Galway City Council has approved plans for a significant commercial and residential redevelopment around the Seapoint casino in Salthill.
Oldside Enterprises has received planning permission to demolish several buildings and extensions along the Upper Salthill Road.
In their place the developer intends to build new apartments, a café, and an extension to the existing Seapoint business.
The plans call for the demolition of a three storey building at 185 Upper Salthill, and all but the roof and front facade of 183 Upper Salthill, as well as the four storey apartment building to the rear of 183, facing onto Quincentennial Drive
In its place the developer plans to build a three storey building, with an extension to Seapoint on the ground and first floors, with six apartments and a rooftop terrace on the top floor.
There are several single storey extensions built onto the Seapoint casino, facing onto the promenade, which are also to be demolished.
To replace them, the developer intends to build a three storey building with a café at the ground floor, and a three bedroom duplex apartment on the upper floors.
This is the second time Oldside Enterprise has put plans to revamp Seapoint and its surrounds to the city council.
Previous plans were rejected by the city council, and again by An Bord Pleanála in April 2022, due to concerns about the design of the development.
The board said that the design wouldn’t respect the existing character of the adjoining properties on Upper Salthill, or contribute to improving the public realm at such a visually prominent location.
In this fresh application, the council inspector notes that “discordant” elements facing onto the Prom from the previous plans have been removed.
Pre-planning meetings had been held with council officials between June and November of last year to address issues with the appearance and bulky nature of the rejected design.
Planning permission was granted by the city council with a total of 17 conditions attached.
One condition stated that Oldside Enterprise must pay a contribution of €36,700 towards the cost of services facilitating the development.
An Archaeological Impact Assessment report of the site must also be carried out before any works can take place on the project.
The council also stipulated that none of the residential units in this development can be used for short-term letting.
