Helicopter landing pad could halt Lidl’s plans for Westside
From this week's Galway City Tribune - The HSE has raised concerns about the effects of a proposed new Lidl supermarket in the Westside on flight operations to and from the nearby helicopter landing pad behind University Hospital Galway.
The health authority told Galway City Council that construction sites “pose a significant threat to helicopter operations”, asking that tower cranes not be used at the site and to consider the dangers which glare from proposed solar panels could cause for pilots.
Last year, the German chain sought permission to build a €3 million supermarket on the site of the former Arch Motors showroom and carpark.
The adjoining Monaghan’s filling station and shop will remain in situ and are not affected by the plans.
According to Lidl, the new supermarket would create between 40 and 50 jobs in construction and up to 25 full-time jobs when operational.
However, the HSE has raised concerns in relation to the “safeguarding of operation of air ambulance activities”, which is located close to the site.
They point out that hospital provides 24/7 critical care and that in 2018, 49% of all medical helicopter missions in Ireland landed at UHG.
The health authority said that construction sites pose a significant threat to helicopter operations; that tower cranes not be used and mobile cranes or other temporary structures be managed by the use of aircraft warning lights and that the HSE, the Air Corps and the Irish Coast Guard be notified about the presence of such machinery or structures. This is a preview only. To read the rest of this article and an update on Lidl's troubled plans for its site in Knocknacarra, see this week's Galway City Tribune. Buy a digital edition of this week's paper here.