Planning board queried again about Ballina bridge

BALLINA’s proposed pedestrian bridge has been thrown into rocky waters again with yet another appeal lodged to An Bord Pleanála (ABP) regarding its decision that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was unnecessary for the development, to be situated at the Salmon Weir on the River Moy.

The Mayo News understands that while Environmental Consultant, Mr Peter Sweetman, made an application on July 23 last, he has not, according to a board spokesman, initiated the necessary legal proceedings, which must be filed with the High Court, for a judicial review of the case. 

Earlier this year, an appeal by Friends of the Irish Environment was not upheld after one of the board’s inspectors, Mr Eoghan Brangan said: “I consider that the proposed pedestrian bridge, even in combination with the proposed development of a car park, amenity area, riverside walk and theatre, is not likely to have significant effects on the environment.”

Soon afterwards, Director of Services, Mr Seamus Granahan welcomed the decision at a Ballina Town Council meeting, observing that ‘the Part 8 [planning permission] that we passed last march can now be proceeded with’.

The Council’s Senior Engineer and Acting Director of Services, Mr Noel Burke, told The Mayo News yesterday that the authority had already proceeded with the contract for the project and was currently carrying out on-site investigations.

 “We were delighted with ABP’s decision and confident that everything was above board and going ahead. The bottom line is that there was a democratic decision made by the Town Council for this to proceed, our consultants had told us an EIS was not required and a subsequent objection [by The Friends of the Irish Environment] was not upheld,” said Mr Noel Burke.

He observed that due to objections there had already been significant delays and the project proper would not now start this year. 
ABP’s spokesman, Mr John Duffy said that Mr Sweetman had lodged the application on his own behalf and it had asked whether the Board considered the project needed an EIS.

The Board has written to Mr Sweetman explaining its position, said Mr Duffy. 

“All that I can confirm at the moment is that an EIS is not required. Obviously, it is open to anyone to seek a judicial review and we would be informed of those proceedings by the High Court,” said Mr Duffy.  

Mr Peter  Sweetman declined to affirm if he intended applying to the High Court for a review. He told The Mayo News the application had been lodged on July 23 last and that it was a request under section 50(1)(b) of the Roads Act 1993.

The project’s delivery was significantly expedited by a Fáilte Ireland grant of €900,000 announced last November.

Áine Ryan
(c) Mayo News