Former parochial house earmarked for enterprise centre in Moylough is on hold

By SIOBHÃÂN HOLLIMAN PLANS to turn the former parochial house in Moylough into an enterprise centre have been put on hold. The Archdiocese of Tuam, which owns the house, has agreed to allow the large two-storey property to be used a resource centre by the local enterprise group.[/private] However an appeal against Galway Co Council's decision to grant planning permission for the change has been lodged. Local resident Michael Dempsey of Meadow Court has argued in his submission to An Bord Pleanála that the change will result in an invasion of his privacy and that the first-floor windows of the house overlook his property. Mr Dempsey, who also objected to the plans through Galway Co Council, feels the proposed change of use is inappropriate as the property is in a residential area. The Co Council granted permission for the changes subject to a number of conditions. The planner's report stated that the use of a large residence as a community resource centre would provide many benefits to the local community and that it has ample car parking. The proposed centre would be run by Moylough Enterprise Ltd, a non-profit organisation which aims to provide a range of community-based services as well as a meeting place for community-based groups and organisations. It has one staff member who is employed through a Rural Social Scheme and it hopes to employ another person in the near future. Moylough Enterprise has stressed that it is not a commercial venture and that it will offer a variety of services through the centre, such as administration assistance for local groups and computer access.[private]