A group of protesters from Clifden, Co Galway, has signalled its intention to appeal to An Bord Pleanβla against any future planning application for residential development on a recently rezoned scenic site on the Sky Road.
Galway County Council voted to rezone the 1.3 acres of land at Cloghaunard from agricultural to residential to allow for the construction of four houses despite objections from local residents.
Mr Tom Kearns, the owner of the land, which is listed as a high scenic amenity in the County Galway Development Plan, had requested a material contravention to allow the development to go ahead.
A previous decision by the council to allow the construction of four houses on the site at Cloghaunard two years ago was overturned by An Bord Pleanβla on a number of grounds.
These included the adverse impact on the scenic amenity of the area and concerns that the sewage-treatment system proposed would constitute a danger to public health.
The Sky Road Action Group had been lobbying councillors in the weeks running up to the vote on rezoning and had picketed council meetings to draw attention to their campaign.
They contended that Sky Road was the most important scenic drive in Connemara and the rezoning would permanently destroy what was a classic view of Clifden.
They claim the Sky Road is one of the main reasons why so many visitors are attracted to the area.
Any development allowed there would ruin a natural attraction.
The spokeswoman for the Save Our Sky Road Committee, Ms Eileen Mannion-Mullen, said they intend to appeal against any application for permission to develop the site at Cloghaunard to the Planning Appeals Board.