Writer not to appeal marina plan

The writer and environmentalist Tim Robinson says he does not intend to appeal planning permission approved recently for a yacht marina near his home in Roundstone, Connemara, following a compromise with the backers of the project.

Galway County Council approved planning permission for the 34-berth project earlier this month, subject to a series of conditions. Some £750,000 (€952,303) in State funding was earmarked for the project by the Minister for the Marine and Galway West TD, Mr Fahey, last year, and the total construction is expected to cost about €1.5 million.

Tim and Mairead Robinson of Folding Landscapes in Roundstone had lodged an objection, and there had been fears that they would leave the village if the plan went ahead. However, in a statement issued by the couple to this column, they state that they have decided not to appeal the decision. Mr Robinson is in London, where he is working on a translation of Máirtín Ó Cadhain's classic, Cré na Cille, in partnership with Mr Liam Mac Con Iomaire.

"Our objection was primarily to the fact that we had been completely ignored in the planning of this development, which was to come alongside our garden and reach to within 45 metres from the sea windows of our home and workplace," the couple state. "Ours is the only household so immediately affected, but it was not even shown on the plans exhibited at the public meeting on the proposal.

"However, we feel we have now made that point, and that it has been recognised by the marina committee. At our invitation, the committee has consulted with us, and we have sought for and received three assurances: that the marina will not come nearer to our house than a line continuing that of the wall at the end of our garden; that if and when dredging begins, it turns out to be possible to site the structure further south, this will be done; and that there will be a firm management in place, so that if there is noise or other disturbance from the operation of the marina, the problem will be addressed.

"Because of the very personal impact of this development on our private lives, we did not feel we should mount a public campaign against it," the couple state. "Nevertheless, we wish to place on record our sadness at the continuing degradation of Connemara's lovely naturalness."