Large Galway housing development refused for third time
A third planning application for a large home development in Briarhill has been refused by Galway County Council planning offices.
In 2019, an application was put forward by Martin Coyne to build 43 houses on a 2.26 hectares site by Briarhill National School off the R339 but faced a refusal as the lands were not zoned for a development of this kind.
In addition, the planning office was not satisfied by the content of submissions facing scrutiny over building types and layout.
Then again in 2020, a similar application was put forward and denied for similar reasons. Mr Coyne appealed the decision with An Coimisiún Pleanála, who decided to refuse the plans in July 2021.
Five years later, Mr Coyne has faced another refusal for 58 homes on that same site. Plans consisted of 28 two and three-story houses and 30 apartments in three duplex style building blocks, with each home containing one to five bedrooms.
Amenity provisions were also reflected in the plans including playgrounds, private and open spaces, carparking as well as EV charging stations.
The development also included alterations to the existing regional Monivea Road.
While planners saw the land fit for a larger development, further information was requested pertaining to road works on the R339. The applicant was asked to re-design the roadworks with the addition of a crosswalk and a “school zone” on the 50kmh road, and to submit the revised site layout plans.
Ultimately, the refusal surrounded a failure to comply with the county development plans as well as the Briarhill Urban Framework, which outlines objectives for development in the area.
In addition, the refusal states the proposal is not in line with sustainable transportation and movement plans in metropolitan Galway, after the R339 revisions were considered.
A submission was made by An Taisce stating inadequate and deficient wastewater infrastructure for the area, as well as appropriate car parking.
A total of 97 car parking spaces were reflected in the plans which is above the 1.5 spaces per unit detailed in the County Development Plan.
“An Taisce submits that such a high provision for car parking will result in a car-dependent development and will add to traffic congestion,” the submission read.
Briarhill National School said the installation of wastewater infrastructure tied to the development would “have several significant benefits for the school” and would free up school grounds by being connected to the public water system.
The applicant has until April 17 to appeal Galway County Council’s decision.