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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- Housing and Sustainable Neighbourhoods Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029 77 Streets and Movement The layout of residential development needs to create spaces where the car becomes secondary, where through vehicular traffic is discouraged through design and where the street has an important public realm function beyond the movement of traffic. Design principles and measures should consider the following: • Connectivity and Permeability: Provide universal convenient access to places, particularly to schools and places of work. Routes within the area should be accessible for everyone including the needs of all users, including the elderly and people with a disability, and should be as direct as possible. • Sustainability and Climate Action: Prioritise the needs of walking, cycling, public transport and minimise the need for car-borne trips. Incorporate green infrastructure such as SUDs and permeable pavements where appropriate. • Sense of Place: Ensure streets contribute to the creation of attractive and lively mixed-use places. Streets should not just serve a movement function, their design should include consideration of appropriate opportunities for events and social interaction. The use of street names with a connection to the area can also reinforce a sense of place. • Safety: Provide for safe access on streets, paths and cycle routes for users of all ages and degrees of personal mobility. • Biodiversity: Provide road verges as linear green corridors. Off road routes should incorporate nature based and biodiversity features to support wildlife corridors and connections to the green network. • Legibility: Ensure residents and visitors can easily find their way around the area. • Micro-climate: the layout should be so designed to reflect the optimum micro-climate and to have the maximum impact on the level of comfort for users complemented by good quality hard and soft landscaping. Services and Community Facilities Local facilities bring residents together and reduce the need for traffic movements. The Council through policy and zoning objectives will encourage the provision of community, commercial and local employment facilities of a scale appropriate to serve the local community supporting the 15 minute city concept. The clustering of services and facilities can facilitate viability where they are within walking distance of local residents and can create a focal point for the neighbourhood. The range of facilities can include schools, childcare facilities, community centres, primary health care centres and local commercial services. The use of existing facilities for multifunctional uses, including for evening use, can also assist viability and add to the vitality of neighbourhoods. The provision of school facilities in tandem with large scale development is critical to supporting sustainable communities and reducing the need to travel. The planning system can facilitate the provision of schools through land use zoning and designation of particular sites. An assessment of the demand for school places and the capacity of nearby schools has been incorporated into design guidance requirements for large scale residential development. Universal Design The application of universal design principles and lifetime adaptability in the design and layout of new development is more inclusive and future proofs housing for changes in individual lifecycles. This approach assumes that every person experiences barriers, reduced functioning, or some form of disability, either temporary or permanent, at some stage in life. It seeks to make public places and the built environment accessible, understood and used comfortably and with minimum effort and to the greatest extent possible by all people, regardless of their age, size, ability or disability. Best practice guidance including Buildings for Everyone (2012) by the NDA provides guidance on the design of accessible spaces.
- Housing and Sustainable Neighbourhoods 78 Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029 Sustainable Housing In the design and layout of residential development, there are opportunities to minimise energy use and maximise efficiency. New developments should aim to achieve high levels of natural daylight entering buildings to maximise daylight and sunlight including dual aspect design and orientation broadly to the south. Sources of renewable energy including solar panels and heat pumps, can minimise energy demands. Opportunities for residential schemes or neighbourhoods to incorporate districting heating or Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems can also contribute significantly to improved energy efficiency. Use of green infrastructure such as green roofs and green walls and provision of shelter through planting should also be a consideration in design. In the delivery of housing the use of ‘lean construction’ practices can also support sustainability. Homezones Within new residential development the Council will encourage the use of homezones. These consist of shared surfaces, indirect traffic routes, areas of planting and features to encourage the use of the street for amenity. These elements allow for traffic calming and include design features that are used to indicate to traffic the presence of a homezone. Homezones allow streets to become play and amenity areas and therefore can contribute to Galway’s role as a ‘Child Friendly City’. Detailed guidelines are available which demonstrate opportunities for homezones and give advice on their design and the range of elements required to create a homezone. The elimination of through vehicular traffic is a key component of the Homezone concept. Placenames In the development of new neighbourhoods, the naming of places and areas contributes to the legibility of the city. Naming can reflect local neighbourhood identity, heritage and cultural associations and can be important in knowledge, orientation and travel function. The naming of new residential developments in the city reflects the locality, local heritage and landscape expressed in the Irish language. In the interests of community identity and legibility, naming of parks, community facilities and roads is also promoted, using a bilingual approach.
- Housing and Sustainable Neighbourhoods Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029 79 Policy 3.3 Sustainable Neighbourhood Concept 1. Promote the development of compact, well designed, safe and attractive neighbourhoods that deliver efficient use of land and have effective integration with social and physical infrastructure, including public transport, that will enable the development of successful communities and facilitate the growth strategy for Galway City as envisioned in the NPF and RSES. 2. Endeavour to contribute to decarbonisation and achievement of national emission targets in the housing sector through encouraging sustainable densities in housing, adherence to sustainable practices in construction, use of materials and standards, facilitating retrofitting, re-use and effecting Decarbonisation Zones that include residential areas. 3. Support neighbourhoods that can meet the needs of an aging and increasingly diverse society and that can accommodate social and physical inclusiveness and contribute to a good quality of life and general wellbeing. 4. Encourage sustainable neighbourhoods, through appropriate guidelines and standards and through the implementation of local area plans, masterplans / frameworks / area plans. 5. Encourage higher residential densities at appropriate locations as guided by the Galway Urban Density and Building Height Study (2021). Such locations include strategic Regeneration and Opportunity Sites, and residential and mixed use zoned sites located close to public transport routes and routes identified in the Galway Transport Strategy as suitable for high frequency, public transport services. 6. Protect and enhance new/existing residential neighbourhoods through appropriate guidelines and standards, preparation of framework plans and through the use of development briefs and design statements. 7. Ensure the design of residential developments have regard to the Sustainable Residential Development and Compact Settlements – Guidelines for Planning Authorities 2024 and, where applicable, the earlier Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas (2009), the Planning Design Standards for Apartments, Guidelines for Planning Authorities, 2025, and demonstrate compliance with the Urban Design Manual–A Best Practice Guide and the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (2019). 8. Support through policy and design standards the concept of a ‘15 minute city’ where the daily needs of communities can be accessed within a 15 minute walk, cycle or by public transport. 9. Ensure designated residential amenity open spaces, which are in use and reflect high residential value and are allied to existing residential developments are protected for such use. Exceptions to allow for infill development on designated residential amenity open spaces will only be considered on underutilised lands which do not contribute positively to the urban structure and form and lack community value. Such development will only be considered where it contributes to place making and community, improves the quality of the neighbourhood and can enhance the built environment with better informal supervision of the public realm and can, where housing is part of the proposal, provide a mix in size and type of housing units.
- Housing and Sustainable Neighbourhoods 80 Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029 3.5 Sustainable Neighbourhoods: Outer Suburbs The outer suburbs of the city are areas which have accommodated the greatest population growth in the city in recent years. As indicated in the Core Strategy, there is opportunity to further consolidate these neighbourhoods through the development of existing serviced and zoned residential land and through development of Ardaun. New residential development will be required to adhere to the principles for sustainable neighbourhoods set out in the previous section and development management standards set out in Chapter 11. The Council will work in conjunction with stakeholders to progress improvements such as provision of additional sports, recreation and community facilities. The Council will also progress measures to improve connectivity, supporting safe walking, cycling and greenways. A new Green Space Strategy and a social and community infrastructure audit will inform future sustainable development of these areas. The western outer suburbs largely comprises the Knocknacarra, Ballyburke, Ballymoneen and Letteragh residential communities. These suburbs have a mix of densities, house types and sizes with newer developments in particular along the Western Distributer Road, Ballymoneen Road and Letteragh accommodating a greater diversity in house type. Local centres are designated to provide services to meet the daily needs of the resident population. The designated district centre at the Gateway Retail Park provides the main cluster of commercial activity to serve these neighbourhoods and a wider catchment. The area is also served by a number of important community facilities including schools, a community centre and church. The green network for this area includes the city park linking Barna Woods, Cappagh Park and Lough Rusheen and smaller parks and open spaces. Under the Core Strategy, residential zoned lands are identified to accommodate new housing in the western outer suburbs. To support this growth, the designated district centre and I zoned lands will provide for further services and employment opportunities. Additional strategic facilities such as the proposed N6 GCRR will provide additional accessibility and connectivity in the area in addition to identified investment in other GTS measures to support public and sustainable transport. The northern outer suburbs include residential communities along the Headford Road at Ballinfoile and Castlegar with a mix of densities and diversity of house type. This area is served by two local service centres with the main area of commercial activity located along the Headford Road serving a wider catchment. It is also proximate to existing employment areas including University Hospital Galway (UHG), University of Galway and Liosban Industrial Estate.
- Housing and Sustainable Neighbourhoods Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029 81 A number of schools, places of worship and a community centre are part of the community infrastructure of the area. The green network in this area includes the Terryland Forest Park and river valley and a network of smaller parks and open spaces. The Core Strategy identifies residential zoned lands to accommodate future growth and a number of specific development objectives set out in Chapter 11 section 11.2.8 relate to these lands. Future development of the commercial zoned lands along the Tuam Road will provide for additional services and employment opportunities to support this growth. The preparation of an area plan for Castlegar will consider improved connectivity, infrastructure and linkage including to the green network and will investigate opportunities for improvements in community facilities, recreation amenities, high quality green spaces, and other neighbourhood assets in consultation with local stakeholders. The eastern outer suburbs represent the newest suburbs in the city. They are characterised by the residential communities of Doughiska, Curragrean and Roscam with a diversity of housing. These suburbs are well served by the Doughiska district centre and local services and are proximate to large employers including Merlin Park Hospital, Galway Clinic and Briarhill/Parkmore employment hubs. The area is also served by a number of important community facilities including schools, places of worship and the Cumasú centre. The green network in the area includes Merlin Park Woods, recreation and amenity zoned lands sports facilities, playgrounds, open spaces and playing pitches. There are opportunities for future housing growth in this area to consolidate the existing neighbourhood of Doughiska to capitalise on its locational advantages and range of services. Development of the commercial zoned lands along the Doughiska Road will add to the mix of uses and services. The development of Ardaun is a key urban extension on the east side of the city. It is part of the settlement strategy of the city with the capacity to accommodate significant growth and a new city neighbourhood. Policy 3.4 Sustainable Neighbourhoods: Outer Suburbs 1. Facilitate consolidation of existing residential development and densification where appropriate within the outer suburbs to deliver on population targets while ensuring the reasonable protection of residential amenities. 2. Ensure that sustainable neighbourhoods are places where housing, streets, open spaces and local facilities come together in a coherent, integrated and attractive form with appropriate community infrastructure delivered in tandem with new growth. 3. Require the integration of biodiversity measures, green infrastructure and energy efficiency in the design and layout of residential development. 4. Encourage a mix of housing types and sizes within residential developments. 5. Encourage the use of homezones within residential developments. 6. Require residential developments of over 10 units to provide recreational facilities as an integral part of the proposed open space. 7. Ensure the design and layout of residential developments has regard to adjoining developments. 8. Encourage the promotion of universal design principles and lifetime adaptability in the design and layout of residential developments. 9. Promote the use of appropriate placenames for new residential development in accordance with the policy of An Coiste Logainmneacha and in support of recognition of Galway City as a Bilingual city.
- Housing and Sustainable Neighbourhoods 82 Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029 3.6 Sustainable Neighbourhoods: Established Suburbs Galway has a variety of established suburbs, all of which contribute to the diversity and character of the city. On the westside of the city are established residential areas of Salthill, Taylors Hill, Westside and Dangan which are supported by employment and service hubs such as Salthill village, Westside district centre, UHG and University of Galway. Significant amenities include the River Corrib, coastline, beaches, Westside sports facilities and University of Galway campus facilities. A number of neighbourhood parks and open spaces and community facilities such as Westside library and community centre and local schools contribute to sustainable neighbourhoods. On the east side are established residential areas of Ballinfoile, Tirellan, Mervue, Renmore and Ballybaan. These areas are also supported by a broad range of commercial, community and amenity facilities including employment and service hubs at Terryland, Liosbán, Tuam Road, Mervue Industrial Estate, Atlantic Technological University (ATU) and the Bon Secours hospital. These neighbourhoods have good access to amenities such as the River Corrib, Terryland Forest Park, Ballyloughane beach, Merlin Woods, Liam Mellows GAA facilities, Deacy Park, Mervue sports facilities and also have a range of neighbourhood parks and open spaces. The Ballinfoile/Castlegar community centre, Renmore Sports centre and Ballybaan resource centre and library and local schools also support a sustainable neighbourhood. The character of these areas are varied but each area has an important function in the support of neighbourhoods through provision of homes and essential local services and community facilities. As indicated in the Core Strategy, there is opportunity to further consolidate these neighbourhoods through development of Regeneration and Opportunity Sites at Westside, Sandy Road, Crown Square and Renmore for residential and mixed uses. The development of these sites will provide opportunities to enhance the vitality of these neighbourhoods and support the 15 minute city concept being located in areas that have a significant legacy of accessible services. Within these Regeneration and Opportunity Sites there are opportunities to enhance services and amenities by encouraging the development of a range of mixed uses, good public realm and the creation of new linkages and connections to the green network. These sites, when redeveloped with appropriate densities and high quality design, have potential to become exemplars of good urban design and placemaking and will add to the value of the neighbourhood. It is acknowledged that the established suburbs may require additional community and local services. Existing community facilities in the area will be supported where the need has been identified through a social and community infrastructure audit. It is anticipated that additional neighbourhood services will be delivered as part of the development mix on Regeneration and Opportunity Sites. Additional services can also be accommodated along main roads where these can support a local catchment need or add vitality to an existing hub. Such development will be required to assimilate into the neighbourhood fabric and respect and contribute to existing amenity and character. Potential exists in the established suburbs for smaller infill development opportunities which can enhance the diversity of house type and contribute to local character. Infill development must respect and respond positively to the character of the area and will be required to have regard to the existing pattern of development, plots, blocks, streets and spaces. It should not be of such a scale that represents a major addition to, or redevelopment of, the existing urban fabric, and must protect the amenity of existing and future residents. Well-designed higher density infill development will be considered in suitable locations, as guided by the Galway Urban Density and Building Height Study (2021). Such development will be required to demonstrate a positive contribution to the urban fabric, respect and contribute to existing amenity and character and deliver sustainable benefits. Similarly where replacement dwellings are proposed, the sustainable benefits must be clearly demonstrated and any such development must make a positive contribution to the area’s urban fabric and amenity and character.
- Housing and Sustainable Neighbourhoods Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029 83 Residential Neighbourhood Regeneration Areas There are neighbourhoods in the established suburbs which have extensive tracts of communal open space lands. The scale and layout of the communal open space in these areas has created pockets of open space lands which are under-utilised and that do not contribute to the urban structure. This can consequently lead to these areas becoming derelict and attracting uses that have no community value. These areas can also represent latent opportunities to contribute to addressing the current housing crisis and to achieve a more efficient use of the built environment in the interests of sustainability and climate resilience. In addition, these areas have potential to improve neighbourhood character through enhancement of urban design. Through a high standard of infill development improvements in environmental quality can be brought about. This infill development could be in the form of community facilities and/or residential development. Such development can contribute to the quality of the neighbourhood and can enhance the built environment by providing effective linkages between residential areas, better informal supervision of open spaces and by diversifying the mix and size of housing units. Figure 3.2: Ballinfoile Figure 3.3: Ballybaan Specifically, there are opportunities to achieve improvements in the Ballinfoile neighbourhood as identified in the draft regeneration plan for Ballinfoile entitled A Better Ballinfoile. It highlighted a number of actions within the neighbourhood which if implemented would bring about significant improvements. Most of these actions have potential for delivery as they are located on public lands. It is an objective of the Council to review this plan in consultation with the community (see Fig. 3.2). In the Ballybaan area, there are opportunities to achieve improvements and potential for infill development (see Fig. 3.3). In this case opportunities for regeneration will be reviewed in particular on small pockets of open space which have low community, amenity and recreational value. A local regeneration plan will be prepared in conjunction with community consultation and any development will only be considered where it contributes to placemaking, community value and improves the quality of the neighbourhood. Where housing to address prevailing need, is part of the proposal, a mix in size and type of housing units will be required to be provided. Environmental Improvement Schemes There are opportunities to achieve environmental improvements in residential and visual amenity in the Mervue area. The Council will examine, in conjunction with local residents, the potential for environmental improvements for the Mervue area (see Fig.3.4) through enhancements in safety and convenience of linkages, enhanced public realm, urban greening and opportunities for green infrastructure and enhanced biodiversity. Figure 3.4: Mervue Ballybaan Par k echwoo Tara Grove
- Housing and Sustainable Neighbourhoods 84 Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029 Decarbonisation Zone A pilot decarbonisation project is currently under preparation for the area including Westside, Shantalla and parts of Rahoon. The aim of the project is to contribute to the reduction in emissions with the objective to achieve a target emission cut of 51% by 2030. New development should be designed to align with target emission ambitions for this area. 3.7 Sustainable Neighbourhoods: Inner Residential Areas The inner residential neighbourhoods have a varied character and a range of house types reflecting their period of construction. In the west, areas such as The Claddagh, Fr. Griffin Road, Shantalla and Newcastle are distinct communities and University Hospital Galway, University of Galway and St. Marys College gives the area a strong urban definition. To the east Bohermore, College Road and Lough Atalia support residential communities. These areas have access to significant local assets including the coastline, a range of open spaces, sports facilities, schools and local service areas. The character of these areas are varied but each area has an important function in the support of neighbourhoods through provision of homes and essential local services and community facilities. As indicated in the Core Strategy, there is opportunity to further consolidate these neighbourhoods through development of Regeneration and Opportunity Sites along the Headford Road and Seamus Quirke Road for residential and mixed uses. Significant regeneration opportunities for mixed use development exist in the Headford Road area. These regeneration sites in view of their scale and location, have capacity to create their own character with high quality architecture and can become exemplars of good urban design and placemaking. They have potential to make a transformative difference, creating a better urban form, bringing new life and footfall to the area and increasing housing supply close to the city centre. They can also support GTS measures providing easy access to the proposed public transport and active travel networks, including the proposed bridge link to University of Galway and greater connectivity to the green network. Identified Opportunity Sites along the Seamus Quirke Road and Shantalla Road have scope to grow existing communities. These opportunity sites have potential to add vitality to the neighbourhood, bring new life and footfall to the area and contribute to the 15 minute city concept being close to existing services and facilities and having good linkage. Policy 3.5 Sustainable Neighbourhoods: Established Suburbs 1. Facilitate consolidation of existing residential development and densification where appropriate, ensuring new development responds positively to the character of the area and has regard to existing favourable local pattern, form and density, and protects the amenity of existing and future residents. 2. Encourage additional community and local services and residential infill development in the established suburbs at appropriate locations. 3. Enhance established suburbs, such as the Mervue residential area, through the implementation of environmental improvement schemes and the protection of all open spaces including existing green spaces. 4. Review and implement the draft regeneration plan for Ballinfoile Park entitled A Better Ballinfoile in consultation with the local community and stakeholders. 5. Prepare a regeneration plan focusing on the open space areas in Ballybaan in consultation with the local community and stakeholders.
- Housing and Sustainable Neighbourhoods Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029 85 Cill Ard It is acknowledged that the inner residential areas may require additional community facilities and local services. Existing community facilities in the area will be supported where the need has been identified through a social and community infrastructure audit. It is anticipated that additional neighbourhood services will be delivered as part of the development mix on Regeneration and Opportunity Sites. Additional services can also be accommodated along main roads where these can support a local catchment need or add vitality to an existing hub. Such development will be required to assimilate into the neighbourhood fabric and respect and contribute to existing amenity and character. Galway has a variety of house types in the inner residential areas, with a mix of private and public housing. Places such as Claddagh, Shantalla and areas of Bohermore provide valuable housing in strong sustainable communities close to the city centre. These areas are under pressure with demand for housing extensions and for limited infill development. They have also experienced considerable pressure from traffic and car parking which has reduced their residential amenity. It is recognised that these areas are dynamic and that potential still exists for some additional residential development which can make efficient use of existing public transport routes and social and physical infrastructure. New and infill development in these areas must be of high quality and designed to respect and respond positively to the character of these areas. As such they should not be of such a scale that represents a major addition to, or redevelopment of the existing urban fabric. Infill development will have regard to the existing pattern of development, plots, blocks, streets and spaces. Infill development will also have regard to the scale and proportion of existing buildings, building lines, massing and height of buildings in relation to the street. Sustainable high quality regeneration and appropriately scaled infill must be designed as to protect the amenity of existing and future residents. Such development will be required to demonstrate a positive contribution to the urban fabric, respect and contribute to existing amenity and character and deliver sustainable benefits. Similarly where replacement dwellings are proposed, the sustainable benefits must be clearly demonstrated and any such development must make a positive contribution to the area’s urban fabric and amenity and character. Fig.3.5 Shantalla Fig 3.6 Bohermore
- Housing and Sustainable Neighbourhoods 86 Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029 Fig 3.7 Claddagh It is recognised that these areas in particular, Shantalla, Claddagh and Bohermore, would benefit from improvements primarily in the pedestrian and street network. The application of objectives in the GTS and Galway Public Realm Strategy (PRS), in particular with regard to sustainable transport improvements, street planting and urban greening measures, can enhance the general amenities of these areas. These measures can also improve the health and wellbeing of residents supporting active travel and improved air quality through reduced car use on local streets. Other strategic projects such as the Corrib go Cósta Galway Flood Relief Scheme will ensure neighbourhoods, in particular the Claddagh which includes Munster Avenue and surrounding areas are resilient to the impacts of climate change. Policy 3.6 Sustainable Neighbourhoods: Inner Residential Areas 1. Protect the quality of inner residential areas including Claddagh, Shantalla and Newcastle (to Quincentenary Bridge) while encouraging appropriate high-quality new development through consolidation, infill and redevelopment that responds positively to the character of the area and has regard to the prevailing local pattern, form and density. 2. Enhance inner residential areas such as Claddagh, Shantalla and Bohermore, through the implementation of environmental improvement schemes and the protection of all open spaces, including existing green spaces. 3. Prioritise the provision of new homes on designated Regeneration and Opportunity Sites in the Inner Residential Areas at appropriate scales to enable the development of new sustainable communities. 3.8 Sustainable Neighbourhoods: City Centre Residential Areas As a residential area, the city centre is a very attractive place to live. It has a high quality built and natural environment and easy access to services, employment opportunities and arts and culture activities. The compact urban form and the network of streets also enables easy access and good walkability. The Plan, reflecting national and regional policy, supports a strong objective to increase the residential population and employment activities in the city centre. This will add vitality to the city centre and represents a sustainable and efficient use of land that will reduce car dependency. Increased city centre living also supports the city centre as an employment hub for strategic investment and innovation activity. Planned improvements to the public realm, GTS measures, climate adaptation and mitigation measures, and use of smart technologies, will further enhance the liveability of the city centre. Churc hfield s Goirt an Tea mpail l Grat ta n Par k
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