Plans for 350 affordable and social homes on Galway city’s waterfront were unveiled this week – as part of the long-awaited plan to regenerate the Galway Inner Harbour area.

The 350 affordable and social homes at Amharc Atalia – launched by Galway Harbour Company and the Land Development Agency – are an integral part of the joint consultation and stakeholder engagement process for the planned redevelopment of Galway Inner Harbour, which has been eleven years in the planning process.

Both GHC and the LDA are now seeking the views of the public and stakeholders on the overall draft masterplan and this proposed first phase of development – the LDA’s delivery of these 350 affordable and social homes.

It had already been revealed that An Bord Pleanála is due to decide on the planning application for a new Galway Port before the year’s end — eleven years after it was submitted.

Meeting with Galway City Councillors earlier this month, Galway Port Company Chief Executive Conor O’Dowd, described it as a vital piece of infrastructure – and added that, without it, Galway has suffered ‘lost opportunities’, including the loss of major contracts to export rock to Europe and Africa.

He confirmed to the city councillors that the public consultation process for a new port finished in February, and a decision was expected before the end of 2025.

A response to submissions from the public and statutory bodies was sent by Galway Harbour recently to ABP, and the planning appeals board was now assessing the response.

Mr O’Dowd said the new larger port involved the relocation of the existing harbour to reclaimed land further out to sea. This would free up the inner dock to be developed for other purposes.

Having signalled this housing plan at the City Council meeting, this week put meat on the bones with confirmation that the proposal is to build the homes on a 1.4-hectare site within the inner harbour – the transfer of which was agreed in principle, with government approval, in 2024.

The proposals include plans for cost rental and social housing, a creche and three retail or café units. The development will be located on New Dock Road and Lough Atalia Road.

Caption: An artist’s impression of the proposed Amharc Atalia affordable and social housing complex.

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