2461432
for a mixed-use development of apartments, duplex units and 4 no. retail units on a site of 3090m² / 0.30 hectares. The site is generally greenfield with 2 no. vacant/derelict residential dwellings. The proposed development will provide as follows; (A) Demolition of two existing derelict two storey residential dwellings that front on to Oranmore Mainstreet with a total area of 290m2. (B) Construction of 4 no. 3 storey blocks denoted A,B,C and D. The blocks contain 16 no. residential units made up of 6 no. apartment units, 10 no. duplex units and 4 no. commercial units, with maximum height of 10.4 metres. The total floor area of apartment and duplex development is 1182.6m2 and the total floor area of commercial development is 298.9 m2. Block A is made up as follows: 6 no. residential dwellings, including 3 no. two bedroom apartments on the ground floor, 3 no. three bedroom duplex units on the first and second floor. The total floor area of apartment and duplex development is 562.8m2. Block B is made up as follows: 6 no. residential dwellings, including 3 no. two bedroom apartment units on the ground floor, 3 no. three bedroom Duplex units on the first and second floor. The total floor area of apartment and duplex development is 562.8m.2 Block C is made up as follows: 2 no. commercial units on the ground floor and 2 no. three bedroom duplex units on the first and second floor. The total floor area of the duplex development is 245.8 m2 and the total floor area of commercial development is 144.2 m2. Block D is made up as follows: 2 no. commercial units on the ground floor and 2 no. three bedroom duplex units on the first and second floor. The total floor area of the duplex development is 245.8 m2 and the total floor area of commercial development is 154.7 m2. Access to be provided from a revised vehicular site entrance from Main Street Oranmore. New Footpath and Cycleways to be provided at the entrance to the site. 16 no. Car parking spaces, 42 no. bicycle parking spaces for residents and provision for 10 no. visitor bicycle parking spaces. All ancillary site development works to include; landscaped public open spaces approximately .15 ha or 48.8% of the overall site area. Private 208.4m²/ Communal open space approximately 1300m² .013ha of the overall site area. Internal roads and footpaths, foul and surface water drainage, site lighting, boundary treatments, and refuse storage located to the south of block D = 17.8sqm
Core Refusal Reason
The proposed development constitutes overdevelopment of a sensitive site within an Architectural Conservation Area, involving residential construction on Open Space zoned land, inadequate traffic safety measures, and insufficient environmental assessment regarding nearby European sites.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The proposal represents overdevelopment and a material contravention of the 'Open Space' zoning objective, as residential units are proposed on lands where such development is not normally permitted.
- The development would result in significant traffic safety hazards due to inadequate sightlines at the proposed entrance and a lack of satisfactory demonstration of vehicular manoeuvrability.
- The planning authority is not satisfied that the project would not adversely affect the integrity of the Galway Bay Complex SAC and Inner Galway Bay SPA, given the absence of a Natura Impact Assessment and potential hydrological links.