Proposed housing development in Headford goes to An Bord Pleanála
THE refusal of a 28-unit housing estate in Headford has been appealed to An Bord Pleanála.
Galway County Council rejected planning permission last month for the residential development in the Cúl na Coirre area of the town, adjacent to Moyne Villa FC.
Hopeshire Limited, the construction company in charge of the development, appealed this decision to An Bord Pleanála earlier this month and a decision is due on May 22.
The residential development had been earmarked for a 2.3acre greenfield site, with plans to build 22 three-bedroom houses and six houses containing four bedrooms.
The planner’s report stated that the development would be in contravention of policies and objectives outlined in the Galway County Development Plan 2022-2028, as well as the EU Birds and Habitats Directive.
The report focused on five specific matters for refusing the planning application, concluding that the development would have a negative impact on the existing visual and residential amenities already in the area.
It raised concerns about the lack of connectivity measures – such as pedestrian infrastructure and cycling paths – with the surrounding area and Headford town. The report suggested that the development was a possible danger to public safety by way of traffic hazards.
The local authority planners also deemed that the potential effects on Lough Corrib presented by the 28-unit residential development had not been sufficiently examined, as a Natura Impact Statement (NIS) was not included with the planning application.
Two submissions were made on the planning application, from Uisce Éireann and Enviroplan Consulting Limited.
Solus Holdings submitted a planning application to Galway County Council last November to construct 65 residential units, on a site adjacent to the 28-unit Cúl na Coirre development, having previously been refused planning permission for the development by the local authority. A decision on their most recent planning application is due by the end of this month.
A €9.4million housing estate of 52 homes is also currently being built nearby in the Cúl na Coirre and Clós na hEaglais areas of Headford by Corestone Limited.