A planning application has today been lodged for the eight-acre infill development site adjacent to Ceannt Train Station in Galway city centre that will see the creation of eleven new streets and four new civic spaces in a development that will create a new neighbourhood in the heart of the city.
The neighbourhood, deriving its name from an historic name for the area is to be known as Augustine Hill, and will deliver 376 homes in a mixed-use expansion of the city centre. The planning application (one of the most extensive ever submitted in the west ) includes a masterplan for the area prepared by international architectural practice BDP following extensive public consultation during 2017- 2019.
Through a series of 11 new streets and four large public spaces, defined by the restoration of two existing protected stone buildings and 12 new contemporary buildings, Augustine Hill backers say it will bring new life and activity to this currently derelict area in the heart of the city. It will create more public spaces that Eyre Square and Spanish Arch combined.
The project team is using the One Planet Living framework developed by London-based charity Bioregional to set and meet bold sustainability objectives, aiming to enable future residents, visitors and workers within Augustine Hill to lead high quality, low impact lifestyles.
The project team has also commissioned Professor Alan Ahearne of NUI Galway’s Whittaker Institute to provide an assessment on the economic impact of Augustine Hill for Galway and Ireland.
In addition, Augustine Hill would generate about €9 million in development contributions for Galway City Council. When complete, the commercial operations (retail, restaurants, cinema, offices, leisure and hotel ) and new residential community at Augustine Hill would support more than 2,700 jobs on a permanent basis, boost national income by nearly €200 million annually and contribute €80 million each year to the Irish Exchequer.
