From this week’s Galway City Tribune – A decision by An Bord Pleanála to grant permission for a seven-storey student accommodation complex in the carpark of Westside Shopping Centre has been branded “ridiculous”.

In a decision published last week, Westside Shopping Centre Limited was given the go-ahead to build the complex with 240 bed spaces – in the place of 94 spaces in the carpark and fronting onto Seamus Quirke Road.

Former mayor, Mike Cubbard (Ind) lodged an objection to the development. Yesterday he told the Galway City Tribune that it was a “ridiculous” decision, and the planned building was “completely out of character”.

He feared it will have a negative impact on surrounding estates. It’s understood those opposed to the development are mulling over a potential court challenge.

Cllr Cubbard said he had “huge concerns” about the spill over of parking in nearby Camillaun, John Coogan, Gaelcarrig, Inishannagh, Claremont, Corrach Buí housing estates.

He said the scale and height of the development was “completely out of character” with the area.

“It is absolutely crazy. It will cause chaos in the shopping centre with the reduction in parking. I fear that will have a knock-on effect on the viability of the shopping centre, and jobs.

“We’ve seen this at Westwood, where they did not provide adequate parking and the estates surrounding it are putting up with illegal parking.

“I’m all for more housing, but not at all costs. It has to be appropriate. This is completely out of sync. Look at the photos, it completely dwarfs McDonald’s.”

Galway City Council in its submission to the planning board said the development was “unacceptable” in its current form.
This is a shortened preview version of this story. To read the rest of the article, and support our journalism, see the November 18 edition of the Galway City Tribune. You can buy a digital edition HERE.