NAMA plan seeks to address chronic housing shortage west of city

NAMA has sought permission to develop more than 170 homes to address the chronic shortage of new residential properties on the western side of the city.

The last tranche of new homes to go on the market in Knocknacarra – 21 houses at Maolín on the Ballymoneen Road – sold out within hours when they were launched at the end of last month, because of the level of pent-up demand. The Burkeway Homes development was also funded by NAMA.

Now, NAMA has sought permission to develop a nearby 14.5-acre site at Ballyburke for the construction of 172 residential units, a creche and 378 parking spaces.

Con Cronin and Roger Keogh of GVA Donal O Buachalla were appointed receivers to the land – which had been owned by Declan Gardiner and Joe McGrath – by the National Asset Management Agency in 2012.

Now, they have applied to Galway City Council on NAMA’s behalf for the demolition of an existing house and other outbuilding on the site, and to build a new development.

The landscaping plan for the site includes a central area of public open space is designed to incorporate both formal and informal play areas, alongside a community gathering point which would have a covered pavilion with BBQ facilities and a picnic area.

It is proposed to build out the development in three phases, and the applicants have indicated they will hand over a total of 17 homes (12 apartments and five terraced units) to housing agency Co-operative Housing Ireland to meet their obligations under social housing regulations.

“The proposed development will assist Galway City Council in meeting its commitment to provide for residential development and for associated support development, which will ensure the protection of existing residential amenity and will contribute to sustainable residential neighbourhoods,” the application reads.
For the rest of this story, 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.