PALACE ROAD RIGHT OF WAY / CAR PARK DECISION Bord Pleanala have announced their decision to refuse retention planning which is in line with both the judgements of the Supreme Court and the High Court .The primary question now is what will happen and what is the timescale ? Bord Pleanala in its refusal has said that this development is contrary to the commercial vitality and viability of Tuam and is an underutilisation of this strategic land within Tuams’ Town Centre. Bord Pleanala also says what has happened seriously damages the visual amenity, heritage and history of the area. The High Court have to be advised formally at a hearing next week of Bord Pleanalas decision and they will then activate the orders from their High Court Judgment last December. This High Court decision orders the route of the original Palace Road to be restored and also that all the original car parking spaces are re-opened. I am told from an engineering perspective this can be done very quickly, I hope within a couple of weeks. The restoration of the palace road will ensure once again that everybody has a direct, safe and practical ,permanent public route to and from the Palace Grounds Town Park and beyond. Also, some of the landscaping and natural beauty that had been enjoyed by the town for so long can be returned to this area. It is almost two years to the day when, on the 17th May 2012, a meeting that I arranged was held in O’Tooles car park. The attendance included among others, five school principals, Mr O’Tooles personal representative and his planning representative and a Director of Galway County Council. In relation to the safety concerns raised and public right of way issues we were told that this land is now private and that school children and residents including those of the Palace Fields and St Josephs Park should now walk around either on Bishop Street or Shop Street but not through the new car park. As a Public Representative I could never give away a public right of way nor could I in any way accept a less safe route for our school children and town residents. After trying every avenue with the developer, the County Council and other local county councillors , Connie Goss, Steve Lane, Dan Trayers and myself reluctantly and after a lot of soul searching and consideration of the financial implications of losing, took a High Court Action which we won in December 2013. As always I will do anything to facilitate a swift conclusion and see safety restored and the original car parks re-opened over the next few weeks.
Posted on: Tue, 20 May 2014 18:36:27 +0000
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