Galway Bay fm newsroom - Galway City Council has backed a plan to lease a portion of the former Galway Airport site to a film industry group for 20 years.
Under the plan, Spiddal firm Danú Media would redevelop the two existing airport hangers for film production and as an exhibition and arts and culture venue.
The proposal to lease 4.6 acres of the Carnmore airport site was hotly debated by councillors at this week's Local Authority meeting.
Elected representatives felt in general that it's a positive plan in terms of promoting the media industry locally, creating new jobs and giving creators the chance to work in Galway rather than commuting to film studios on the east coast and in Limerick.
A number of concerns were raised, however, with several councillors questioning whether it's the best use of the airport site and if the 20 year lease would make it difficult for the council to re-establish an air service from Carnmore if there is sufficient demand for an airport in the city in the future.
Speaking in response, Acting Director of Services for Economic Development Brian Barrett said it will be a joint lease, as the airport site is co-owned by the city and county councils and it will a be a 20 year lease with and option to break after five years.
Mr. Barrett added that at this point all the councillors needed to do was agree to the proposal in principle, so Danú Media can begin preparing a planning application.
Meanwhile, the City Manager Brendan McGrath said the plan would only go ahead if both the City and County Councils support it and if Danú gets planning permission.
Fianna Fáil Councillor Mike Crowe proposed supporting the motion, with the caveat that full details of the plans for the site and the lease agreement are presented to councillors for their consideration in due course and this motion was carried successfully by his fellow Councillors.
