To whom it may concern,

I/we welcome the opportunity to make a submission in respect of the Draft Galway County Development Plan 2022-2028. Sustainable energy community in North Galway encompassing Milltown and surrounding LEA

My considerations are in the responsible use DEPENDANT RELATIVE ACCOMODATON on existing serviced sites within Galway. These Granny flats, Mamo Mew’s are of huge potential for a Society and as a tool to implement good practice in a housing and health accommodation crisis in Galway at present and up to and including the new CDP in 2029.

Your sincerely,

Joe Sheridan

Section of the Draft Development Plan

Under DM standard 5 Dependant relative accommodation / Granny Flats (Urban and Rural)

Proposed amendment or inclusion:

1. Include Mamo Mews as part of descriptor following Granny Flats

2.The deletion of Sub sections as listed below

• “A Physical connection to the main house with direct access to the main dwelling”

• “The flat shall form and integral part of the main structure of the main house with provision for direct internal access to the remainder of the house IE not attached”

• “The flat shall not have a separate access provided to the front elevation to the dwelling “

• The design shall enable the flat to revert back easily fully to being part of the original house when no longer occupied by the family member

Section of the Draft Development Plan

Under section Policy objectives Rural Housing RH12

“adaption of existing housing stock”

Proposed amendment or inclusion:

Substitute the word Maybe for the word Be in Bullet points 1 and 2

Rationale:

These adaptions will allow for the responsible planning construction and use of ancillary care and independence units for family members who require family attention but not full- time care but still need some independence for their everyday living needs and mental wellbeing. The size ceiling level will allow for stay over care people for respite periods and allow to be used as a quarantine arena as was seen for our health care workers and front -line staff during Covid 19 restriction periods. The stand-alone nature of the Mamo Mews / Granny flat will allow differing site configurations, to be looked at and considered, rather than a bias to an adjoined extension only.

The 50-meter square and four- meter height “as similar to house extension requirements” capping would allow for an over night stay for carer personal as is warranted and is now common practice with home care packages for elderly, able, restrictive ambulant people. The provision for roll in roll out wet room facilities and ground floor open plan amenities make for these as being an amenable solution to the care of the elder members of the family within a loving and caring environment. The open plan ground floor with widened door access will allow for the private yet spacious use for ambulant and restrictive ambulant use for residents, their assistants and emergency responders if required. This layout would be suitable for appliances such as hospital style beds, Wheelchairs and Zimmer frames and pull alarm assistance