Planning watchdog highlights inconsistencies in County Galway Plan

Inconsistencies and problems have been highlighted in Galway’s new blueprint for future development for the county.

And that has led to a call for the Minister for Local Government and Planning to intervene and instruct Galway County Council to change aspects of its County Development Plan 2022-2028.

The Office of Planning Regulator (OPR) wrote to Minister Peter Burke this week outlining a number of issues it has with the development plan that was approved by County Councillors.

OPR, in a 74-page letter, appeals to the Minister to use his powers to instruct Galway County Council to make changes to the plan, which is the planning blueprint for the county over the next five years.

The Planning Regulator had made a whole host of recommendations to Councillors before they voted on the plan but on several occasions elected members went against the advice of OPR and planners in County Hall.

In its letter to Minister Burke, OPR said, “the Development Plan has not been made in a manner consistent with and fails to implement (our) recommendations”.

It cites a whole host of planning laws and regulations which it claimed the County Development Plan is not consistent with.

It said that the plan “made by Galway County Council fails to set out an overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of the area concerned” which was contrary to the requirements of the Planning and Development Act.

OPR asked Minister Burke to intervene and use his powers to “issue a direction” under section 31 of the Act, compelling the Councillors to make changes to the plan.

The issues highlighted by OPR relate to zoning of land in Headford, Oughterard, An Cheathrú Rua, Bearna, An Spidéal, Woodlawn, Claregalway, Clifden, Kinvara, Moycullen, Tuam, Ballinasloe, and Portumna. OPR has highlighted how zonings in the plan relevant to plots of land in these towns and villages are contrary to proper planning as laid down in law and guidelines.

It has asked the Minister to issue a directive to County Councillors to make changes to the plan.

Minister Burke now must consider the advice of OPR and whether or not to issue a directive compelling the Council to take action. If he does, the local authority must start a process which includes public consultation. After that OPR again looks at the plan and makes another recommendation to the Minister, who makes a final direction.

An OPR spokesperson told the Tribune: “The OPR works proactively with local authorities in the deliberations on their plans to ensure the best outcomes for communities which are consistent with regional and national planning policies.”

(Photo: The Planning Regulator’s offices in Dublin)