REVAMP OF GALWAY SHOPPING CENTRE GIVEN GREEN LIGHT

Date Published: 07-Oct-2008

A total revamp of the Galway Shopping centre on the Headford road has been given the green light by city councillors, by a majority vote.The decision to grant planning permission for a new urban village at the site was made at last evening's meeting of the city council.The new development will mean the demolition of the existing shopping centre to make way for shops, restaurants, leisure centre, 228 apartments, municipal art gallery and a multi storey car park of just under 2,000 spaces.It will also mean closing the existing road into the shopping centre from the Headford road roundabout and the construction of a new access road from Sean Mulvoy road through the sports ground behind.The 140 million euro development, which has been in the pipeline for over five years, was proposed by Dublin Company Lindat Ltd.There are a total of 67 conditions attached to planning permission, which relate mostly to noise and dust pollution during construction.The development means the creation of between three and four hundred construction jobs, as well as an extra 1,000 new jobs added to the existing number currently working at the shopping centre when the building is complete.At last evening's city council meeting, the motion was carried by a majority 12 votes to 2 with Councillor Declan McDonnell abstaining from the vote because of legal advice.