Further delays to the beginning of construction on 121 homes in the sought-after area of Bearna by Burkeway Homes could cost the local economy millions as 150 jobs will be placed on hold indefinitely in addition to an investment of €30m in construction over three years, according to the MD of the company.
Burkeway Homes received the go-ahead on their third attempt at planning permission from An Bord Pleanála in February of this year, with construction on the project earmarked to commence in June later this year.
It was hoped that the granting of planning permission would signify the end of a long-standing battle for the Galway property firm to commence work on their Bearna site. However, a second judicial review challenging An Bord Pleanála’s decision has been sought from a group of neighbouring residents, Heather Hill Management company CLG objecting to the development.
Mediation talks were sought by Burkeway Homes in an attempt to bring a resolution to the dispute to date but have been unsuccessful thus far.
'Disappointing'
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Managing Director of Burkeway Homes Michael Burke has expressed his disappointment at the residents’ decision to request a judicial review for a second time on its Bearna site, adding that further delays to the beginning of the project would have considerable financial implications for the local economy in Galway.
“It is disappointing that residents of Cnoc Fraoigh should seek to further frustrate the process of delivering much-needed new homes to Galway,” he said. “It is particularly surprising that residents in the first phase of a two-phase development, such as Cnoc Fraoigh, should seek to deny others the joys of becoming homeowners in this much sought-after location.” said Mr Burke.
“We are deeply embedded in the local community in Galway, and it is knowing that these further delays will have a considerable financial impact on so many businesses that work alongside us that hits home the most. These are people’s wages and livelihoods that will be placed on hold indefinitely until we can resolve proceedings and a delay on a project of this size will have a widespread impact across the community.
“From Burkeway Homes’ perspective, we have gone to considerable lengths throughout this process to ensure that the Bearna development, much like the rest of our developments in Galway, will enhance and improve the overall neighbourhood and the wider Bearna community and we have a number of plans in place to carry out works in Bearna in addition to the construction of much-needed homes in the area.
Resolve the issue
“We will endeavour to resolve this issue so that we can continue to contribute to the local economy through our projects and continue to provide homes to a growing Galway population,” Mr Burke added.
The 121 homes planned for the development in Bearna will feature a number of different types of housing, such as:
One and two-bedroom apartments
Two-bedroom garden level apartments and three-bedroom duplex homes
Three and four-bedroom semi-detached and terraced houses
Large four- bedroom detached houses.
Burkeway Homes are also committed to the protection and preservation of the Irish language in the area and welcome the An Bord Pleanála planning condition which means that at least 20% of home owners in the development must “demonstrate the ability to preserve and protect the language and culture of the Gaeltacht.”
Mr Burke also added that the large amount of green space in the scheme will add a unique element to the development, with small parks and amenities enhancing the area for the future homeowners.
In addition to the housing development, BurkewayHomes have said they are committed to the expansion and enhancement of the wider local community with a number of public amenities also included in the new Bearna development, such as:
· Provision of a much-needed footpath connectivity link along the busy L-1321 to link the Moycullen country road to the village in a much safer manner.
· Development of a crèche facility with associated outdoor play areas and parking
· Provision of shared communal and private open space, car and bicycle parking, site landscaping
· Provision of a linear park along the Trusky Stream
· Playgrounds, pocket parks and an outdoor play area
The Bearna development has also been welcomed by one of Galway’s leading auctioneers, Tony Kavanagh of Sherry FitzGerald Galway:
Mr Kavanagh said that Burkeway Homes have consistently been the largest supplier of quality homes to the Galway market over the last decade. “Their considered approach to design, development layout, unit choice and use of innovative technologies, make a Burkeway home a very sought-after property. This exciting development in Bearna comprises all of those qualities in a prime village setting and will be a welcome addition to a very under supplied market,” he said.
