New retail project planned for Headford Road

Revised plans by one of the country’s biggest builders for a new retail and apartment development on the Headford Road have been submitted to the City Council.

Last year, Cleverson Ltd – a company ultimately controlled by members of hotelier and developer John Lally’s family – sought permission to develop the former Esso station site adjacent to the Dyke Road carpark

Meanwhile, the owner of another adjacent site – Michael Barry of Almane Properties – has indicated that his four-storey development between the Esso site and the IMC Cinema is set to be completed between 2017 and 2019.

The Cleverson plans were for a four storey building with 2 two-storey retail units and four duplex residential units overhead, along with a roof terrace.

However, planners said that while the proposal had merits in that it represented a welcome mix of uses, they expressed concerns about the fact no parking spaces were planned – where there would normally be a requirement for 50 spaces.

They also expressed concerns that the design of the building – and proposed blue or black brick – would be unacceptable.

Planner also sought a Flood Risk Assessment for the site.

The Council said the development would also impact on the ‘aspiration’ to accommodate a significant cultural plaza on adjoining lands.

The applicants were given six months to revise the scheme, but subsequently requested a three-month extension and have now submitted new plans.

There is no longer vehicular access onto the Headford Road, and the building line there has been stepped back in line with possible future building lines created by the development of the adjoining vacant site and the redevelopment of Galway Shopping Centre.

For more on the two Headford Road developments, see this week’s Galway City Tribune