Access concerns for proposed play area

GALWAY County Council has sought further information in relation to proposals to develop a children’s play area and demolish an existing two-storey building at the Lidl Licensed Discount Foodstore in Gort.

An application was made by Lidl (Ireland) GmbH to Galway County Council on April 17 last proposing the works at Crowe Street.

The local authority wrote to the applicant on June 10 last to advise them that the planning authority and roads unit have concerns “regarding the safe access by vehicles, cycle and on foot of the potential users of the facility”.

Apart from the access, the council said the vicinity of the adjacent and busy national route and junctions should be examined for issues that may arise indirectly from its use as a playground.

The authority also advised that “while the facility is within Lidl’s property, access through this property may not become the ‘desired’ mode, due to the site’s openness to closer public areas”.

It notes that, as per the County Development Plan 2009-2015, the nature of the development “will pose a significant change to the type of traffic and pedestrian use within this area”.

It sought the commission of a road safety audit focusing on these issues and the recommendations should be incorporated in the submitted design.

The further information request also states that under architectural conservation, the proposed wall, as part of the application, is not considered appropriate in height or appearance.

“In order to retain the established line of the streetscape, it is considered more appropriate to insert a higher wall, as is to be seen in other areas throughout the town,” the authority stated.

It recommended the wall be constructed in stone or block work, with a rendered finish. The council further sought a revised site layout map indicating the proposed ground/surface finish.

The planning application has received written submissions from Brian Honan, Margaret Honan, John Counihan and Mary Counihan, residents and business persons of Crowe Street, Gort.

The submissions outline concerns about building on a flood plain; safety due to the volume of traffic in the region of the development; that the play area would attract loitering at night due to its proximity to a nightclub; the impact it would have on the streetscape of the town and that a second playground in Gort is not warranted.

An Taisce state in a submission that the building proposed for demolition is modern and not of architectural design merit. However, they note the demolition would be a “waste of resources, create loss of streetscape enclosure and loss of alternative town centre use”. The body said it would be preferable to use the building for community purposes and also provide a playground.

“The playground can be accommodated by reducing car parking area and promoting cycling in Gort,” it states.

A submission was also made on behalf of Justin and Mary Sadleir, owners of a nearby property.

They outline that their residential property has been in existence since the 1970s and point out that the Lidl development “has increased traffic flow, creating significant danger for persons emerging from the Sadleir property”.

The submission states there were “several near accidents” and add that any further development at this location will “tend to increase the volume of traffic seeking to gain access to the Lidl property and particularly the number of children who will be exposed to risk”.

They highlighted that their concern relates solely to the traffic hazard and they have not objected, nor do they now object, to the presence of Lidl or those dealing with Lidl.

The NRA also made a submission stating that it will rely on the planning authority to abide by the official national policy in relation to developments on/affecting national roads.