From this week’s Galway City Tribune – Concerned Knocknacarra residents met last night (Thursday) to discuss a controversial proposal to construct 227 apartments across seven high-rise blocks at the entrance to Gateway Shopping Park.

The plans, which are the first to be submitted to the City Council under the new Largescale Residential Development (LRD) legislation, were recently submitted by Glenveagh Living Ltd, following a consultation process with city planners.

At the meeting last night, organised by local representative, Cllr John Connolly, residents expressed concern that the plans would worsen traffic in the area which was already a huge problem.

However, Cllr Connolly said this form of high-density accommodation was likely to form part of the solution to the ongoing housing crisis.

He said some concerns could be alleviated if it was clear that the necessary infrastructure would be put in place to coincide with the development.

“We recently had high-rise student accommodation approved for Westside [at Dunnes] and I think this is something that we’re going to have to get used to.

“But Westside is slightly different because it’s within walking distance of the hospital and university. There is no proper public transport in Knocknacarra and if that was something that was addressed, I think it would allay some of the concerns,” said the Fianna Fáil councillor.

This is a shortened preview version of this story. To read the rest of the article, see the January 6 edition of the Galway City Tribune. You can support our journalism by buying a digital edition HERE.