Meeting hears of concerns over apartments plan

From this week’s Galway City Tribune – The lack of amenities, the extra traffic generated and the density of the development is driving a groundswell of opposition to the plan to build 330 apartments for rent in Knocknacarra.

Following a public meeting last Monday, Councillor John Connolly said there were real concerns about the implications of the planned development on a site adjacent to the Gateway Retail Park and Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh off the Western Distributor Road.

Glenveagh Living lodged the plans with An Bord Pleanála three weeks ago under the Strategic Housing Development (SHD) process to develop five separate apartment blocks on a 2.4 hectare site, currently the Rhatigan builders’ compound and green area beside the gaelscoil. The blocks range in height from four storey to seven storeys.

Glenveagh Living, which is part of Glenveagh Properties, signed an agreement last year with US investment fund Oaktree Capital – the owner of the retail park which is home to Dunnes and B&Q – to develop rental units.

Cllr Connolly (FF) said nobody at the meeting spoke in favour of the residential complex, which was also attended by Independent Councillor Donal Lyons.

“It’s a real break from the established pattern of residential development. There’s mixed development elsewhere in Knocknacarra – I’m living there since 2004 and have seen the development around me and have always accepted it’s in keeping with that was planned for the area but this is radically different.

“I don’t believe in stopping or trying to halt development for political purposes – I understand it’s democracy that the owners can develop their land but this is 332 units on just 2.4 hectares – for the entire Bóthar Stiofáin there are 300 units.”
This is a preview only. To read the rest of this article, see this week’s Galway City Tribune. Buy a digital edition of this week’s paper here, or download the app for Android or iPhone.