Plans for agri-tourism centre in Williamstown

PLANS for an agri-tourism and accommodation facility on the outskirts of Williamstown village have been submitted to Galway County Council.

The Sustainable Food and Wellbeing Academy Ltd have lodged a planning application for the development in the townland of Kilnalag along the R360.

The academy had plans for a larger agri-tourism and accommodation facility nearby, in the adjacent townland of Carrowneany, refused by the local authority last year.

The project is to be co-funded by the Government and the EU Just Transition Fund (JTF) on behalf of the applicant.

A shed on the Kilnalag property is to be converted into a demonstration kitchen and an extension built for sanitary purposes. A glasshouse, polyethylene tunnels and hen coop would be used alongside the demonstration kitchen.

The facility would have five eco cabins, accommodating two people each, as well as a wellness meditation deck connected by a walkway. There are plans to resurface an existing farmyard to provide for car parking and driveways, and an EV parking point would also be installed.

Local authority planners have until December 10 to decide on the proposal.