Clifden Town Centre Enhancement | Significant FI | ABP-321144-24

NOTICE OF SIGNIFICANT FURTHER INFORMATION

Planning and Development Act of 2000 (as amended), Notice of Significant Further Information on a Section 177AE (‘Part X’) Direct Planning Application to An Coimisiún Pleanála (Ref. ABP-321144-24) For the Proposed Development of a Public Realm Scheme in Clifden, Co. Galway.

In accordance with Section 177AE(5)(d) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 as amended, An Coimisiún Pleanála has deemed the further information submitted by Galway County Council for the application under reference ABP-321144-24 under Section 177AE(5)(a) of the 2000 Act as significant and has required the publication of notices indicating such.

The development previously applied for consisted of:

1. Alterations works to the Clifden Town Centre area on Seaview Road, Main Street, Market Street, Market Hill, Bridgewell Lane, Bridge Street, and Hulk Street comprising:
   1. The reconfiguration and resurfacing of roads and realignment of parking spaces including removal of 58 no. On-street parking spaces leaving a total of 155 no. on street parking spaces,
   2. The widening and realignment of existing footpath areas, including the provision of new soft and hard landscaping,
   3. The installation of new and upgraded public lighting throughout the town,
   4. Relocation of The Beacon Statue,
   5. Installation of new public art,
2. Alterations to and resurfacing of Beach Road Quay public realm comprising:
   1. The provision of pedestrian and seating areas on the quay side of Beach Road quay, including the installation of 6 no. seating areas, and ancillary paving and landscaping,
   2. Remedial works to the quay wall (NIAH reg no. 30325017), including the resetting of dislodged stones, the removal of vegetation, and remedial masonry works,
   3. The replacement of existing railings along the quay wall,
   4. The installation of public lighting along the roadside,
3. Redevelopment of the Harbour Park area south of Beach Road and to the west of Clifden town centre.
   1. The demolition of the existing playground on site, and the construction of a new park including multi-age playground areas, including the provision of:
      1. Cycle Parking,
      2. Timber Play Furniture,
      3. Picnic benches and seating areas,
      4. An Amphitheatre Performance Spaces,
      5. Climbing Wall
      6. Pump track,
      7. Running Track,
      8. Car Park,
      9. Sports pitch,
   2. Resurfacing, paving and hard & soft landscaping of the park area,
4. All other associated and ancillary works

The application is supported by Natura Impact Statement (NIS). An Environmental Impact Assessment Screening Report has been undertaken in respect of the proposed development and concluded that an Environmental Impact Assessment Report is not required.

Significant Further Information has been furnished to An Coimisiún Pleanála in respect of this proposed development. This additional information comprises:

• Clarifications regarding the traffic, parking, and road safety impacts, and minor design changes to the proposed road layout.
• Further detail regarding the bollards and railings on Beach Road Quay.
• An updated Natura Impact Statement which takes account of updated Site-Specific Conservation Objectives for the relevant European Sites, lighting impacts, and location of the site compound.
• Updated assessment of the local planning policy, including the Clifden Local Area Plan 2018-2024.
• Response to the submissions received during the statutory consultation period, provision of a list of the statutory bodies notified of the application, and inclusion of a previously missing appendix.

A copy of the significant further information, including the updated Natura Impact Statement, will be available for inspection at the locations below during their public opening hours from the 21^st of July 2025 and the 11^th of August 2025, inclusive.

• The offices of the Planning Department of Galway County Council (Public Counter), Áras an Chontae, Prospect Hill, Galway during its public open hours;

• Galway County Council Offices, Clifden Area Office, Market St, Co. Galway, H71 Y892;
• The Offices of An Coimisiún Pleanála, 64 Marlborough St Dublin 1, D01V902; and
• Online at the Galway County Council Consultation Portal at https://consult.galway.ie/

A submission or observation in relation to the further information or revised plans may be made in writing to An Coimisiún Pleanála from the 21^st of July 2025 and the 11^th of August 2025 at 5:30PM, inclusive.

An Coimisiún Pleanála may give approval for the development with or without conditions or may refuse the application for development.

A person may question the validity of a decision by An Coimisiún Pleanála by way of an application for judicial review, under Order 84 of the rules of the Superior Courts (S.I. no 15 of 1986) in accordance with section 50 of the planning and development act 2000 (as amended). Practical Information in respect of the judicial review process can be assessed on the Commission’s website www.pleanala.ie or on Citizens Information’s Website www.citizensinformation.ie

The deadline for receipt of submissions or observations to An Coimisiún Pleanála is the 11^th of August 2025 at 5.30pm.