Council demands flood risk assessment for retail site

Plans for a multi-million euro retail, office and apartment development on the Headford Road have stalled, after planners demanded a flood risk assessment for the site.

According to the local authority, because the four-storey development on the half-acre waste ground site beside IMC Cinema includes apartments, an evacuation plan would be required in the event of flooding.

In 2011, Almane Properties Ltd – operated by the Barry family who own Motorpark as well Galway Retail Park and other property investments – was granted permission for a new 2,355 square metre development on the site, including 840 sq m of ground floor retail space, 810 sq m of first floor offices and 4 two-bed duplex apartments (totalling 706 sq m) on the second and third floors, as well as 14 temporary parking spaces.

However, the permission is due to expire next May, so the applicants have sought a five-year extension of duration.

They indicated they expect the building to be completed “between 2017-19”.

“Around the time permission was granted, the market for this type of accommodation collapsed and finance was no longer available for construction,” the application reads.

However, planners have sought a flood risk assessment for the site, and given the applicants four weeks to respond, or the application will be deemed withdrawn.

“The site is located in an area identified as having a high probability of flooding (Galway City Flood Zone A).

“The applicant is requested to carry out a site-specific flood risk assessment to clarify in detail any mitigation measures intended to reduce or eliminate the risks due to flooding in the context of the nature of the permitted development which includes apartments and which may, therefore, require specific evacuation,” planners said.

The developers hope the new building will help the retail park act as a ‘gateway’ between a redeveloped Galway Shopping Centre and the city centre.

“The development caters for the future proposed road widening and new roads infrastructure proposed. The overall design of the proposal acknowledges the future urban structure of the area.

“The proposal represents a high quality mixed-use scheme incorporating retail, office and residential uses that will ensure vibrancy within the new quarter.

“It is contended that the development will provide a suitable foil for future development while also providing an appropriate structure which will provide and cater for footfall activity linking the existing Galway Shopping Centre (and its future redevelopment) and Galway Retail Park fully into the city centre,” the original application reads.