A decision on whether or not to grant planning permission for the proposed floodlights at Pearse Stadium is due on Thursday March 12.
The Galway City Council has received a response to its request for further clarification on the application. However Noel Molloy of the Rockbarton Road and Rockbarton Green Residents, Salthill, accused the GAA of having “failed to answer most of the questions asked by the planning office”.
According to Mr Molloy, the GAA was asked to demonstrate that the installation of floodlighting as proposed will not have a significant effect on the amenity of the residents in respect of light pollution.
He said the GAA “now concede that they cannot control the lighting pollution levels on houses at Na Cuilini. They claim instead that when people bought these houses they should have realised that floodlights could be put up in future.
“It ignores the fact that floodlighting was not a normal feature of such sports grounds at that time,” said Mr Molloy, “and so there would be no expectation that it might be an issue in the future. It ignores the assurances that there would be no night time activities given to the residents by the GAA when they were seeking donations and support to develop the stadium.”
Mr Molloy also accused the GAA of “not answering any of the questions the council asked on traffic management but merely said they will continue to provide adequate notice to the parking sites, including notice to the gardaí who will prepare specific traffic plans
