Land Development Agency lodges plans for 356 homes at Galway Port
Kenneth Fox
The Land Development Agency (LDA) has lodged a planning application for 356 new cost-rental and social homes in the inner harbour at Galway Port.
The LDA is the State's affordable housing delivery body, and the homes at Amharc Atalia are proposed to be developed on land being transferred to the Agency by Galway Harbour Company (GHC).
The proposed LDA development will include 172 one-bed, 169 two-bed and 15 three-bed apartments across four blocks ranging from six to 13 storeys.
The plans, which have been submitted to Galway City Council, also include a new public plaza, a landscaped coastal walking path, communal gardens, play areas, retail units and a creche. Subject to planning approval, construction is scheduled to commence in Q4 2027.
Ideally situated on the waterfront at Galway's inner harbour, the proposed development would provide much-needed affordable rental and social housing in a location less than a 10-minute walk from the city centre.
The housing would also be conveniently located near primary and secondary schools, the University of Galway, University Hospital Galway, and Eyre Square, all of which are accessible via existing bus routes.
A provision for bicycle and car park spaces at the surface level are also included in the plans.
A finalised masterplan for the redevelopment of the entire inner harbour lands was submitted with the planning application and was prepared by Scott Tallon Walker Architects for the Port of Galway.
It includes wider proposals to develop the area into a new, sustainable and mixed-use city centre urban quarter.
The LDA’s planning application follows a public consultation process on both the wider masterplan and Amharc Atalia, which the LDA and GHC launched in May of this year.
Phelim O’Neill, director of development at the Land Development Agency, said: “The submission of this planning application represents another significant milestone for LDA housing delivery in Galway.
"If approved, this impressive development will provide high-quality, waterfront apartments in the heart of the city, in line with the LDA’s focus on delivering the right homes in the right places.
"I’d like to thank Galway Harbour Company and Galway City Council for helping us progress this important development.”
Conor O’Dowd, chief executive of Galway Harbour Company, said: "We are working to deliver a new and sustainable quarter in Galway City, and it is vital that this includes new housing, in addition to commercial outlets, recreational and cultural facilities along the water’s edge.
"I’d like to thank the LDA for working with us on this ambitious project and for proposing a high-quality development in what is going to be a wonderful location.”
