Galway City Council refuses permission for 227-home scheme at Gort na Bró, Rahoon, Galway city

In context

It is one of 32 housing scheme applications Galway City Council has received in the past twelve months, against 1,638 nationally. Of the 3,067 such applications decided by councils in the past three years, 78% were granted.

What happens next

The applicant, or anyone who made a submission on the application, can appeal the decision to An Coimisiún Pleanála within four weeks of 15 November 2023. If no appeal is lodged, the council’s decision stands and a final grant issues.

The development description, as lodged

Verbatim from the Galway City Council register. This is the source for every figure in the story above.

Permission for LRD which consists of 1:Provision of 227 no. residential apartments in 7 no. blocks comprising the following:a. Block A1: 14 no. 1 bed apartments & 24 no. 2 bed apartments in a block ranging between 3-5 storeys in height; b. Block A2: 25 no. 1 bed apartments & 15 no. 2 bed apartments in a block ranging between 1.5-5 stories in height;c. Block B1: 3 no. 1 bed apartments, 18 no. 2 bed apartments & 3 no. 3 bed apartments in a block ranging between 3-4 storeys in height;d. Block B2: 13 no. 1 bed apartments & 21 no. 2 bed apartments in a block ranging between 3-5 storeys in height.e. Block B3: 5 no. 1 bed apartments, 22 no. 2 bed apartments & 1 no. 1 bed apartment in a block ranging between 3-5 storeys in height;f. Block B4: 11 no. 1 bed apartments & 26 no. 2 bed apartments in a block ranging between 3-5 storeys in height;g. Block B5: 13 no. 1 bed apartments & 13 no. 2 bed apartments in a block ranging between 3-4 storeys in height. 2. Provision of 1,009.5 sq.m of ground floor commercial units as follows:i. Unit A101: 411.7 sq.m; ii. Unit A102: 138.2 sq.m; iii. Unit B201: 99.7 sq.m; iv. Unit B202: 133.9 sq.m; v. Unit B3013: 226.2 sq.m. 3. Provision of a Community Facility (117.8 sq.m); 4. Provision of Tenant Amenity Facilities (99.4 sq.m); 5. Provision of a Childcare Facility (335.5 sq.m) as well as an external secure play area (225.8 sq.m); 6. Provision of 49 no. surface car parking spaces including EV charging spaces; 7. Provision of bicycle parking comprising 114 no. short stay and 436 no. long stay spaces; 8. Provision of realigned road between Gort na Bró and Gateway Retail Park Road; 9. Change of use of existing underground void to 181 bay underground car park; 10. Provision of shared communal and private open spaces, bin storage, public lighting, site landscaping, services, signage, substation, and all associated site development works required to accommodate the proposed development. An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIAR) and Natura Impact Statement (NIS) have been prepared in respect of the proposed development