Knocknacarra sites on market with €3.3m price tag

Adjoining residential and commercial development sites in Knocknacarra have already attracted international interest – despite only being on the market for a week.

The four-acre and two-acre sites owned by Florence Thomas at the corner of Ballymoneen Road and the Western Distributor Road are on the market for a total of €3.3 million.

The two-acre plot is the site where Lidl was refused planning permission twice in two years for a supermarket.

Auctioneer Joe Greaney of Keane Mahony Smith told the Galway City Tribune that there has already been a lot of interest in both sites.

He said the four acres of residential land would be suitable for up to 40 two, three, and four-bed homes or even higher density if the developer decided on apartments. However, there is no appetite in the market for apartments at the moment.

“There is a lot of interest in residential development land in Knocknacarra, all new houses there are pre-sold, so any development on this site would be sold off the plans,” said Mr Greaney.

He added that there have been local, national and even international queries in relation to the commercially-zoned site which adjoins the residential land.

“You would be looking at a mix of retail, offices and apartments for that site. We have had two very specific queries from parties with a niche requirement who are looking at the site,” said Mr Greaney.

Last November, An Bord Pleanála refused permission for a second time for a controversial Lidl supermarket on the two-acre site.

The Board said there was no justification for a discount supermarket and said it would seriously injure the visual amenity of the area. The Lidl plans met with huge opposition from local residents – a series of objections to the application were lodged, as well as a petition with more than 130 signatures.