Development plan · Galway City Council
Galway City Development Plan 2023–2029
The council's development plan written statement: its strategy, policies, objectives and development standards.
Galway City Council · 2023–2029 · 386 pages
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- Environment and InfrastructureGalway City Development Plan 2023-2029 247 Renewable Energy Ireland is committed to generating 80% of its electricity requirements from renewable energy by 2030 (Climate Action Plan 2021). This will reduce greenhouse gas emissions generated by electricity production and facilitate the reduction of emissions in other sectors such as transport and heating through electrification. In order to meet the increased demand for renewable electricity the government though the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is committed to increasing capacity across a number of sectors by 2030 including offshore wind and renewable energy, onshore wind and solar. The RSES identifies the huge potential for off-shore wind energy as a considerable resource to be explored and the need for adequate provision of land based infrastructure and services. In particular, the Port of Galway is ideally placed to support the offshore renewable energy sector. This would complement their current role in supporting special project related imports including infrastructure for windfarms in the region. Support is also in place through changes to the electricity market to enable microgeneration, where small scale domestic electricity customers produce their own electricity through photovoltaic panels, wind turbines or combined heat and power schemes and export any excess to the electricity grid. The Council supports the increase in use of renewable energy sources in the city. There is potential for small-scale renewable energy developments within urban and industrial areas of the city where visual and residential amenities are safeguarded and there are no adverse environmental impacts. Exemptions from planning permission are provided for the installation of micro scale renewable energy infrastructure in domestic dwellings, business premises and industrial settings including solar panels, heat pumps, wind turbines and combined heat and power systems. Consideration will also be given to the potential for developing hydroelectric energy schemes, potentially located on the Eglinton Canal. The Council will also facilitate the development of emerging energy technologies such as green hydrogen and the development of a green hydrogen hub at Galway Port, subject to compliance with relevant planning considerations. The Council has recently commissioned an Energy Master Plan for Galway City which will include a greenhouse gas baseline emissions inventory (BEI) and provide a register of opportunities for decarbonising projects including energy retrofitting of residential and nonresidential buildings, a roadmap for electrification of the heat and transport systems and the identification of viable renewable energy and energy storage projects to target opportunities to achieve the 51% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions required nationally by 2030. Policy 9.10 Energy and Associated Infrastructure 1. Support the infrastructural renewal and strategic development of the national transmission grid system and energy networks in the city, underground where at all possible, including the overhead high voltage lines necessary to provide the required networks in accordance with the Government Policy Statement on the Strategic Importance of Transmission and Other Energy Infrastructure 2012. 2. Support the delivery of a sustainable electricity system and ensure transition to a lowcarbon economy in accordance with ambitions for decarbonisation of the energy sector. 3. Ensure that the infrastructural renewal and development of energy networks avoid negative impacts on European sites and adhere to the requirements of Article 6 of the Habitats Directive (92/43 EEC). 4. Promote the use of efficient energy storage systems and infrastructure that support energy efficiency and reusable energy system optimisation, subject to compliance with proper planning and environmental considerations.
- Compact Growth and Regeneration246 Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029 Compact Growth and Regeneration1010.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 10.7 10.8 10.9 10.10 10.11 Context 250 City Centre 251 Regeneration and Opportunity Sites 253 City Centre Regeneration 253 Ceannt Quarter Regeneration Site 254 Inner Harbour Regeneration Site 256 Headford Road Regeneration Sites 260 Sandy Road Regeneration Site 263 Nun’s Island Masterplan Area 264 Seamus Quirke Road Regeneration Site 266 Crown Square Regeneration Site 266
- Compact Growth and RegenerationGalway City Development Plan 2023-2029 247 10.12 Corrib Great Southern Regeneration Site 267 10.13 Former Dawn Dairies Opportunity Site 267 10.14 Royal Tara China Opportunity Site 268 10.15 Shantalla Road Opportunity Site 268 10.16 Doughiska Road Opportunity Site 269 10.17 Former Connaught Laundry Opportunity Site 269 10.18 Eyre Square East Regeneration Site 270 10.19 Eastgate Regeneration Site 270 10.20 Knocknacarra District Centre (North) Opportunity Site 271 10.21 Knocknacarra District Centre (South) Opportunity Site 272 10.22 City Hall Opportunity Site 273 10.23 Salthill 274 10.24 Westside 276 10.25 Ardaun 277 10.26 Murrough 279 10.27 Doughiska 281 10.28 Castlegar 282 10.29 Specific Objectives 283
- Compact Growth and Regeneration250 Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029 10.1 Context Galway City has in the recent past experienced rapid growth and economic success which makes it well placed with the additional targeted growth to become a city of scale. In line with the vision in the National Planning Framework (NPF) this growth needs to be managed so that development is more concentrated, compact and co-ordinated, enabling regeneration and rejuvenation that can support sustainability, climate action objectives and liveability factors. The NPF recognises that the city can grow though building on its key strengths which includes a diverse population, a strong third level education sector, a world class med-tech cluster, a vibrant arts and culture scene, and an attractive setting. The RSES also identifies the City and Metropolitan Area as the primary driver in strengthening the development of the region and reflects the ambition to grow the city as a globally competitive, successful city and metropolitan area which can contribute to re-balancing growth nationally to achieve more regional parity and viable alternatives to Dublin. Both national and regional frameworks require that future growth supports the principles of sustainability and placemaking and achieves a compact urban. In particular, a focus on regeneration of brownfield and underutilised sites that are well served by existing and planned public transport, amenity,social and community infrastructure is required. The potential for development of such sites for a range of uses including for new homes and employment opportunities ensures a more efficient use of urban land, optimises public investment and can act as a catalyst for wider development. These areas need to be targeted in a dynamic and responsive way to deal with both existing and emerging issues through policies and strategies supported in the Plan. The resulting regeneration will have potential to be transformative for the city, creating new urban districts, vibrant and attractive places, sustainable city living and a reduced carbon footprint. The city centre is at the heart of the city and is the primary commercial and employment hub serving the city and wider region. It supports a high quality environment and historic core and hosts a strong arts and cultural heritage. The importance of the city centre requires policies to strengthen its role and to ensure that the assets which make it attractive are retained. There are other areas of the city which require a particular policy focus by virtue of their character and function, these include Salthill, Westside and Ardaun and the areas subject to Local Area Plans.
- Compact Growth and RegenerationGalway City Development Plan 2023-2029 251 10.2 City Centre The City Centre area is particularly important, as it reflects to a large extent the unique and vibrant image of Galway, with an attractive historic core, a waterfront setting, a high quality environment and a good network of streets and spaces. It is the commercial and cultural heart of the city and the most importance focus for community and civic participation. It also supports a range of public and culture facilities, city living, employment, education and hospitality serving a catchment that extends well beyond the City and Metropolitan Area. The national and regional ambition is for Galway to be a strong regional city with a focus on growth directed to the urban core. This presents an opportunity to further strengthen the role of the city centre and build on the assets that make the city centre an attractive location for investment and as a place to live and work and as a destination. This approach also supports the direction of planned public investment in sustainable transport measures outlined in the GTS to improve connectivity and accessibility and the quality of the environment in the city centre. Commitments in investment will support transformational Public Realm Strategy (PRS) projects, cultural, community and tourist facilities including the extension to the Galway City Museum and the Corrib go Cósta Galway City Flood Relief Scheme. Figure 10.1 City Centre The direction set out in the RSES and MASP is for a strong policy focus to enhance the city centre as the primary commercial area, supporting a regional role for a range of retail, commercial, tourism, social and cultural activities. Recognising that there are significant challenges facing city centres with changing retail trends, planning policy reflects the need for a diversity of uses and to move towards a broader day and night-time economy, which adds to the experience of the city centre and stimulates business and innovation, creativity and learning. It is recognised that initiatives such as the development of the Latin Quarter branding and securing the Purple Flag Award for excellence in managing the evening and night-time economy are important in the city centre, reflecting the image of the city as an attractive and safe destination. These measures will be further enhanced through urban greening, application of clean energies and use of smart technology adding to a “smart, green and clean” city centre. The policy approach for the city centre is integrated in a number of chapters in recognition of its importance as the prime commercial, retail and employment hub, and by virtue of its range of characteristics including the high quality built environment, natural heritage assets, public realm and street and pedestrian network. The application of sustainability permeates this approach where the expansion of neighbourhoods in the City Centre offsets the need to travel and adds to a living city centre. New neighbourhoods will be encouraged through regeneration and through reuse of vacant/underutilised building stock. Expansion of the city centre into key regeneration sites at Ceannt Quarter, Inner Harbour and Dyke/Headford Road will add to the vitality and viability of the city centre. These sites represent transformative opportunities for developments of scale with new residential communities and mixed uses complementing the experience of the city centre. They have potential to be developed in a sustainable manner while retaining the historic character and distinctiveness of the city centre. Regeneration opportunities in Nun’s Island, allied to University of Galway property, also have potential to realise the development of uses which will enhance the attraction of the city centre, in particular for innovation, education and tourism.
- Compact Growth and Regeneration252 Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029 The development of key regeneration sites such as that at Ceannt Quarter and in the longer term at Headford Road, will complement the commercial offer in the city centre, in particular accommodating the larger retail floorplates which cannot be readily accommodated in the historic core. It will also support current trends towards city central locations for high tech office workspace and complements current projects in Galway City Centre such as the Bonham Quay development and the new Metlife Global Technology Campus at Augustine Street. The Bonham Quay development currently under construction will add significantly to the quantum of office space in the city centre and with a considerable future workforce will support the viability of other city centre uses. Other key city centre developments including a number of innovation hubs reflect the attractiveness of the city centre for such uses. Regeneration in the city centre will not only increase the economic viability of the city, it will also result in new liveable vibrant places which encourage diversity and inclusivity. Policy 10.1 City Centre 1. Maintain and enhance the resilience of the city centre by reinforcing its dominant role for commerce, shopping, tourism, cultural and leisure activities, enhancing its vitality and attractiveness as a place to work, live and visit. 2. Control the proliferation of uses which could lead to the deterioration of retailing on the principal shopping streets. 3. Control the negative impact caused by dominance, due to proliferation or scale, of particular uses. 4. Encourage a living city centre by requiring a residential content in new developments and promoting a high quality urban environment in the design and layout of new schemes. 5. Encourage use of vacant upper floors in the city centre and promote city centre living through measures such as the Living City Initiative. 6. Maintain and enhance the environmental quality of the city centre to support city centre living and to ensure a safe and attractive legible environment. 7. Maintain and enhance the quality of the city centre public realm and enhance accessibility and connectivity to and within the city centre through improvements to the network of streets, footpaths and public spaces and through implementation of the Public Realm Strategy. 8. Support a diversity of uses in the city centre public realm including markets, outdoor seating and dining, arts and culture events to add to the vitality and vibrancy of the city. 9. Ensure new developments incorporate design features that complement the character of the city centre. 10. Improve the public realm and residential amenities of existing city centre communities at Woodquay and Bowling Green by the implementation of improvement schemes. 11. Enhance the quality of the urban environment in the West Area and Ravens Terrace through improvements to the public realm, enhanced linkages and through implementation of the Public Realm Strategy and traffic management measures. 12. Progress the implementation of Public Realm Strategy civic space improvement projects within the city centre at Fishmarket, Cathedral, Eyre Square North, Courthouse Square and the Small Crane. 13. Support initiatives to enhance the image and attractiveness and maintenance of the city centre including private properties in co-operation with local businesses, property owners, management companies, communities and other stakeholders.
- Compact Growth and RegenerationGalway City Development Plan 2023-2029 253 14. Ensure the development of significant city centre sites is carried out to high standards and in the context of an overall masterplan. 15. Support and facilitate the development of innovative enterprise initiatives within the city centre in collaboration with education providers, Enterprise Ireland and other stakeholders. 16. Expand in conjunction with relevant stakeholders the provision of free public Wifi hotspots within the city centre. 17. Maintain and enhance the quality of the city centre public realm and enhance accessibility and connectivity to and within the city centre through implementation of measures included in the Galway Transport Strategy. 10.3 Regeneration and Opportunity Sites A key sustainability element of national and regional policy is to deliver growth in a compact form with a focus on redevelopment of regeneration/brownfield sites and development of infill sites and underutilised land. A particular focus includes where these sites are integrated with the existing built footprint, are proximate to existing neighbourhood and employment areas, services and community facilities and where they are well served by existing and planned public transport and walking and cycling networks. A number of Regeneration and Opportunity Sites have been identified in the Core Strategy as having a capacity to accommodate growth, within the plan period and into the longer term. These sites can support a compact form and have potential for transformative redevelopment. They can support a mix of uses including a capacity for affordable housing in high quality living environments, where they can add vitality to the city centre, existing neighbourhoods and commercial centres. The council will investigate all options to progress the redevelopment of strategic Regeneration and Opportunity Sites in the city, including through URDF and other funding opportunities, through suitable partnerships, by direct land acquisition, through provision of enabling infrastructure and through implementation of city council plans and strategies. 10.4 City Centre Regeneration A rich medieval period has left a strong legacy that gives definition to the city centre. However this tight network of streets has also served to constrain the direction of growth in recent years and limited the ability of the city centre to respond to demand for an increase in commercial floor area space. The sites at both Ceannt Quarter and the Inner Harbour present scope for a significant extension of the city centre and a re-engagement with the seafront. Similarly the area along the Headford Road adjacent to the city centre presents opportunities for regeneration through redevelopment of underutilised surface car parking and low density retail park formats to complement its central location, good accessibility and proximity to assets such as the River Corrib and Terryland Forest Park. The regeneration of these specific sites are considered in the NPF to be a key enabler that can facilitate Galway to grow to a city of scale. These sites have potential to create their own character and sense of place but with reference and appropriate linkage, both in movement and design, to the greater context of the city. Within these areas a strong identity will be encouraged through innovative, good and contemporary architecture, good street network and high quality public realm. The current development of Bonham Quay is an example of modern city centre redevelopment that is creating new public realm, a strong urban spatial structure, engagement with the waterfront and achieving a high level of sustainability. Other Regeneration and Opportunity Sites at Eyre Square East, Nun’s Island area and on Henry Street also provide additional opportunities for regeneration including for reuse and adaptation of existing building stock which can support residential, educational and other uses.
- Compact Growth and Regeneration254 Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029 10.5 Ceannt Quarter Regeneration Site The brownfield lands within Ceannt Station, measuring approximately 5.8 hectares has the potential for redevelopment of a transformative scale for the city. It represents an opportunity for modernisation and expansion of the public transportation function of the station, expansion of city centre retail and commercial, new residential development and a network of streets and public spaces replacing the redundant industrial uses. A key priority is to enhance the role of Ceannt Station as a multi-modal public transport interchange. Significant funding has been awarded under the URDF to upgrade and improve transport facilities and to provide capacity for future growth as targeted under the NPF. Tk The Elms Tunnel Tk Tk Platform TkTk Lough Atalia Loch an tSáile New Pier Jetty Figure 10.2 Ceannt Quarter Regeneration Site A significant portion of the site is deemed to be surplus to the public transport function and represents an opportunity for development of uses which are appropriate to a city centre. In advance of specific proposals for redevelopment, a masterplan will be prepared for the overall site and will be required to undertake the following: • Set out a vision for the area and show compliance with the development plan and the objectives of city council plans and strategies including the Galway Transport Strategy, Public Realm Strategy, Urban Density and Building Height study, Heritage Plan, Biodiversity Action Plan and any future plans and strategies such as the Greenspace Strategy and Retail Strategy and emerging new LECP. • In the context of the designation of Galway as a Regional City under the NPF, prepare an analysis of future likely and desirable needs for multi-modal transport facilities including for intercity and commuter bus and rail services. This should demonstrate how the dedication of land on the site for commercial development will not inhibit future demand for intensification of rail/bus or any other likely forms of public transport. Redevelopment will be required to accommodate and front-load a significantly upgraded transportation interchange with associated minimum amount of car parking and cycle parking facilities. • Include for contextual analysis which demonstrates the link with the existing built heritage and historic city centre core to ensure that proposed developments can knit seamlessly into the fabric of the medieval core and reflect the existing urban grain. It shall reflect the cultural context and show how the unique waterfront setting can be celebrated.
- Compact Growth and RegenerationGalway City Development Plan 2023-2029 255 • Include for character analysis detailing the rich historical and architectural heritage of the site and opportunities for the re-use and the re-establishment of relationships between these structures which shall be explored in the design and layout. • Provide detailed proposals for buildings including height, scale and massing and demonstrate how existing important views, vistas and landmarks are respected and how such buildings contribute to aspects of urban design such as accessibility, enclosure, character, permeability and adaptability. • Include for a maximum plot ratio for CC zones of 2:1. Consideration for a higher plot ratio will be given to development proposals in excess of the normally permissible plot ratio where such proposals would contribute to sustainability, architectural quality, urban design, public realm, delivery of housing and would make a significant contribution to urban character. This excess will be interpreted as a proportional increase only and will be assessed on performance based outcomes and general standards. • Provide detailed proposals for good public realm that achieves a strong sense of place, good permeability and reflects a defined functionality and strong landscape impact. This element should demonstrate how linkage with existing spaces can be achieved and where continuity with likely scenarios on the adjoining sites can be made. • Demonstrate how connectivity will be achieved identifying movement patterns and connections into the existing street network and opportunities for linkage and continuity in the design and layout of adjacent sites. This will be particularly important with regard to the adjoining Inner Harbour area where regeneration is also planned and where maximum advantage of the seafront location can be delivered. • Include measures to support environmental sustainability and climate action including sustainable building design, green infrastructure and SuDS and the associated long term operation and management of these. • Include measures to ensure connections to the green network and ensure biodiversity gain within the site. • Include measures to demonstrate maximum public access and permeability throughout the site, give linkage and views to the seafront and Lough Atalia.
- Compact Growth and Regeneration256 Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029 • Detail the type, quantum and distribution of uses. The use mix shall provide for a minimum residential content on the site equivalent to 30% of the proposed gross floor area, in order to achieve a significant level of residential presence and a critical mass to create a new community. In certain limited cases, where a proposal on a portion of the overall site, where residential content would not represent the optimum use for this specific site within the overall plan area, or where a specific development proposal might not in terms of urban design have a more beneficial use mix, the equivalent 30% requirement may be provided for at a more appropriate location within the overall site or as part of a different development. Any alternative measures to achieve the minimum residential content will be required to be part of the framework strategy for the overall development of the area. The commercial use mix shall include for both retail and modern office floorplates. • Include for the provision of an arts/cultural facility at the developer’s expense. A delivery and management regime that enables the long term sustainable use of such a facility will be devised in collaboration with Galway City Council and other relevant stakeholders. • Take cognisance of the proximity of the Seveso III site in the Harbour Enterprise Park. • Include a delivery strategy and phasing programme which demonstrates delivery of public benefits corresponding with each stage of construction such as a public square/ cultural facility. The phasing programme should also be so designed that it is sensitive to market changes and that development for each phase can be, as far as is feasible, completed to a level that is self-contained and will not result in a negative visual impact on any publicly exposed area for a prolonged period. • Include economic and investment strategies which will include for the role of all agency involvement in the delivery of services and infrastructure to be clarified. The preparation of a Masterplan will be primarily the responsibility of the prime stakeholder but a significant level of engagement with the Planning Authority, the public, adjoining landowners and other stakeholders will be required to be demonstrated as part of the process. The Masterplan will build on the acknowledged co-operation existing between Ceannt Station landowners and the Port of Galway which includes for a common objective to have a co-ordinated and integrated approach embedded into future proposals. As part of the phasing programme consideration will be given to the identification of an initial phase comprising of lands north of the railway line and fronting onto Fairgreen Road. These lands have the advantage of street frontage, direct accessibility, capacity to complete and further animate this streetscape. These lands are segregated from the lands associated with the function of Ceannt Station but regardless will be required to show how redevelopment will not inhibit future demand for intensification of rail/bus or any other likely forms of public transport and also how the development will contribute to the upgrading of existing transportation services. In advance of any proposal, these lands will be the subject of a Transport Requirement Study, to be carried out by Iarnród Eireann. This study which is being funded under the URDF will consider the potential to integrate transport within a multi-use development, with the objective to enhance the transport interchange. 10.6 Inner Harbour Regeneration Site The Inner Harbour Regeneration Site comprises approximately 7 hectares. It has potential for significant redevelopment providing an opportunity to re-establish links between the city centre and the sea, to create a high quality waterfront setting, a new city centre mixed use neighbourhood and include for water-related leisure uses. This area is already under transition with the current development of Bonham Quay contributing to the transformation of this part of the city centre and indicating a scale and density that could be achieved in the wider Inner Harbour. Control of the land is also changed with the transfer of the harbour shareholding to Galway City Council in 2020 who is now a significant stakeholder.
Source Galway City Council: Galway City Development Plan 2023–2029 (2023–2029) · Licence the publisher's termsText read from the publisher’s PDF; tables, maps and drawings do not survive as text, and page numbers are the PDF’s (its first page is 1). Check the original before relying on a passage.