Residents up in arms over plan for 58 housing units

The development of a 58 residential unit estate on the outskirts of Tuam is being strongly resisted by local residents who say that it would be out of character with dwellings in the immediate area.

It has been argued that the proposed development off the Galway Road in Tuam, which includes seven blocks that include apartments and a mix of two-, three- and four-bed houses, is not appropriate to the surroundings.

The site is located to the rear of a number of long established houses on the Galway Road out of Tuam and three local residents have opposed the development in written submissions to the County Council.

Planning permission has been sought by Evolution Developments Limited for 58 residential units – these include 14 two-bed apartments, five blocks of terraced housing along with eight semi-detached houses at Killaloonty, Weir Road, Tuam.

Residents are concerned that the scale of the proposed development will result in overlooking on their properties while some question the legal entitlement to build on part of the site.

Most of the houses adjoining the site are single-storey bungalows and it is claimed that when the new development is completed the homes will be double the height of these houses.

It is also claimed that there is a lack of details on the planning file with regard to boundary walls and the residents have pointed out that there has been no consultation by the developers.

The housing plan by Evolution Developments, which is headed up by Mike Pender formerly of the Kenny Group, involves the demolition of an existing derelict house and outbuildings on the site and the provision of a mixed residential scheme.

One of the submissions is from Engineer Dwayne Higgins on behalf of local resident Sean O’Connell of Galway Road, Tuam. He said that the site layout is poorly configured and described the residential element as being of poor design.

He also said that the junction of the N17 with the Weir Road is deficient and there could be “capacity issues” if the new development gets the go-ahead.

It is said that there are issues with width and alignment of this particular junction. Galway County Council proposed an inner relief road linking the Weir Road to Ballygaddy Road but this had not happened.

It is suggested that any new residential development of such a substantial nature is premature pending the upgrading of the road infrastructure as proposed under the Tuam Local Area Plan.

There is also opposition to the development from other Galway Road residents who are backing onto the site, namely May Gibsey and Mary O’Neill.

The County Council has sought further information on the plans.