Residents in Tuam will oppose a social housing development on an elevated site that they say will overlook their properties.

Galway County Council plans to build over 200 new social houses in Tuam to help address the housing waiting list for the area which currently stands at 337.

Nearly half of those seeking local authority housing in Tuam have requested one or two-bed accommodation while a further 144 have listed a three-bed home as their first preference.

Local councillors were given an update on the planned Tuam residential developments at the Tuam Municipal Council meeting earlier in the week.

But Deputy Pete Roche said that if residents have a problem, then they have to make submissions to the housing authority to outline their complaints or concerns.

The Galway East TD told the Connacht Tribune that, while social housing needs to be provided in Tuam, residents were also entitled to express their concerns and possibly encourage planners to reconfigure the site.

The 66 social housing units would be located on the Galway Road and residents fear that some of the blocks, at three stories high, will be overlooking existing bungalows which have been there for decades.

Deputy Roche said that social housing had to be provided with existing local residents in mind – and he wants further engagement with householders before a planning application is submitted. The approval of a Part 8 planning application is granted on the approval of local councillors.

One existing resident said that while the proposed estate looks very attractive, the County Council had given no consideration to the property owners in the local area.

“The plans include three-storey homes that will be overlooking the gardens and dwellings of existing residents,” they said.

“There are no three-storey homes in the area at present so these will be inappropriate. Some of the two-storey houses are equally impactful on the neighbours given their height.

“They could, in fact, be built to the rear of the site and reducing on the impact on existing residents.”

Referring to a presentation on the matter, the residents stated that the Council could not provide any details on the traffic impact that this will have on the busy Galway Road out of Tuam.

“They have no jurisdiction on the bypass (governed by Transport Infrastructure Ireland) which can close for maintenance for hours on end causing huge tailbacks through the town.”

Pictured: Deputy Pete Roche.