An Bord Pleanála has refused planning permission for a residential development of 55 houses and apartments on the north side of the city.
An appeal was lodged in June of last year against the city council’s approval for a housing estate to the east of the Ballymoneen Road, which would have the N6 Galway City Bypass to its south.
Galway Cycling Campaign appealed against the city council’s decision, saying that the land is not zoned properly, and that there is a lack of active travel options.
In response to their appeal O’Malley Construction, behind the application, stated that the land is zoned for residential use, and is within walking distance of public transport.
The planned housing was to comprise 25 houses in a mix of three bedroom, and mostly four bedroom homes, while the apartments will be located in two three-storey blocks at either end of the site.
One vacant two-storey house on the site was to be demolished to make way for the new estate.
The original plans were for 58 units, but the council ordered three houses omitted from the design as a condition of planning permission, to improve the residential amenity of the other homes.
Planning permission was refused by An Bord Pleanála on the grounds that, notwithstanding the zoning of the site, the estate would constitute a “piecemeal” development of the area, without proper infrastructure such as pedestrian links and social facilities.
The decision also stated that this area of local road is “substandard in width and alignment”, without pedestrian and cycling facilities, and would therefore pose a safety issue.
Concerns were also raised about the culverting of an open drain into the Barna Stream on the site, and what the Bord said was insufficient information included in the Natura Impact Statement.
