The Galway County Council must explain to Claregalway residents why development levies collected in the area have not been spent locally on much needed recreation and amenity facilities according to Fine Gael’s Oranmore candidate Eamon Fox.
A total of €2,250,195 in development levies was collected and spent between 2004 and 2007 in the Oranmore Electoral Area, but only €1,090 of this was spent in Claregalway.
Mr Fox said this is a “scandal” in an area which “urgently needs” playground facilities and footpaths, particularly along the N18 connecting the church, national school and community centre. He said a footpath is also needed to connect estates such as Gleann Mhuiris, Sli an Bhradain, and Churchview to the village.
“Residents have long wondered why these urgent facilities were not put in place while so many residential developments were ongoing,” he said. “Money that should have spent in the village was spent elsewhere. In future, all development levies collected in an area should be ringfenced for the needs of that area.”
Mr Fox is also calling on the council to fast-track funding for the proposed riverside walk in the village. “This would provide an attractive amenity for both locals and tourists,” he said, “and also some badly needed local employment.”
