Masterplan to be drawn up for airport site

The future of the Galway Airport site at Carnmore will be determined by a masterplan to be drawn up under the auspices of the City and County Councils, councillors were told this week.

A report by City Council Chief Executive, Brendan McGrath, outlined that the development of a potential masterplan for the site should be developed as a priority action.

“The completed Masterplan will before both before both local authorities for Council agreement – the Masterplan will be approved by the two Councils,” Mr. McGrath’s report stated.

However, he pointed out in the report, that in the meantime a new short-term or interim tendering process should now be advanced for the site as a priority action.

“This process may consider offering ‘lots’ rather than the entire site as a single entity or other possible variations and considerations.

“This process needs to be advanced fortwith considering that the current lease runs out in mid-December 2015 . . . our legal advisors have advised that a totally new lease will be necessitated should the option of an interim lease be pursued,” the Chief Executive advised.

He also pointed out that ‘medium term options’ that facilitate future temporary flying arrangements would have to be addressed in the context of the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) licensing requirements.

Other considerations that had to be taken into account included the availability of aviation and communication equipment on the site.

“The requirement of the IAA will also impact on the interim tendering process, if flying activity is to be facilitated.

“Arrangements with Galway Flying Club will need to be dealt with separately from lease arrangements for the property. However, such arrangements will be influenced by the outcome of the tendering process,” said Brendan McGrath.

Councillors agreed to discuss the airport issue in more detail at a future meeting with some expressing concerns over the possible loss of the aviation base in and out of the Galway city area.