Bid to stop plans for city place of worship unsuccessful

Galway Bay fm newsroom – Bid to stop plans for a house of worship opening in the city have been unsuccessful.
The City Council had granted planning permission to the Covenant Christian Fellowship to change a unit at Seán Mulvoy Park into a centre for worship and educational use.
However, the Management Company of Seán Mulvoy Business Park appealed that decision.
The management company argued that the area is zoned commercial and not for cultural use.
It also argued in the appeal that the hours of opening would be difficult to police and that the centre for worship could end up being used for weddings and christenings.
Despite these concerns, An Bord Pleanála says that the change of use of the unit from office and restaurant use to worship and community use would be appropriate.
The Board says it can be changed provided the Covenant Christian Fellowship adheres to 6 planning conditions.
One condition states that the permission is for 5 years only and the centre at Seán Mulvoy commercial park can’t be used for events involving more than 20 people between 8am and 6pm Monday to Saturday.