Planning Board's Decision will destroy Donegal's cultural traditions!

by Techie. Mon Feb 21, 2011 22:29

But sure didn't Don Quixote blame Windmills for destroying the Spanish land of La Mancha.
To paraphase Cervantes' wonderful sarcastic comedy from many centuries ago:

Don Quixote:
"Onward Rosinane (to his horse) this revolving machine is a demon."

His servant Sancho Panza said:
"It is only a windmill Don."

Don Quixote attacked the windmill head on.
The windmill won the battle.
Poor Don Quixote.

Nice image of Don Quixote attacking the windmill here:

http://www.fulltable.com/vts/d/dq/im/35.jpg

Cervantes gave the word "quixotic" to the languages of the world.

by Del Boy Mon Feb 21, 2011 20:53

An interesting, unattributed, article appeared in last weeks Connacht ‘City Tribune’, 18th Feb, which, indicated that CIE are to fund a ‘scoping study’ looking into the preferred location of Galways long awaited - multi purpose Concert/Conference Hall and possible School of Music venue: which is to be sited, we are being told, between Ceannt Station and Galway Docks.
This reminded me of a submission made 13 years ago, wherein I had suggested that Galway could have its own smaller version of Sydneys iconic Opera House at Richardsons bend, where the Ce na Mara apartments are now built (copy attached).
However, with these development issues now being complicated by the worst economic crisis ever experienced in a developed country, where many livelihoods have been ruined, and significant emigration is taking away many of our most gifted citizens: the likelihood of such an ambitious scheme going ahead is slim indeed.

People are currently being seduced into believing that it will be possible to relocate our now ‘non-commercial’ Port out into Galway Bay, while at the same time we create a new Ocean Leisure Quarter around the existing docks.

As Fintan O’Toole in his book ‘Enough is Enough’ said, “Typically, large scale public or private projects come with a veneer of consultation whose only aim is to persuade the community to accept what has already been decided by those who know better!” (Fintan O’Toole, 2010 Faber & Faber).

I believe that this project will go the way of the Dublin Port Company’s plans to fill in 21 hectares of Dublin Bay did, along with Corks similar plan to move its port down river. Both projects were tripped up by An Bord Pleanala for good environmental and sustainable planning considerations, which would be similar to the many concerns people have expressed here in Galway.

After all that. Not least of Galway’s problems, is, that the Dept of Environment, Heritage & Local Government, in August 2007, have determined that before SDZ (Strategic Development Zoning) could be given to the 9.7 hectare site surrounding the existing docks, that the Department of Transport “would require the sanction of their Department and that they have requested the preparation of a business plan for the future of the port.” Letter to Mr Joe McGrath from DoE’s Spatial Policy Section.

It would seem logical to me, as it would to any member of the public, that, any planning application lodged prior to the preparation by Galway City Council of a Local Area Plan, would be considered premature and would lead to a refusal by ABP.
More recently, July 2009, in a letter to An Taisce, the Principle of DoE’s Planning System and Spatial Policy Section, explained that “From a proper planning and sustainable development perspective, there are a number of issues which would need to be considered and addressed in advance of possible SDZ designation. This Department feels that a Local Area Plan for the wider harbour/docks/south city centre area should be prepared which would set out the broad context for development e.g. vision, uses, design standards and links with other city centre developments. The Galway Transport Planning Study (GTPS) would require to be updated.” Principle of DoE’s Planning System and Spatial Policy, Mr Dave Walsh.

This point has been made many times by me to officials at Strategic Policy Committee meetings, where I represent the Galway City Community Forum. Only to be told that any planning application coming from CIE, or, Galway Harbour Company, would be treated as any normal planning application coming from a “private” developer would be.

The fact is, that the Harbour extension will be determined under ‘Strategic Infrastructure’ regulations now takes it out of the hands of Galway City planners.

Finally: When making their response to Minister Dermot Ahearns High Level Review of State Commercial Ports 2003, Galway Harbour Company agreed to section 6, which stated “The onus to fulfil a function as a trading port should be removed from certain ports. Allowing dormant ports to exit from the ports sector would increase the port estate available for development. Port Policy needs to outline a concise and workable exit strategy for ports where this is appropriate.

Galway Harbour Company response – agreed. Non Trading ports should be transferred to the Local Authorities for urban renewal type development.

My conclusion is, that given the current nature of Galway Harbours reducing business managing its property portfolio, and, collecting parking fees. With minimal maritime trade in the form of oil/bitumen imports. Is, that the sooner the turnover of its estate to Galway City Council ocurrs, the better.

This would allow for the creation of a fully written up Local Area Plan, as is required by the Dept of Environment, Heritage & Local Government, as detailed above, which would include provision of sites adjacent to Ceannt Station and Galway Harbour for public open spaces cultural, commercial and residential elements alongside a newly established Regional Water Sports Centre.

Del Boy
Galway. 20th Feb, 2011.