Master Plan demanded for Ceannt Station Development

GALWAY City Council has demanded that Iarnród Éireann prepare a Master Plan for the €800 million redevelopment proposals at Ceannt Station before it will consider new plans for a scaled-back makeover there.

In January, Iarnród Éireann sought permission for a multimillion euro overhaul of the station – including extended platforms, modern retail units and glazed entrances.

The application represented just a fraction of the €800 million plan to create a ‘New Galway’ on the 15-acre site, which were abandoned by the National Transport Authority in 2012 after failing to attract investment.

However, the local authority has said it wants an overall framework plan for the Ceannt site before it can consider the application.

The current plans involve substantial demolition works, and the construction of new entrance plazas and an extension to the train concourse to make the station more passenger-friendly”.

The original plans for Ceannt Station were expected to create around 3,000 permanent jobs, as well as hundreds during construction.

However, only two property investment funds in the world would have had the resources to carry out a project of its scale – one had no interest in the scheme, while the other could not raise funding.

The plans involved around 600,000 square feet of retail space, more than 200 residential units, bars, cafés, restaurants and cultural space.

At the moment, Iarnród Éireann wants to construct a new 1,000 square foot single storey glazed entrance building on the northern side of the station and an extension to the north-eastern bay platform.

The plan involves some demolition work and the removal of walls within the train station to provide additional ticket purchase facilities, enlarged concourse areas, new toilet facilities and new ticket inspector accommodation.

However, the local authority has said it requires a Master Plan for the future of the entire site before it can progress the application’s status.

It refers to the current City Development Plan policy that states: “In advance of detailed proposals a master plan/framework plan shall be prepared for the overall site which will address critical issues including transport requirements, urban design context, maximum building heights, appropriate use mixes, high-quality public realm, architectural heritage and likely phasing of construction.”