Breaking News
Major Oranmore housing proposal refused over goose concerns
Galway Bay fm newsroom – A major housing development planned for Oranmore has been refused planning permission.
An Bord Pleanála has turned down the proposal by Arlum Limited for 212 homes at Moneyduff and Oranhill.
A portion of the planned development in Oranmore would have been designated as social housing.
There were also plans to build a creche at the site but local councillors previously said there was concern about the lack of amenities in the area and a new access road.
The planning application went straight to An Bord Pleanála, bypassing the county council, under new legislation for large-scale strategic housing developments.
The Board has refused to allow the 212 homes be built at Oranhill stating that it’s not satisfied that excluding nearby European protected sites from the Natura impact statement was appropriate.
This is due to the possible use of the development site by the Greenland White-fronted goose, which is a species of Special Conservation Interest for both SPAs.
Also An Bord Pleanála ruled that the Natura Impact Statement doesn’t consider the potential for effects on Special Conservation Interest bird species in the Inner Galway Bay SPA.
Therefore it refused permission for the homes in Oranmore stating that it would contravene the County Development Plan which aims to conserve and preserve European sites and species.
Galway Bay fm newsroom – Galway West TD Eamon O’ Cuiv is calling for a special fund to raise roads in remote coastal areas.
Speaking in the Dáil, he said some areas are impassable at high tide – and this problem is only going to get worse into the future.
He acknowledged some places along the coast are recognised as islands because it happens every day – but many other areas are not.
Deputy O’ Cuiv accepted some people think the required spend is too big when it concerns such a small number of people.
But he argued once the work is done, it’s done forever – and the value is there for what amounts to small money.
Galway Bay fm newsroom – Chief Fire Officer for Galway, Gerry O Malley has confirmed no residential damage was caused by last night’s gorse fire outside Galway city.
Fire services attended the scene of the fire at 4PM yesterday in an area of commanage between the townlands of Tonabrocky and Boleybeg.
A section of the Rahoon Road was closed to traffic for a time, and it’s understood services from the city, Athenry and An Ceathrú Rua attended the scene.
Speaking to Galway Talks, Chief Gerry O Malley gave an update of the situation:
Galway Bay fm newsroom – The Government’s lacklustre scheme to support landowners affected by Ash Dieback is damaging confidence in the sector.
Ash Dieback was first detected in 2012 – and in 2020, Government launched a scheme to support landowners to remove affected trees and replace them with another species.
But it doesn’t provide compensation for lost income – and many organisations argue it also doesn’t even cover the costing of clearing and replanting.
Sinn Fein Deputy Claire Kerrane says it’s vital that greater support is provided to ensure confidence in the sector.
And she welcomed a comment from Minister Pippa Hacket that she will look at reviewing the scheme this year.
O’ Cuiv calls for special fund to raise roads in remote coastal areas
Galway Chief Fire Officer confirms no residential damage caused by city gorse fire
Local TD says lacklustre Ash Dieback scheme damaging confidence in sector
University of Galway develops revolutionary approach to cancer vaccine design
OPW Minister to meet with South Galway Flood Relief Committee in Gort
East Galway farm sells for €1.3 million
Official opening of Galway’s new pedestrian and cycle bridge
OPW Minister to meet Council engineers on ‘flawed’ motorway design
Detached home in Knocknacarra has host of amenities nearby
Survey finds one in five retailers in Galway want to go fully cashless
