoral centre in Bushypark

Galway Bay fm newsroom – Plans for a pastoral centre in Bushypark have hit a significant setback. St. James Parish Council has sought to build the centre and effluent treatment plant at St. James Church and Cemetry on Ballagh Road. Proposed works include replacing front brick piers and rails with stonework planters, carpark layout revisions, and a public notice board sign. The project received the go-ahead in May subject to 12 conditions. However it is now subject to a third party appeal by a group of almost 30 members of the Bushypark community. The first appellant has raised concerns regarding its location, its design and appearance, effluent treatment and resulting traffic hazards. Another group of 27 members of the parish argue that there is no justifiable need for the development. The group also states that the proposed location, height and scale of the development would adversely affect the character of St James Church and Graveyard and could endanger public safety due to traffic hazards. An Bord Pleanála is due to make a decision on the case in October .