Fine Gael County Councillor Peter Feeney has reacted angrily to this, saying Cllr O Brolcháin's statement would "put county councillors on the alert" that a city 'land-grab' is on the agenda.

"The idea of a 'land-grab' by the city is part of the reason we'd be very cautious about giving the whole Ardaun concept the green light," said Cllr Feeney.

He said he had spoken to almost all the other county councillors, who had echoed his concerns for towns outside the city commuter zone, such as Gort, Loughrea, Tuam and Athenry.

"The county's biggest town is Ballinasloe with a population of about 6,000 people. Now we're talking about building a new town with 20,000 people – that would dwarf any urban area we have in the county.

"We should be creating mini-economies in these towns", he said.

Progressive Democrats Senator Ciarán Cannon, who last week echoed Cllr Feeney's calls for caution on the project, said he was "surprised at" Niall O Brolcháin comments.

"I am surprised at Niall. As a member of the Green Party he should be supporting regional development, at a local level as well as a national level," he said.

"We need to see if the rapid expansion of the city is the best thing for the county," he added.

Senator Cannon said that there was more support for the plan in the city but that the decision rested with both councils. He said he believed the vast majority of county councillors, including the three PD councillors, "don't believe [Ardaun] is the solution".

A report currently being finalised is expected to be on the agenda for the county council's April meeting.

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