A local councillor has received a response from the CEO of Coillte regarding the future plans for 26 acres of Coillte owned woodland in Clarenbridge, which was put up for sale earlier this year.
The land in Kilcornan fronts on to the link road between Clarinbridge village and the Galway to Craughwell road, and backs on to the Clarin River. There were concerns raised after the plot was placed for sale by private treaty with Galway auctioneering firm DNG Maxwell Heaslip and Leonard. Local residents were unhappy with the proposed sale due to concerns the site would be developed. It was feared this would lead to flooding issues in the area and ruin what is seen as a local heritage site.
Cllr Martina Kinane says she has been informed that Coillte has specifically met the proposed purchaser on this issue and has been assured that it is not his/her intention to develop the property.
Cllr Kinane wrote to Coillte CEO Fergal Leamy informing him of her concerns regarding the future plans for the property, and requesting Coillte outline to her the reasoning behind the sale of the mature woodland. She was advised that Coillte received an expression of interest from a member of the public in late March to purchase the woodland. Consequently, the land was offered to the market as is by private treaty and is not subject to planning permission. Cllr Kinane has been reassured prior to the land being placed on the market that Coillte carried out a due diligence process, appropriate environmental assessment, and an independent valuation of the property. She was informed that on July 29 Coillte representatives consulted with local residents to discuss the proposal to sell the lands and that follow up engagement also took place with locals on August 9 and 15.
