Galway residents, businesses, and community groups are being encouraged to make their views known on the final draft of the Ireland 2040 National Planning Framework as public consultation deadline has been extended.
The deadline for submissions in this last public consultation stage has been extended by one week to 12 noon on Friday November 10. The final draft Ireland 2040 Plan is available at http://npf.ie/draft-of-ireland-2040.
The Minister for Community Development, Natural Resources and Digital Development, and Fine Gael TD for Galway West, Seán Kyne, is urging the public to make submissions on the plan.
“The National Planning Framework Ireland 2040 – Our Plan is the master plan for our country between now and 2040,” he said. “The broad thrust of the plan is sensible and realistic and contains important objectives such as tackling disadvantage, eliminating differences in living standards between different parts of the country, and encouraging more balanced and sustainable development.”
In relation to Galway, the plan proposes supporting the growth of the city of at least 50 per cent of the current population – or 44,000 extra people – with investment focused on improving infrastructure, housing, employment, and facilities. Key areas of focus for Galway include regeneration projects in the city, specifically the Ceannt Station area and the Headford Road as well as the core inner city; improving transport to and from the major employment centres of Parkmore, Mervue, and Ballybrit; as well as an enhanced public transport network across the city; delivery of the Galway ring road; and enabling the expansion of Galway’s third level institutions.
Minister Kyne said the draft plan has “shortcomings” in relation to the Western Rail Corridor, Galway’s waterways and blueways, Galway Port, and the N59. “Therefore it is vital that residents, business-owners, community groups and organisations have their say on the plan,” he said, “so it can be as effective as possible for Galway and the west of Ireland.”
