Council told Kinvara development 'premature'

Permission for a major development in the village of Kinvara, Co Galway, has been refused by An Bord Pleanála on the grounds that it would be premature pending the adoption of an action area plan.

A group of concerned citizens in Kinvara, led by Conor Minogue, had lodged an appeal against the planning permission granted for the development by Galway County Council in May of this year.

The planning application by John Burke was for the demolition of existing buildings, including two residential units, and the construction of a mixed-use two- or three-storey development over basement car parking on a site adjoining Market Square in Kinvara.

The planning appeals board refused permission on the grounds that the application contravenes the Kinvara local area plan 2005-2011 that seeks to enhance and develop the Market Square area.

The report states: "It is considered that the proposed development is premature pending the adoption of an action area plan providing a detailed approach to the integrated and sustainable development of the village centre."

The Bord Pleanála report also states that the proposed development, due to its height and scale, would be out of character with the area and set an undesirable precedent.

It also says the development would increase the load on an already deficient sewage disposal system with further impact on the quality of the sensitive waters in the bay.

Local campaigners, who have been lobbying for a sewage treatment plant for the village since 1999, claim that 70,000 gallons of the village's untreated effluent are being deposited every day into the bay 75 yards from the harbour wall.

The Kinvara appeal group has welcomed the planning appeal board's decision, which it regards as an important precedent for the future of planning in the village of Kinvara.

"In line with the plan, it encourages rejuvenation of the Market Square as a public amenity and the siting of car parking to the rear of the proposed development in the area zoned for future development," said a spokesman for the appeal group.

"Finally, it provides a new opportunity for promoting a fully integrated approach to local development."