An Bord Pleanála have recently approved twin developments in Galway Docks which will see four office and retail buildings built at a proposed cost of €104 million as well as for an adjacent student residence building to house 345 students.
Both projects had initially been given the go-ahead in early 2017 but construction had been delayed after several protests concerning the project had been lodged with An Bord Pleanála.
An Taisce objected to the initial plans, saying that, although a student residence was part of the application, the main proposal for the four buildings comprising a development titled 'The Bonham Quay Project' had not allocated at least 30% of its space for residential use - a figure which had previously been suggested by Galway City Council guides for future developments.
“Residential use within the city centre, especially in a key proposed regeneration area, must conform to environmental, housing and community beneficial values and in the creation of sustainable neighbourhoods,” it said.
However, despite this, and several other groups objecting to developments, both projects were given the go ahead yesterday after the oppositions were overturned by An Bord Pleanála.
Bonham Quay. An Bórd Pleanála order granted. #bonhamquay #galway #regeneration #development #mixeduse #urban pic.twitter.com/hQar5L60xH
— Edward.ie (@Edwarddotie) September 4, 2018
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Despite there being limited information available about the student residence planned, it is a much welcome project for a city where accommodation for students is already at a premium. Particularly so given that around this time last year, a suggestion was being mooted to bring in vast residential barges for use as student accommodation. It can only be hoped that the price asked of each student for a bed there won't follow the increasingly exorbitant rates found with some other national providers.
A spokesperson for Gerry Barrett's company, Mr. Barrett's Edward Capital who're behind The Bonham Quay project, described the decision as being "a huge vote of confidence in Galway."
H/T: Connacht Tribune
