Go-ahead for six-storey Galway Knocknacarra apartments
Planning permission has been granted for the construction of 40 apartments in Knocknacarra, next to the junction of Clybaun Road and the Western Distributor Road – despite strong opposition from neighbouring residents.
Highcross Developments Ltd, the company of publican John Mannion, has been given clearance to demolish an existing unoccupied detached house and replace it with two apartment blocks up to six storeys high.
Galway city planners had previously refused planning permission for a restaurant, gastro-bar, retail units and six apartments on the site.
The new plan, for which permission was sought over a year ago, entails the construction of a six-storeys-high block of 22 apartments and another five storeys high, with 18 apartments.
There will be 38 three-bedroom apartments of different sizes that will accommodate between three and five people each, and a further two single-bedroom units.
More than 50 objections and submissions were made by individual residents of local estates to the planning authority, including a submission from the Hawthorn Place Residents’ Association through their chair, City Councillor Alan Curran..
A City Council planning report revealed that there had been 40 submissions made in relation to the initial application for planning permission, and a further 16 in response to further information supplied by the developers at the request of city planners.
Most of the objections to the development being given the go-ahead were related to its height at up to six storeys, and concerns about overlooking and overshadowing of properties to the north, in Hawthorn Place.
Objectors also claimed there were insufficient carparking spaces which would result in an overspill of parking into adjacent estates, that the new apartments would generate traffic congestion, and exacerbate problems in the past with sewers in the area.
However, Galway City Council has indicated that it is satisfied that the proposed development, including some revisions made during the planning assessment process, meets the requirements of planning regulations.
The local authority has laid down a number of conditions, including a stipulation that the apartments must not be used for short-term lettings.
The developers must erect 1.8m-high screens, glazed in obscured glass, at the edges of the balconies on the northern side, a piece of artwork must be provided within the development, and full road width realignment must be undertaken on the section of the Clybaun Road which the development fronts onto.
A contribution of €273,870 must be paid to the City Council towards the cost of provision of public services in the area which facilitate the development.