Galway County Council has issued an Enforcement Notice to the developer of an estate in Bearna that has failed to comply with several conditions of planning permission.

The planning authority issued the notice to company secretary and director Gerard Barret, C/O Denalibrook Limited, The Alcantara Building, Bonham Quay, Dock Road, The Docks, Galway. It was also sent to Pat O’Sullivan, company director at the same address.

Planners said unauthorised development was taking place at Na Foraí Maola Thoir in Bearna – this related to non-compliance with conditions of planning permission for an unfinished estate, An Maolán.

Locals have been consistently highlighting the issue, including what they describe as the dangerous condition of The Paint Box Road.

In the enforcement letter, the Council outlined five areas of non-compliance with planning permission.

This related to requirements of landscaping being carried out prior to the occupation of houses; erecting nameplate prior to occupation of houses; public lighting to be provided prior to occupation of houses; and lodgement of a bond.

It also related to non-compliance with a condition that the developer would enter into an agreement with the Council for the purpose of securing lands to facilitate the corridor of the Bearna Inner Relief Road.

The road, as well as issues relating to the unfinished An Maolán estate, were the subject of a public meeting in October 2022 attended by approximately 100 locals in The Twelve Hotel.

The 48-unit housing estate – being developed by Denalibrook Ltd – is linked to the realignment and upgrade of the Paint Box Road, but the work has been delayed.

Denalibrook – owned jointly by Edward Capital, Galway, and Farcone Ltd in Dublin – previously said the road improvements had initially been delayed while they awaited approval from Galway County Council, while an ‘intervention’ from Irish Water had also held up the work.

The Council’s Enforcement Notice said the developer had four weeks from August 29 to comply with the conditions of planning.

Pictured: Fencing around the building site on Paint Box Road in Barna in 2022, when about 100 people attended a meeting on the issue.