CLARE County Council has granted permission for a new footpath, raised zebra crossing and pedestrian counter in Tuamgraney.
The development will link up with an existing amenity trail in the East Clare village, close to the Tuamgraney Community Woodlands. The proposed works received no submissions or objections during planning.
The council had initially made an application for the development in February of this year. As the development was a council project, a report from the Chief Executive and Senior Planner Helen Quinn was issued as part of the application, containing several internal reports and findings.
Due to Tuamgraney’s scenic location, concerns were raised over the development’s potential to impact on the nearby Lough Derg Special Protection Area. An assessment however found that as the road is well maintained, there was “no potential for direct effects from the proposed works”. This also meant that an Environmental Impact Assessment was not required during the planning phase of the development.
Three modifications were also made to the plans during the development phase, including the omission of a planned seating area, the relocation of a planned uncontrolled pedestrian crossing point 10m closer to the R463 junction and the construction of a raised, uncontrolled crossing at this point.
The council stated as part of the application that the proposed development was in line with several aspects of the County Development Plan, particularly in relation to Town and Village enhancement and Universal Design objectives. An assessment of visual and residential amenities near the development found that the proposal “would not negatively impact on the visual or residential amenities of the area”.
The development is forecast to improve pedestrian safety in the village due to the enhanced facilities and crossing point. Although no timeframes have been given for the proposed works completion, the Chief Executive’s report states that “no significant earthworks” are required. Materials to be used in the construction include pavement sets, natural stone kerbs, tactile paving and macadam finishes.
Work on the development can now begin following the council’s decision to grant unconditional planning permission.
