2460689

for the construction of a bog bridge walking trail and viewing platform overlooking Lough Belsrah and all associated site works. A Natura Impact Statement is submitted to the planning authority with this application

Refused

Core Refusal Reason

The proposed development is located within the Slieve Aughty Mountains SPA and Sonnagh Bog SAC, and the Planning Authority cannot be certain that it will not adversely affect the integrity of these European sites due to insufficient assessment of potential impacts on qualifying interests and conservation objectives.

Decision Maker's Conclusion

  • The development is located within the Slieve Aughty Mountains SPA and Sonnagh Bog SAC, and the submitted Natura Impact Statement (NIS) failed to provide a robust assessment of potential impacts on qualifying interests, including the Hen Harrier, Merlin, and Annex I Blanket Bog habitat.
  • The Planning Authority determined that the construction of a bridge through qualifying interest habitat is contrary to the conservation objectives of the SAC, and potential in-combination and operational impacts were not adequately considered.
  • In the absence of sufficient information to rule out adverse effects on the integrity of the Natura 2000 network, the proposal would contravene the precautionary principle and specific policy objectives of the Galway County Development Plan 2022-2028.

Cited Policies (CDP)

Section 4.6Section 4.6.3Section 6.17Section 8.13Section 10.6Section 10.15Chapter 12Chapter 13Section 13.5Section 13.6Section 14.4Section 14.6Chapter 15Section 15.2.4Section 15.3.1Section 15.3.2Section 15.6Section 15.7.2Section 15.13.2Policy Objective NHB 1Policy Objective NHB 2Policy Objective NHB 3Policy Objective NHB 4Policy Objective NHB 5Policy Objective NHB 9Policy Objective WR 1DM Standard 50

Decision Document Summary

The Kilchreest, Castledaly Community Development Group sought permission for a 400-metre bog bridge walking trail and viewing platform at Gortnamannagh West, Kilchreest, Co. Galway. The site is situated within a high landscape sensitivity area and overlaps with two European sites: the Slieve Aughty Mountains SPA and the Sonnagh Bog SAC. Galway County Council refused the application primarily because the submitted Natura Impact Statement and Construction Environmental Management Plan did not prov...
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