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Firm behind proposed Galway Docks development argues project is plan-led
Galway Bay fm newsroom – The firm behind a proposed major office block at Galway Docks has stressed
the development is plan-led and will act as a catalyst for future growth in the regeneration area.
The comments were made by Bonham Dock Limited on the final day of the oral hearing concerning the development which would create a 26 thousand square metre office complex and public square in the heart of the city.
An Taisce has argued the development is premature pending a Local Area Plan for the Docks area.
In its closing submission, the group stated the project would involve a stand-alone scheme and wouldn’t create a community without the required residential content.
It stated an LAP would ensure the required democratic oversight, would deliver quality outcomes for all and would ensure sequential development.
In his closing remarks, appellant Brendan Mulligan argued there must be a statutory Local Area Plan for the inner harbour, Ceannt Station and Eyre Square east regeneration lands.
This, he argued, would avoid it being developed in a piecemeal and incoherent fashion to ensure a sustainable future for Galway.
Steven Little on behalf of Bonham Docks Ltd. told today’s hearing the development is plan-led and has been assessed in the context of Galway City Development Plan adding there is no obligation on the planning authority to prepare an LAP.
He said the firm has already received expressions of interest and if approved, it’s hoped development would commence as soon as is practicable.
Peter Staunton of Galway City Council delivered the closing remarks for the local authority describing the project as a high quality development for the city which can contribute to the objectives of the City Development Plan for regeneration of the lands in question.
Earlier in the week, the applicant argued the project would result in the regeneration of a derelict, brownfield site which hasn’t been used in years.
The firm also highlighted its separate application for a major student accommodation development.
Concerns have been raised by a number of parties which include a call for a local area plan for the area, a lack of residential content, the scale, height, design and layout.
An Bord Pleanála Inspector Brid Maxwell closed the hearing today after all closing remarks were made by appellants, observers, planning authority officials and the applicant.
A decision is expected to be reached during the summer period.
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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