Galway City Council has refused planning permission for the development of a block of short-term let apartments in Salthill.
Ranchville Ltd sought approval to demolish two existing blocks of apartments and build a new infill apartment complex in its place at the end of the Beach Avenue cul de sac off the Upper Salthill Road.
The 4-5 storey building would have contained 19 apartments meant for short term letting.
The project would also have involved revised vehicles access onto Quincentennial Drive and surface level parking facing onto the same, with a total of 11 spaces.
The developer argued that this is a sufficient amount of parking, as most of the tourists and other guest staying in short-term let apartments use modes of transport other than a car.
Two submissions objecting the development were received by the city council, with concerns that it would overlook or block like to neighbouring properties, and negatively impact on the character of Beach Avenue.
In a request for further information the city council requested that the developer submit a revised proposal with an overall reduced plot density, and to reduce the height of the building’s central section so that it would have less of an impact on other homes on Beach Avenue.
However, according to the council’s planning inspector, no revised proposal was ever submitted, with Ranchville Ltd stating that the density and height of the building was appropriate.
The council refused permission on four grounds, saying the the proposed design of the building “detracts from the existing high quality urban and natural environment at this location”.
The council also said that the building would overshadow neighbouring properties, and that it lacked sufficient open space, with the site layout “defined and dominated by the access road”.
Lastly, the city council said that the proposal lacks sufficient off street parking and would be likely to “exasperate and induce illegal and dangerous parking” in the area.
