Decision Imminent on Shopping Centre Revamp

Date Published: 15-Aug-2008

CITY planning officials could reach a decision on the future of the proposed €140million ‘Liffey Valley’ makeover for the Galway Shopping Centre within the next week.

The plan — which will involve closing the existing entrance off the Headford Road roundabout and replacing the roundabout itself with a intelligent ‘super junction’ — has been with planners since the end of 2004, but has hit a series of legal and planning stumbling blocks, as well as massive oppostition from existing businesses within the shopping centre.

Planners are currently studying further information submitted by Lindat Limited — the company behind the proposals — and a decision is due on August 24.

The plans will see the size of the centre quadruple, with Marks & Spencer and Debenhams joining Tesco and Penneys as anchor tenants, as well as 90 smaller retail units and almost 230 residential units.

However, roads and traffic have proved major problems for the developers, with three main proposals now being in place.

First the removal of the controversial…