Publications

Letter sent by email to An Bord Pleanála 3.50pm Friday 6th December 2024 Submissions and Observation – Clifden Town- Connemara Chamber >> Changes to Car Park Spaces – Connemara Chamber >> ____________________________________ Connemara Chamber Platform 6, Galway Road, Clifden Connemara, Co. Galway, H71 VH51 [email protected] www.connemarachamber.ie 6 December 2024 The Secretary An Bord Pleanála 64 Marlborough Street Dublin 1 D01V902 [email protected] Re: Submissions and observations on the Planning Application to An Bord Pleanála for the public realm enhancement works at Clifden, Co. Galway by Galway County Council.   Dear Secretary, This letter is our submission and observations on implications of the proposed development for proper planning and sustainable development in the area concerned. Connemara Chamber of Commerce and its members have been engaged in consultation on the plans for public realm enhancement works at Clifden Co. Galway (also known as ‘Clifden Regeneration’) since it’s inception. The proposed plan has the potential to have positive transformational effect on the visual aspect of the town centre, beach road area and harbour park. However, speaking on behalf of our members, the overwhelming view is that there are two key topics that must be addressed before proceeding with these works, one outside of the […]

Clifden Regeneration – How and When to Submit Submissions or Observations – Submissions or observations may be made in writing during such period to The Secretary, An Bord Pleanála, 64 Marlborough Street, Dublin 1 D01 V902 relating to the following: • The implications of the proposed development for proper planning and sustainable development in the area concerned, • The likely effects on the Environment of the proposed development, and • The likely significant effects of the proposed development on European Site if carried out. Note the deadline An Bord Pleanála must receive submission or observations. The deadline for receipt of submissions or observations to An Bord Pleanála is 6th December 2024 at 5.30pm.

Presentation of Clifden Regeneration – 2 Dec 2024 – Connemara Chamber Download here >>> Clifden Regeneration Presentation – Zoom Meeting – 2 Dec 2024

  The Connemara Chamber is hosting a zoom event. Please find the details below:   Topic: Clifden Regeneration Plans – Have Your Say Event Connemara Chamber is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Time: Dec 2, 2024 07:30 PM Dublin   Join Zoom Meeting https://us05web.zoom.us/j/87495942655?pwd=RAQZFGUb4nbi8ui4yTUZGkmm9mqXRM.1   Meeting ID: 874 9594 2655 Passcode: 639530     The Connemara Chamber wishes to highlight that the Clifden Regeneration Plan was submitted to An Bord Pleanála on the 25th October 2024.   The proposed plans include the regeneration of the Clifden Town Centre, changes to the Beach Road Quay and the redevelopment of the Harbour Park. These plans are available for viewing in the Chamber Office windows or in Clifden Library during opening hours. Please visit https://consult.galway.ie/en/consultation/clifden-public-realm-enhancement-scheme for further detailed information and plans.   The Chamber would encourage people to view the plans and if they wish to make a submission on the planning application, please do so prior to 5:30pm on the 6th December 2024. It would also be appreciated if you could inform the Chamber of your views or concerns by emailing [email protected].   Please let me know if you have any questions.   Kind regards,   Conall Joyce Administrator Mobile: […]

Connemara Chamber Request to meet Daragh K. O’Tuairisg and Connemara Pony Breeders Society Copy of Letter Sent 23.8.2024 >> ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Daragh K. Ó Tuairisg President, Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society, The Showgrounds, Clifden, Co. Galway H71 YA09                                                                                                                         22nd August 2024     Dear Mr Ó Tuairisg, I write to you on behalf of the Connemara Chamber committee and its members. The Chamber is very disappointed regarding the recent issues of the Connemara Pony Show from the initial on, off, on again uncertainty and confusion earlier in the year to the developments over recent days. We understand that health and safety is of paramount importance. The Chamber and our members are deeply concerned about the deferral of the riding and jumping classes and its relocation to a venue outside of Connemara. Clifden, the capital of Connemara has been the home of the Connemara Pony Show for decades and provides a vital contribution to the ongoing success of the Connemara Pony and its breed. The Chamber urgently requests a meeting with the Society regarding our concerns and is willing to make any contribution it can to assist the Society to ensure the smooth running of the show in the future.   Thank […]

Clifden Regeneration – 2nd Round of Feedback – Connemara Chamber of Commerce Letter and related documents to LUC & Galway County Council   Connemara Chamber Commence Platform 6, Galway Road, Clifden, Connemara, Co. Galway, H71 VH51   Mr. Tom Jonson – [email protected] LUC (Land Use Consultants Limited) 250 Waterloo Road, London SE1 8RD Mr Ciaran Wynne – [email protected] Galway County Council, Aras an Chontae, Prospect Hill, Galway   3rd May 2023   Re: Second round of public feedback on the Clifden Regeneration Plans   Dear Tom / Ciaran, We thank you for the recent presentation by Tom Johnson (LUC) to Connemara Chamber of Commerce on the revised Clifden Regeneration plans. Following on from this presentation, we once again reviewed the plans in detail and thereafter presented the revised Clifden Regeneration plans to a public meeting. The purpose of this public meeting (held on the 4th of April 2023) was to both present the revised designs and engage in a discussion regarding same. The meeting was once again independently chaired by Dr. Kevin Heanue, Chairperson of Connemara West. Presentation – We made a short presentation of your revised Clifden Regeneration plans which included our analysis – please find enclosed presentation. In-person […]

Dear all, Open Meeting: Changes to Clifden’s Car Parking, Pavements, Outdoor Dining, Playgrounds & More. Tuesday 4th April 2023 – 6.00pm – Clifden Town Hall View the revised plans attached and here:  https://connemarachamber.ie/clifden-town-centre-enhancements-project-presentation/ Connemara Chamber of Commerce is hosting a presentation & open discussion on the revised proposed regeneration plans for Clifden.  This meeting is kindly moderated by Dr. Kevin Heanue  – Chair of Connemara West plc.  All welcome.   Contact: [email protected]  |  (089) 9526795    

Revised plans Clifden Town Centre Enhancements ↓↓↓ View gallery below or view pdf here (16.5mb)  

Clifden Regeneration – 1st Round of Feedback – Connemara Chamber of Commerce Letter and related documents to Galway County Council   Connemara Chamber Commence Platform 6, Galway Road, Clifden, Connemara, Co. Galway, H71 VH51   Mr Ciaran Wynne – [email protected] Galway County Council, Aras an Chontae, Prospect Hill, Galway   26th July 2023   Re: First round of public feedback on the Clifden Regeneration Plans Dear Ciaran, On Thursday 7th July 2022, Connemara Chamber of Commerce hosted a Clifden town meeting regarding the concept plans for Clifden. The purpose of the meeting was to both present the current design concepts and to engage in a discussion regarding the same. The meeting was independently chaired by Dr. Kevin Heanue, Chairperson of Connemara West. Presentation We made a short presentation on the Clifden Regeneration plans covering the Clifden Harbour Park, The Beach Road Quay Area and Clifden Town Centre. In-person Survey At the end of the meeting, a short survey was carried out to get feedback from the towns people. Please find attached/enclosed the results of the survey. Sentiment The overall sentiment of the meeting is that the Clifden Regeneration Project is hugely welcomed and is a once in a lifetime opportunity […]

Note Below: Importance Correspondence from Senior Planner, MKO (consultation appointed to develop a plan for Clifden . Community Survey >> https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ClifdenCommunitySurvey —————————————————————————————– Clifden – Regenerating the Capital of Connemara   Working alongside Galway County Council, a design team, consisting primarily of LUC, Tobin Consulting Engineers and MKO Planning & Environmental Consultants, have recently begun work on a  project which will be transformational for the town of Clifden.   The project will seek to reinforce Clifden’s position as the ‘Capital of Connemara’ through the regeneration of its public realm and greenspaces. The project has been funded by Galway County Council and the Government of Ireland Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF), to address 3 specific locations within the town:   Town Centre Public Realm The Harbour Park The Beach Road Quay Area   These are 3 distinct projects, but very much interlinked, as together they will provide a rejuvenated town centre for everyone to enjoy.   The design team have created a  bespoke project website (https://www.clifdenregeneration.com/) to provide an introduction to the project and a space where the community can be informed about the aims and the vision of the project. The website contains links to Information Boards, a Video explaining […]

Note Below: Importance Correspondence from Senior Planner, MKO (consultation appointed to develop a plan for Clifden . Business Survey >> https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ClifdenBusinessSurvey  —————————————————————————————– Clifden – Regenerating the Capital of Connemara   Working alongside Galway County Council, a design team, consisting primarily of LUC, Tobin Consulting Engineers and MKO Planning & Environmental Consultants, have recently begun work on a  project which will be transformational for the town of Clifden.   The project will seek to reinforce Clifden’s position as the ‘Capital of Connemara’ through the regeneration of its public realm and greenspaces. The project has been funded by Galway County Council and the Government of Ireland Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF), to address 3 specific locations within the town:   Town Centre Public Realm The Harbour Park The Beach Road Quay Area   These are 3 distinct projects, but very much interlinked, as together they will provide a rejuvenated town centre for everyone to enjoy.   The design team have created a  bespoke project website (https://www.clifdenregeneration.com/) to provide an introduction to the project and a space where the community can be informed about the aims and the vision of the project. The website contains links to Information Boards, a Video explaining […]

The following notice appeared on https://galwaytooughterardgreenway.ie/public-consultation/   Galway County Council, in partnership with Galway City Council have commenced the development of a scheme for the Galway to Oughterard Greenway. During the design process, the project team will hold a number of stages of non-statutory public consultation. These consultations may be a combination of public information events and/or publication of elements of the scheme electronically for comment. First Non-Statutory Public Consultation – Study Area and Constraints As part of the work to date, AECOM has defined a study area and are currently in the process of identifying the artificial and natural constraints as well as any external parameters, which relate to this study area. These external parameters include (but are not limited to) economic, engineering and environmental constraints. Galway County Council, in conjunction with Galway City Council now invite the residents of the local area, members of the public and other interested parties to participate in a non-statutory public consultation on the Study Area and Constraints for the Galway to Oughterard Greenway project from Monday 28th February 2022 to Tuesday 22nd March 2022. Your participation in this consultation is important and we would value any feedback which you think should be reviewed […]

The Connemara Chamber is promoting the establishment of a Remote Working Hub in Clifden.  Please click below to view proposal the Chamber has circulated to our elected representatives. Remote Working Hub Presentation

Background to this Survey In Q4 2020, Galway County Council granted permission to a number of businesses in Clifden Co. Galway to establish outdoor seating on parking spaces outside their business. These licences were granted under section 254 of Planning and Development Act and are known as Section 254 licences. These licences lapsed in January 2021 and the Galway County Council is considering the granting of new licences for 2021. The Council asked the Chamber to assist the Council with respect to the licences. The Council has had a significant amount of correspondence from businesses in the town regarding these licences and it is keen to gauge an appetite for similar licences this year with the businesses of the town and has written to the Chamber with the following request: Letter from Galway County Council to Connemara Chamber – 19th February 2021 – View >> In response to the request to consult the entire business community of Clifden, Chamber conducted a survey: Letter from Connemara Chamber to Businesses in Clifden Town – 7th April 2021 – View >> Copy of Parklets Survey – 8th April 2021 – View >> This survey is now closed. Survey Results & Data In April […]

  Connemara Chamber of Commerce’s submission to The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport on the Future Development of Greenways in Ireland In May 2017, The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport issued a Public Consultation Paper on the Future Development of Greenways in Ireland The Connemara Chamber of Commerce has made the following submission in regards to the Future Development of Greenways —————————————————————————————————————————————————————– To:  Sustainable Transport Division, Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leeson Lane, D02 TR60. [email protected] From: Connemara Chamber of Commerce, Market Street, Clifden, Connemara, Co. Galway. [email protected] 14th July 2017 Re: Submissions to the ‘Strategy for the Future Development of Greenways’ To Whom It Concerns, As per the public consultation period of the Strategy for the Future Development of Greenways, we have reviewed the Public Consultation Paper and make the submissions and observations in this document. The Connemara Chamber of Commerce is based in Clifden, Connemara, Co. Galway, has a high membership level and is a very reflective representation of the views of the business community in the Connemara region. Questions for consideration – we have answered your questions in this document – see page 2 onwards. 5 Additional Points to compliment your questions 1. Get it […]

The Minister for Transport Shane Ross has issued a public consultation paper on the development of a new Greenways Strategy. —————————- Strategy for the Future Development of Greenways Public Consultation Paper May 2017 & at http://www.smartertravel.ie/sites/default/files/uploads/2017_05_19%20Publication%20Version_0.pdf  ——————— The Chamber previously sent in a submission on the Dublin to Galway Greenway but will also be sending in a submission on this consultation paper also. If you would like to contribute to the Chambers submission, please email us @ [email protected]   

Connemara Chamber of Commerce’s submission to The Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs on the future of Cleggan and Inishbofin Airstrips and Surrounding Sites     The Dept of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs recently asked for public submissions on the future of the Cleggan and Inishbofin airstrips. The Chamber made the following submissions in regard to the future of both airstrips: Keep the airstrips ‘as airstrips’ and in public ownership – given the considerable investment by the State of €9 million, we ask that the airstrips be kept as airstrips and be retained in state ownership with a view to providing an air service at Cleggan and Inishbofin. Installing a major regional coastguard station at this site along with providing commercial flights (or a private aerodrome) represents a much better long term social and financial return on investment to the State but especially the people of the area.   Low Cost Air Services from Inverin to Cleggan and Inishbofin – we believe it would worth considering (on a trial basis) providing some air services from Inverin to Cleggan and Inishbofin to establish what the demand would be and the viability of future services.   […]

Connemara Chamber of Commerce’s submission to The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport on the Public Consultation on the Draft Dublin to Galway Greenway Plan     On the 16th of December 2016, The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport on the Draft Dublin to Galway Greenway Plan The Chamber made the following submission in regards to the Draft Dublin to Galway Greenway Plan —————————————————————————————————————————————————————– To: Sustainable Transport Division, Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leeson Lane, D02 TR60. [email protected] From: Connemara Chamber of Commerce, Market Street, Clifden, Connemara, Co. Galway. 095 22785 | 087 7784856 [email protected] 27th January 2017 Re: Submissions & Observations to the ‘Draft Dublin to Galway Greenway Plan’. To Whom It Concerns, As per the public consultation period of the Draft Dublin to Galway Greenway Plan, we have reviewed the draft plan and make the submissions and observations in this document. The Connemara Chamber of Commerce is based in Clifden, Connemara, Co. Galway, has a high membership level and is a very reflective representation of the views of the business community in the Connemara region. 6 Major Elements of Our Submission The proposed greenway should be primarily a ‘segregated greenway’ and not primarily an on-road cycle/walking route It’s vital to […]