Planning permission has been granted for a mixed use development in Knocknacarra consisting of a restaurant, two retail outlets, and apartments.
Highcross Developments Limited plans to demolish an existing two storey building on the site at the junction of the Clybaun Road and Western Distributor Road and construct a part three storey, part four storey building in its place.
This would include a bar and restaurant on the ground and first floors of the building, with two neighbourhood retail units also on the ground floor.
The second, third, and fourth floors of the building will be for residential use, containing six apartments in total.
Parking on site would be provided for with 72 car parking spaces and 20 bicycles spaces.
Last August the city council requested that the original plans be redesigned to take into account the potential conversion of the Clybaun Road roundabout to a signalised junction.
A report was submitted by the developer in May of this year stating how the junction could be accommodated in a future scenario.
A total of 51 public submissions were received by the city council in relation to this development, which were half and half divided between objections and letters of support.
The areas of concern raised in the objections included the scale and density of the proposed development, the potential for anti-social behaviour, the largely commercial nature of the proposal on lands zoned residential.
Locals were also concerned about potential overlooking of neighbouring properties, negative impact on residential amenity in the area, and inadequate parking provision which could cause illegal street parking, as well as potential traffic hazards.
Letters of support said that Knocknacarra currently lacks adequate bar and restaurant facilities near its residential areas, and that this location would provide a suitable local venue for functions.
They also said that having it in the area would reduce travel around the city and make for a more sustainable neighbourhoods.
In order to approve the project the council required the developer to remove a vehicular entrance onto the Western Distributor Road from the plans, and amend the design of the car park to provide more turning space for delivery vehicles.
Galway City Council granted planning permission with a total of 25 conditions attached.
