BY Declan Varley
Galway County Council has received planning approval from An Bord Pleanála for a significant new housing development at Baile Chláir (Claregalway ) including the first affordable homes to be delivered in County Galway under the Government’s Housing For All programme.
The Local Authority, in conjunction with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, is proposing to develop 88 new residential units divided into 39 houses and 14 apartment buildings on a 2.7-Hectare site owned by Galway County Council at Lakeview Road.
The project, which also features a crèche and community playground, will now progress to detailed design before being tendered for construction. It is envisaged that construction works will commence in 2025.
Liam Carroll, Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council said the scheme will deliver much needed housing for the area.
“I have been impressed by the quality of the design proposed and I welcome the fact that the scheme includes for landscaped open spaces and a playground facing Lakeview Road which will be accessible, not only the to the residents of the scheme, but to the entire community”.
According to Liam Conneally, Chief Executive of Galway County Council, the development is in a highly desirable area, with local services and schools on its doorstep, and within a 10km commute to Galway city.
“Uniquely, this development is in the Galway Metropolitan Area Strategic Plan (MASP ) area and, as it is situated in a Gaeltacht, a number of the new units will be restricted to use by those who can demonstrate the ability to preserve and protect the language and culture of the Gaeltacht”.
Michael Owens, Director of Services complimented the staff of the local authority’s Housing section and the external design team led by VHA Architects for their work involved in bringing the proposal to this stage.
“One of the main features of this proposal is the considerable number of different unit types and buildings being offered, which are complemented by high quality useable open spaces,” added Mr. Owens. “The proposal is in response to the envisaged variety of residents that will want to live in this new development.”
The Baile Chláir scheme is the first Galway County Council own development under the Government’s ‘Housing for All’ policy that will include for affordable housing in the county.
The development includes 2 four-bedroom, 19 three-bedroom and 18 two-bedroom houses and 14 apartment buildings made up of 15 three-bedroom, 21 two-bedroom and 13 one-bedroom units. The houses a reproposed to be 2 storeys high, while the apartment buildings will range from 2½ to 3 storeys high. The development further includes car parking, hard and soft landscaping, site clearance works, roads, footways, amenity facilities, public lighting, signage, connections to existing services, and all ancillary site development works.
