An Bord Pleanala, Floor 3, Blocks 6 &7, Irish Life Centre, Lower Abbey Street, DUBLIN 1

March 16th 1998

Re: Permission for the erection of a dwelling house and septic tank

At: Moycullen County Galway

For: Mr. & Mrs. Tom & Mary Power.

Ref: 97/2890 Galway County Council

Dear Sir,

We wish to object to the above grant of planning permission on behalf of The Friends of the Irish Environment c/o Peter Sweetman Bunahowen, Cashel, County Galway.

1. This proposed development is in an area which in any other county would be designated an area of outstanding scenic amenity in which development would be controlled. It is therefore our opinion that the zoning in the County Development Plan is unreasonable.

2. This development will obstruct views of the Corrib which should be preserved.

3. The land is zoned white land i.e. for agriculture and existing uses. The building of extremely large houses on small sites in this area could not be considered the proper planning and development of the area.

4. The septic tank is being placed on a the most important nationally important aquifer and the soakaway is draining into a sink hole. The ground on this site is sand because the topsoil has been removed to facilitate the extraction of sand and gravel.

5. We submit that the percolation test showed that the land is free draining into the aquifer and that as there is minimal organic matter in the tilt there will be minimal natural cleansing of the effluent from the septic tank.

6. The proposed development is ribbon development and therefore could not be considered the proper planning and development of the area.

7. The size of the proposed development on a site of 0.8195 hectares could not be considered to be of a suitable proportion and therefore could not be considered the proper planning and development of the area. It is our submission that the development is more likely to be a commercial development for which permission for change of use will be sought after it is completed. The area is not suitable for commercial development.

8. Adequate lands in the vicinity of Moycullen have been zoned for development. This site is not zoned for development and therefore this development could not be considered the proper planning and development of the area.

9. The access road is not adequate for the traffic already using it from the existing ribbon developments on it and we consider that any further development on this road pending improvement (which is not planned) would create a further traffic hazard.

CONCLUSION.

We accept that individually each of the above points does not form an overwhelming reason for refusal but we consider that when all the above points are taken together this development should be refused as it could not be considered the proper planning and development of this rural scenic area on a nationally important aquifer.

Yours faithfully

The Friends of the Irish Environment

APPENDIX A.

Objections submitted to the Planning Authority by:

Joe Nolan

Theresa O'Toole

Dr. Sean O'Donnell Chairman Cairde na Gaillimhe

Peter O'Toole

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