Breaking News
Final approval for multi-million mixed-use development in Knocknacarra
Galway Bay fm newsroom – Plans for a multi-million euro development on the west side of the city have been approved.
Ardstone Homes has been granted planning permission by An Bord Pleanála to build 91 houses, apartments and retail units at the junction of Western Distributor Road in Knocknacarra.
The plans were initially approved by the city council but that decision had been appealed to An Bord Pleanála by a local resident.
The Knocknacarra development will involve the demolition of an existing agricultural shed and the construction of 91 residential units.
These will be made up of houses and apartments.
There will also be 4 ground floor retail units, a corner block of commercial units over three floors, a childcare facility, outdoor play areas and car parking.
Pedestrian access will be from Western Distributor Road and vehicles will be able to access the development from Ballymoneen Road, through the Leargán estate.
The appeal by a local resident argued that the density and scale of the development would be out of character with the area and would undermine the structure of his own house.
However, An Bord Pleanála has ruled that the Knocknacarra development would not seriously injure amenities in the area and would be acceptable in terms of traffic safety.
The Board is allowing the development go ahead with 18 conditions attached.
One condition states that no more than 75 homes can be made available to occupy before the childcare facility is complete.
Also, the retail units must be restricted to convenience retailing and local facilities and must be agreed in writing with the city council.
Another condition is that the development must be carried out on a phased basis in conjunction with the provision of a creche, retail units and landscaping and open space provision.
The death has occurred of the former Bishop of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora Martin Drennan, six years after he announced his retirement on health grounds. He was aged 78.
The Galway Diocesan Office confirmed the death this (Saturday) afternoon of the Bishop and Apostolic Administrator Emeritus, who oversaw the Diocese for eleven years.
Born on January 2, 1944 in Piltown, County Kilkenny, he studied for the priesthood at Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth, from where he was ordained to the priesthood in 1968. His brother Michael is also a priest.
Following his ordination, he continued his studies in Rome where he was awarded a Licentiate in both sacred theology and sacred scripture. He returned to Rome in 1980 to become spiritual director at the Pontifical Irish College for the next five years.
He became a lecturer in sacred scripture at Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth, where he continued to teach until his appointment as Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin in 1997 with responsibility for East Wicklow and South Dublin.
Following the retirement of Bishop James McLoughlin, Bishop Drennan was appointed Bishop of Galway and Kilmacduagh and Apostolic Administrator of Kilfenora and he was installed on July 3, 2005 in Galway Cathedral.
Outgoing Cllr Terry O’Flaherty (Ind) is on course to retain her City Council seat – and top the poll in City East.
With 33% of the boxes tallied, Cllr O’Flaherty is polling strongly, particularly in Renmore.
Michael John Crowe is ahead of his running mate Alan Cheevers for the Fianna Fáil vote, according to the early figures, although that could change when Doughiska and Roscam boxes are opened.
The Green Party’s Claire Hillery is on about 7%, with Fine Gael on 10% and Sinn Fein on 5%.
The opening of boxes for the local elections began at 9am this morning in Leisureland when the tallymen (and women) kicked into gear.
As regards the Galway County Council elections, the smaller areas are being opened first which means that the four-seater Connemara North boxes will be first in the pecking order.
It will be followed by Gort-Kinvara (5 seats), Connemara South (5 seats), Athenry-Oranmore (7 seats), Ballinasloe (6 seats), Loughrea (5 seats) and finally Tuam (7 seats).
The boxes in these areas will be opened and tallied in that particular order before being transferred to the Galway Lawn Tennis Club on Threadneedle Road where the counting will commence around mid-morning.
That is when the fun will really begin – although the tallies should give a good indication as to where most of the seats are destined.
As regards the city, the Galway City East boxes were opened first, followed by Galway City Central and finally Galway City West. These votes will be transferred to the Westside Centre by around 11am for counting.
There are 39 seats on Galway County Council to be filled with 18 on Galway City Council. The City Council count is expected to conclude on Saturday night but the County Council count – with seven electoral areas to be filled – could well go into Monday.
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