Port ruling first step in plans to draw 200,000 liner tourists

BY ENDA CUNNINGHAM

Up to 200,000 tourists per year – providing a cash injection of up to €50 million – are on track to visit the new Galway Port from 2015, after An Bord Pleanála ruled the redevelopment project can be considered as Strategic Infrastructural Development.

Around 50 cruise liners each year – some of which can carry 8,000 passengers – are projected to dock at the new Port each year, where it is hoped work can begin early in 2012.

There will also be a new ‘Waterfront City’, with a marina and berthing facilities for more than 200 leisure craft.

The Board ruled last week that the planning application for the overall €200m plan – to be completed over the next seven years – can be lodged directly with them, rather than going to Galway City Council. 

Eamon Bradshaw, Chief Executive Officer with the Galway Harbour Company told the Connacht Tribune he is delighted with the decision, and hopes to submit the planning application next February.Within the next fortnight, Galway Harbour Company will enter a ‘scoping exercise’ with the Board, where the full details of the four-phase plan, the detail of the planning application and associated reports will be provided.

The Board will then provide a report, and there are two public consultation meeting proposed for January, before the finalised application can be submitted in January.

An Bórd Pleanála can call a public oral hearing on the application if they wish, while they also have the authority to ignore existing City Development Plan guidelines.

“The reality is, we’re ready to go to scoping in the next fortnight. The Board evaluate everything and report back to us. We hold public meetings, and then submit the plans. We would hope for a decision at the end of 2011 or early 2012,” said Mr Bradshaw.

The €50m ‘Stage 1 development involves relocating the existing ‘docks’ outside to an outer port – this will allow for the rejuvenation of the Inner Port and the creation of a new ‘Cultural Quarter’ for the city.Included in the plans for a new ‘Waterfront City’ are a new marina with around 200 berths and a terminal building for cruise liners. ”The city will be able to take in bigger oil ships and the biggest cruise liners in the world. We are in constant contact with cruise operators in the States and Europe, and we are on target for 2015,” said Mr Bradshaw.

The first phase will also allow for a rail link to accommodate freight and the construction of a quay for the inshore fishing fleet.The majority of the project will have to be funded by the Harbour Company itself – much of that is expected to come through their 32 acres at the existing Docks, which will be linked to the redevelopment of Ceannt Station.

There has also been strong interest expressed by international investors, while the company can also develop the land as a Public Private Partnership.