€200m new harbour plan set to go on public display

Date Published: 13-Jan-2011

BY ENDA CUNNINGHAM

Galway Harbour Company will showcase the €200 million plan for the new Galway Port during a special public consultation process next week.

The consultants charged with drawing up the plans – still expected to get underway early next year – will be on hand to discuss the redevelopment proposals with members of the public ahead of a formal planning application being lodged directly with An Bord Pleanála in April.

The two-day event will take place at the Harbour Centre Pier building on Friday, January 21 from 2pm to 8pm and Saturday, January 22 from noon to 6pm.

Harbour Company Chief Executive Eamon Bradshaw said public consultation was an important part of drawing up the plans.

The project, which will be completed in four phases over seven years, will see the creation of a new ‘Waterfront City’, with up to 200,000 tourists arriving each year on around 50 cruise liners.

“The Harbour Company has always endeavoured to keep the public abreast of all details pertaining to the proposed development via the company website. We believe the public consultation process will provide an opportunity for the public to interact with members of the Harbour executive, as well as the main consultants involved, so that any and all technical queries can be addressed and dealt with,” said Mr Bradshaw.

He said the vast majority of Galwegians support the development and its “long-term benefits for the city and county”.

The €50m ‘Stage’ 1 development involves relocating the existing ‘docks’ outside to an outer port – this will allow for the rejuvenation of the Inner Port and the creation of a new ‘Cultural Quarter’ for the city.

For more on this story, see the Galway City Tribune.