Ceannt Station must not get ‘fast track’ planning permission says Green Party candidate

Niamh O’Donovan from Turloughmore pictured last year with a scale model of CIE's proposals to develop a new transport interchange for the west of Ireland at Galway's Ceannt Station, at the heart of a new urban quarter for the city.

By Kernan Andrews

Bypassing City Hall’s planning office to fast track the proposed Ceannt Station development must not be allowed take place as transport infrastructure is given a low priority in the masterplan.

This is the view of The Green Party’s Galway City Central candidate Máiréad Ní Chróinín. She was reacting to CIE’s announcement that it intends to seek ‘fast track’ approval for the Ceannt Station development, stating that it had already opened discussions with developers based on its proposed masterplan.

The so-called ‘fast track’ approach would allow for the proposed development - a mixed-use structure which will include bus and rail transport facilities, cultural and community facilities, residential units, new squares and pedestrianised zones, retail and commercial facilities, leisure facilities, bars, restaurants, and hotels - to bypass the Galway City Council’s planning department and go directly to An Bórd Pleanála for a decision.

It is understood that with the transport element of the development, CIE may be entitled to take the ‘fast-track’ approach. However Ms Ní Chróinín has accused CIE of being “cynical”.

“Transport infrastructure is given a low priority in the masterplan, with more land being given to retail, apartments and parking,” she said. “CIE’s plans are a threat to Galway’s development because they build on land we will need in the future to expand our public transport infrastructure.”

Ms Ní Chróinín alleged that changes made by CIE to the masterplan go against the requirement for public consultation on all planning applications.

“CIE conducted a very poor consultation process last year,” she said. “Now they have stated that they have made changes to the masterplan during discussions with developers, and that the plan will change again during the tendering process. In other words, the public were consulted on an out-of-date plan which will not be followed by developers!”

Ms Ní Chróinín has accused CIE of “acting with disregard” for the future needs of Galway's citizens and businesses.

“We have another unaccountable semi-state body making decisions in Dublin,” she said, “with complete disregard for the impact it will have on Galway.”

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