An Bord Pleanála has refused planning permission for a proposed new large animal veterinary clinic in Co. Galway due to the potential impact on water quality.

Western Veterinary proposed to construct the clinic and yard at Ardbear, Clifden, along with a wastewater treatment system, percolation area, internal road and car parking.

The proposal also included the realignment of an access junction with the R341, to widen the local access road and the construction of a footpath.

Western Veterinary, who are are currently based at the Clifden Mart site, stated they serve the agricultural community within the wider Connemara area.

The proposed development would only serve large farm animals, as well as providing treatment for horses.

They added that their current site is sub-optimal for treating or housing of large farm animals in particular, which are often treated within the open car park area.

They said that the aim of the development would be to make Clifden a central hub for veterinary care for the farming industry by investing in a veterinary care centre.

In April 2023, Galway County Council granted permission for the proposed new clinic, located approximately 700m south of Clifden town centre, subject to 24 conditions.

This decision was appealed to An Bord Pleanála by two families who reside in proximity tothe proposed 0.85 ha site.

Among the issues raised in the appeal were that the proposal would have an adverse impact upon residential amenities, would increase traffic and would result in a devaluation of local properties.

The submissions also outlined that the proposal would be visually prominent, out of scale and character at this location and would establish an undesirable precedent.

In response, Western Veterinary said that the land is zoned for agricultural purposes, on which a veterinary use is open for consideration.

As the facility would be used to service large farm animals and horses they said that an out-of-town location was needed.

As part of revised proposals, the proposed veterinary clinic, which was designed as an agricultural style building, had been relocated further east within the site, while the finished floor and ridge levels had also both been reduced

A nutrient management plan (NMP) had also been submitted estimating the quantities of dry bedded waste and wash waters that will be generated by the development.

The applicants stated that traffic levels would be low, with between 5 and 10 jeeps and trailers expected to visit the clinic daily in the busy months from March to June.

They added that for remainder of the year it would be dependent on emergency cases/sick animals and for long periods of time there would be no appointments or at most 3 or 4 jeeps and trailers per day.

An Bord Pleanála inspector Fergal Ó Bric said that in principle, the proposed site could be deemed suitable, subject to a suitable design and layout being presented, as well as matters in relation to traffic, water and wastewater services and residential amenity being adequately addressed.

The inspector stated that the residential amenity of neighbouring residents would not be adversely impacted by the proposals and noted that the proposed clinic would be over 150m away from the nearest houses.

He said that the inclusion of conditions around opening hours, landscaping and the omission of external floodlighting would mean the development would also not adversely impact the amenities of the area.

The inspector noted that a senior engineer in Galway County Council's Roads and Transportation Section raised no objections to the access, parking and upgraded junction arrangements, subject to a number of conditions.

As part of the development, the applicants proposed to install a secondary wastewater treatment system and soil polishing filter on the site.

However, the inspector, who also prepared a supplementary report at the request of the board, said that he was not fully satisfied that the wastewater treatment proposals would not adversely impact upon groundwater.

The board decided to refuse permission, generally in accordance with the inspector's recommendation.

Given the soil conditions, the existence of bedrock near the surface within the appeal site and the high water table, the board was not satisfied, based on the information provided, that effluent from the development could be satisfactorily treated and/or disposed of on site.

"The proposed development would therefore be prejudicial to public health and contrary to the policy objective NHB 3 of the Galway County Development Plan 2022-28, regarding the protection of European sites," it said.

The board added that it cannot be satisfied that the proposed development individually, or in combination with other plans or projects would not be likely to have a significant effect on the Connemara Bogs Complex Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

"In such circumstances, the board is precluded from granting permission," it said.