The Grove Gort Co Galway.

21/08/2024

We have spent the last number of weeks in dialogue with River bridge Grove Ltd working on a Community Agreement.

This is the consultation process written into the 2018 legislation that should proceed such a development occurring in an area to ensure a smooth transition and social cohesion.

The Grove and wider community have created a framework which will ensure any concerns, should they arise, are able to be addressed in a structured manner.

We have ensured cumulative noise levels have been kept in check from the newly installed equipment at the rear of the building which had the potential to cause disturbance.

It still remains that the government is making use of the exempted development criteria to avoid the public becoming aware of developments in their area which is not a democratic, socially and politically correct path to follow in any modern society.

Thank you to County Councillors Geraldine Donahue, P.J. Murphy, Gerry Finnerty and Paul Killiea for all their assistance for their hard work behind the scenes contacting relevant departments and attending meetings.
Also TD Sean Canney for contacting the ministers office for clarification on our behalf.

Thank you to all the people who have taken time to follow and post questions and opinions on this page.

29/07/2024

A comprehensive document was presented at a second meeting with the developers Riverbridge Grove Ltd on Friday afternoon setting out a Community Contract for their facility covering the entire The Grove Gort Co Galway. and Crow St area.

This represents the consultation phase which was required as per the 2018 amended legislation 'community consultation'.

This puts into place an understanding of operations and open dialogue between the company their management and the community.

We expect this to be signed off in the next day or two.

We will keep you up dated.

Meanwhile TD Sean Canny, Councillors Gerry Finnerty, P.J. Murphy and Geraldine Donohue are engaging in dialogue with government departments for updates and building regulations.

Thank you to them for their ongoing commitment to this process.

24/07/2024

Thank you to Minister Ann Rabbit, Councillors Gerry Finnerty and Paul Killilea for attending and for their input to last night's meeting to further fill us in on what they know in relation to the law and processes in relation to the awarding of building exemptions and government contracts.

Thank you also to Councillors Geraldine Donaghue and P.J. Murphy who have also been working hard in the background but were unable to attend as they were at meetings in Dublin.

It is good to have correct valid information.

The development underway in The Grove currently has a letter of exemption from Galway CoCo for internal change of use under amendments made to the planning act of 2000 from 2015 onwards for building works in particular amended legislation from 2018 onwards.

Under amended legislation it does not constitute an illegal development.

According to Sr planner in Galway CoCo the legality of such developments is in a state of limbo due to the disparity in the requirement to adhere to planning law and gives 2 weeks notice before commencing works and it not having a planning ref number and appearing on the e-planning GIS web page.
This is a legal issue caused by the manipulation of a huge body of law and needs to be rectified immediately.

The development is however also still subject to planning conditions and regulations as I explained last night and as Councillor Finnerty confirmed.

External changes must be compliant and in character with the surrounding buildings.

I highlighted some outstanding issues including an external extension for laundry which would cause noise pollution as well as ducting.

The ref number given in a post by Councillor Finnerty while welcome information is not a planning reference number.
It is a notification of commencement to the building authority.

While Galway CoCo were informed by the developer that they were planning to build a planning reference number has not been generated as per normal planning regulations.

It takes a planning inspector one week to process a planning file and upload it to the public GIS system

Answers are required as to why there is no documentation in relation to this development as we are unable to examine and comment on the plans and ensure their compliance as per regular planning applications.

A question remains around part V of the social housing Act for this development.

Due to the amending of the 2000-2002 planning act powers have been removed from local government and transferred back to central government reversing a positive process of decentralisation which began in Ireland in the early 1990's.
This is why local reps are unable to gain information.

There is provision in the law from 2018 on requiring communication with communities and this must be insisted upon. There are also government white papers on same.

The company has agreed to build within normal working hours as to date this has not occurred causing unnecessary stress to residents of the apartments.
This is a welcome development.

Thank you to all who attended and contributed in a positive and respectful manner.

22/07/2024

And they are going to let these people be in charge of more vulnerable people??

Cork developer Paul Collins and Tanya Hennigan are listed as directors of Townbe Unlimited Company.

22/07/2024

Public meeting in Sullivan's Royal Hotel at 20:00 tomorrow 23/07/2024 to discuss planning law, the legality and the impacts on the small community of The Grove of the change of use by stealth of unit 1 and the two office spaces above by Riverbridge Grove Ltd.

All welcome to engage in respectful dialogue.
Please share.

22/07/2024

Large vents have been drilled out into the private property and common area of the apartments above the retail units.

There is a bedroom window directly to the left of this picture.

How would the company directors feel if their neighbours vented their extractor units directly into their living area and beside their bedroom window?

As well as knowingly breaking the law they have no respect for the home owners in the apartments.

The door you see in the picture is a private entrance for the apartment owners to the stairwell, lift and access to their post boxes.

22/07/2024

22/07/2024

Despite a meeting being called by Councillor Gerry Finnerty and attended by Minister Ann Rabbit and Councillor Paul Killilea building continued not only after the meeting ended till 23:00 that night but new windows were fitted.

The builders were clearly aware the Minister was coming as they stopped working when the meeting was taking place on Friday evening only to resume after 19:00.

I don't know many builders that work on a Friday and my Father's family are all skilled tradesmen. They would be heading home for a shower and then out for a few pints.

Despite knowing that they have been rumbled and that numerous emails have been sent to [email protected] they brazenly continued to fit new windows on Saturday morning.

Planning law applies to all or none.

22/07/2024

As this is an illegal rouge change of use development taking place without planning permission the lack of proper health & safety standards are even on the outside.
What is being mismanaged failing to meet necessary ISO building regs on the inside by unqualified builders.

Anyone could fall into this hole seriously injuring themselves and there is no insurance to cover it.

Handy that the company directors also own other properties and business and would be in a position to cover the compensation.

The lives and homes of those who live above are also at risk as this illegal development is not insured.

Shame on the directors of River bridge Grove Ltd. I'm sure they wouldn't risk their own families, homes and businesses in this way so why do it to others??