One of the great views of Connemara is under threat from a proposed new residential development in Clifden, according to locals.
The Clifden Pastoral Council and the parish priest, Father James Ronayne, have lodged an objection with An Bord Pleanála against the proposed development of 20 houses and apartments on the Westport Road, adjacent to the Catholic church.
Planning permission was granted to Mr Pádraic Flaherty by Galway County Council with a number of conditions attached.
However, local people who had objected to the initial application were not satisfied and decided to appeal the local authority's decision.
The chairman of the Clifden Pastoral Council, Mr Pat Walsh said one of the greatest views of Clifden was from the Sky Road looking down to the Protestant and Catholic churches. The proposed development would be visible between the two, he claimed.
Mr Flaherty has already built an estate of about 50 houses, The Spires, on a lower-lying section in the same area, but the new development is proposed for a more elevated site above the river.
