Moycullen expansion gets green light despite traffic concerns

The construction of more than 200 houses and apartments in Moycullen has been described as premature pending the provision of a bypass for the village.

Planning permission has been granted for the construction of 113 houses in Moycullen while there are planning applications before Galway County Council for the provision of more than 70 other residential units.

But some local residents are concerned that the infrastructure in Moycullen cannot accommodate an additional 200 houses and particularly when it comes to the quality of footpaths while questions have been raised about the impact that this would have on the main sewage treatment plant in the village.

There are also demands for traffic calming measures to be implemented on the Mountain Road out of Moycullen where most of these residential units are planned.

However, Cllr Noel Thomas has told the Connacht Tribune that such development was welcome for the village in view of the shortage of houses that there are in towns and villages within “shouting distance” of Galway city.

“The traffic situation in Moycullen is chronic at the moment and I don’t think that the provision of an additional 200 residential units is going to make it any worse. I am of the firm belief that these developments should happen,” Cllr Thomas added.

The Fianna Fail councillor said that there was no indication when a new bypass for the village would be provided but he was advocating that essential housing development be provided in Moycullen because of the demand that is out there.

Recently, Galway County Council granted an extension of time to the Comer Group for a 113-house development to be built at Kylebroghlan, Moycullen – this development includes the provision of 24 five-bedroom houses which are expected to command prices at the latter end of the six-figure sum.

A planning application has also been submitted to the Council for the development of an eleven-bed B&B in Moycullen along with 16 one, two and three bedroom apartments – also at Kylebroughlan, Moycullen, which is located on the Mountain Road towards Spiddal.

There is some opposition to this development on the grounds that the three-storey development will overshadow a neighbouring property and will restrict sunlight. It has also been argued that the development will compromise the privacy of the neighbouring dwellinghouse.

Údarás na Gaeltachta have made a submission asking that Article 47 of the Planning Act which relates to the Irish language be implemented.

They want all signage on the building, which also includes office and commercial units, to be in Irish. They have also asked that all efforts be made to promote and protect the Irish language as laid out in local planning for the Gaeltacht

It is also proposed to provide An additional 30 dwellings which include three and four bedroom detached houses along with semi-detached units around the same location but this is being opposed on the grounds that it should not be permitted until the Moycullen bypass is constructed.

There are also plans to provide an additional 30 houses in the village which is expected to grow considerably over the coming years. House prices are also expected to rise considerably given its location to the city.

But Cllr Thomas said that other towns and villages around the county would welcome such development with open arms. “We have a number of vacant retail units in Moycullen and these developments could ensure that they are occupied in the not too distant future,” he said.

He also wants these developments to be connected to the village with footpaths along with the provision of essential playing facilities.