Former dairy site has problem with antisocial behaviour

The owners of the derelict Dawn Dairies premises on the Dublin Road in Renmore have sought permission to demolish some of the buildings on the site.

Husband-and-wife investors Padraic and Martina McHale from Clonbur (who are also part of the McHale farm manufacturing group in Mayo) said the buildings need to be demolished as they are a hazard to public safety and have become a focus for antisocial behaviour.

Through their company Welmount Investments, they propose to demolish three of the five buildings on the site.

“The application site has effectively been derelict for a number of years since Dawn Dairies ceased trading from this location. In the intervening period the existing buildings and structures on the site have deteriorated and are in poor physical condition.

“This deterioration means the site in its current condition represents a potential hazard to public safety in the event of unauthorised access.

“It should also be noted that the site and the subject buildings have become the focus of vandalism and antisocial behaviour. We understand that individuals and groups have been accessing the site and buildings for the purposes of partaking in antisocial behaviour.

“This behaviour represents a threat to local residential amenity. Given the location and nature of the site, however, it is difficult to secure against this type of activity.

“It is the intention of the applicant to redevelop the site in due course. However, there is an urgent need for the demolition of the subject structures on site in the immediate term.

“The buildings have no potential re-use and it is not considered appropriate to continue to maintain their structural integrity.

“The building to the rear of the site is in significantly better physical condition than the other buildings on the site. It also has the potential for re-use in the shorter term hence why it is not proposed to demolish it at this time,” the application reads.

It adds that it is proposed to tarmac the site once it has been cleared.

The McHales purchased the 1.15-acre site in 2011 for €1.28 million.

A decision on the planning application is expected from Galway City Council at the beginning of January.

The McHales are also currently in the process of demolishing the former Connacht Laundry premises off Henry Street to make way for a €10 million luxury hotel, which they expect to complete in 2018. They purchased that site in 2013 for an estimated €2m – a fraction of the €30m paid for it at the height of the property boom in 2006.

They have also partnered with the Comer Group to invest in a number of properties around Galway, including the ‘Odeon’ lands on the eastern side of Eyre Square and the Corrib Great Southern Hotel.