There is a real danger that nobody will build a new house in Connemara again after another 2,300 acres in the region was designated a Special Area of Conservation.
This means that these lands cannot be touched from a development point of view – underlining claims that Connemara will become “a no go area” for those who want to live there.
The designation has also impacted negatively on the much needed upgrade of the road from Maam Cross to Clifden which locals say is having an adverse impact on tourism in the region.
Oughterard’s Cllr Tom Welby says that more than 70% of Connemara is designated a Special Area of Conservation meaning that there are no developments allowed.
“Earlier this month Galway County Council were informed that 14 sites in Connemara had been designated as Special Areas of Conservation. Once they are identified, they cannot be touched.
“They have the full protection of an SAC. It limits a huge amount of things that the owners can do with it. But the added problem is than any lands within twelve or fifteen kilometres of an SAC are also impacted,” Cllr Welby explained.
Concerns were also expressed at a public meeting in Maam Cross last week about risks that could arise from short term measures to improve the N59 road from Oughterard to Maam Cross.
Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív said an overlay or surface job would lead to increased speeds on a road that is too narrow as it is.
Deputy Noel Grealish was among those who feared that the National Parks and Wildlife Service were totally against the present upgrading plan.
Around 600 people have signed a petition calling on An Bord Pleanala to grant permission for a full upgrade of the road.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service came in for stinging criticism at the public meeting about the N59 organised by Sinn Fein in Maam Cross. Even with planning permission, the Oughterard to Maam Cross upgrade plan is stalled for over two years because the Wildlife Service does not agree with the work methods proposed.
Meanwhile, Cllr Welby said that areas in Cong, Claddaghduff, Renvyle and Carna were impacted by the new designations which means that these lands cannot be built upon. The owners cannot plant a tree or open a drain without permission, he added.
“There are around 20 or 30 restrictions and the land owners have to go before the Minister for the Environment before they can touch their own lands”, Cllr Welby added.
He also referred to the fact that 260 acres of land in Kiltartan in South Galway had also been designated a Special Area of Conservation simply because it flooded last winter.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service designates lands under the European Union’s Habitats Directive in a bid to protect natural habitats, plants and wildlife. Cllr Welby argues that land designations have recently led to the refusal of the important N59 upgrade scheme – and government intervention is needed.
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