240 Bed Student Accommodation In Westside

xckjoo

Looks like this development is getting the green light. Will be handy for NUIG students

https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2022/11/08/dunnes-fails-to-stop-student-accommodation-scheme-in-galway/

kippy

Ticks a lot of boxes.

rustyfrog

Difficult to see how "there is capacity within the car park to cater for the additional development", that car park can be busy at it's current capacity. It's a messy car park that's also used as a hub for a lot of driving instructors.

There will be lots of new local student customers but I can see them crossing the road to Aldi. A lot of Dunnes fans that drive for the "big shop" will likely go to Gateway in Rahoon/Knocknacarra, it's got tonnes of parking and has been upgraded recently. Dunnes Westside feels very 1990s but hopefully it'll have enough local footfall to survive.

Geuze

I can't see it on the City planning website?

Is it a development that goes straight to ABP?

xckjoo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119852675#Comment_119852675

Ya I'm surprised it got passed with the reduction in parking spots (and the height). Maybe we're seeing the start of a move away from parking spots being so important. If they enforce a "no car" policy for the accommodation then it might not impact parking for shopping.

P.S. Westside Dunnes is low-key the best one. No airs and graces. It's my favorite one to shop in

what_traffic

Could it be the start of redevelopment of the rest of the Shopping Centre itself?

Maybe this will spark the Development potential of the large Higgins site across the road.

Ficheall

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119853075#Comment_119853075

How would such a "no-car" policy for the accommodation work, and how would it not affect the parking for shopping?

xckjoo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119855974#Comment_119855974

Um. There's no parking spot included in the rental so you can't take up a spot in the car park....

rustyfrog

They'd need to do something like a 2hr parking limit and have someone walking around recording registration plates and clamping.

The student block at the Westwood has insufficient parking for the demand and students are parking in adjacent estates.

zell12

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119854362#Comment_119854362

 HSE primary care facility due there on the 9.5 acres of vacant land off Seamus Quirke Road.

They assume that all the students will walk or cycle. The planning office need to walk around ATU and NUI carparks as they are both overflowing with student cars at the moment.

Developers are delighted as they don't have to loose site space to parking or have to dig out basements for parking saving them a fortune in development costs and creating more space for units.

The City Council want to create a new Amsterdam without having to spend anything on infrastructure to support that style of city in advance.

There have been some recent developments in the city that were granted planning without parking or drop off points as the application stated that customers/tenants would solely use public transport or bikes. Objections were made pointing out that cars would also be used but planning was granted anyway and now you have cars blocking traffic because there is nowhere for them to go, there is also nowhere for delivery trucks to pull up.

I walk or cycle to work when the weather supports it and I support greener alternatives but I feel the infrastructure has to be in place first, not provisioning for the use of cars in current planning is short sighted when as a country we are very depended on cars for transportation.

xckjoo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119856349#Comment_119856349

It's a chicken and egg/carrot and stick thing. If you build around the car then people will use the car. That's what's happened for years and it's left us completely car dependent. The carrot should be a nice place to live close to everything. The stick should be no constant car access and punishment (fines, clamping, towing, etc.) if you try to circumvent it. I agree other transport infrastructure needs to be better but we can't wait until there's perfect car, PT, walking and cycling infrastructure all in-place and then hope people decide to leave the car at home.

This is designed to be student accommodation. Yes UG and ATU are filled to the gills with cars but that's a recent development due to people being forced down the route of car dependence. A major cause at the moment is from students not being able to find anywhere to live and having to commute. If they can't walk/cycle/bus from Westside to NUIG then this isn't for them.

True but its doomed to failure unless the proper supports are in place first. If you require a car you will just park elsewhere creating issues for surrounding areas as can be seen with recent developments.

Granted the accommodation crisis is making students more dependent on cars, even before the housing crisis there has been been a massive increase in students with cars both commuters and those that rent in proximity to the colleges. Drive around Renmore, Westside or The Green and you'll see plenty of houses rented to students during college months with four or five cars parked outside. ATU had to open a second car park to accommodate all the students with cars.

Mrs OBumble

Car free student accommodation is great, with proper supports for everyday living.

But what happens on move-in day, when Mammy and Daddy bring junior and their luggage?

Where do the grocery delivery people park? And the Deliveroo guys. And the ongoing cleaners, maintenance contractors and repsir workers.

What happens when a student gets attacked walking home, and the advice is to always catch taxis.

None of these need two carparks per apartment.

But they do need to be planned for - the plan needs to be car-lite, not car-free.

Gadgetman496

A local councillor says he’s the angriest he’s ever been in his political career over the granting of permission for a major student accommodation block in Westside.The 240-bed development will be located on the grounds of the Westside Shopping Centre and will front onto the Seamus Quirke Road.

Councillor Mike Cubbard says the seven story “monstrosity” is completely out of character with the area and should never have been given the green light.

Speaking to Galway Talks, he said it’s a disaster waiting to happen and was highly critical of An Bord Pleanala.

Homelander

https://galwaybayfm.ie/galway-bay-fm-news-desk/councillor-furious-over-green-light-for-major-student-block-in-westside/

Link for that with the sound. I am not sure why you wouldn't link, instead of copy-pasting and uploading their image to a different website to post it.

Ficheall

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119856048#Comment_119856048

So where do you think all the students who own cars are going to park?

xckjoo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119857766#Comment_119857766

Leave them at home. Or rent a room somewhere with parking. Or sell it and be free from the financial burden

Ficheall

They won't though. They'll park in the shopping centre or nearby estates etc.

Councillor Mike Cubbard says the seven story “monstrosity” is completely out of character with the area 

"Character"

For someone who has lived a stones throw from the spot for years, Cubbard is talking some amount of sh!te

Character my behind

Mrs OBumble

It may not be heritage, or What Lovelies Like, but there is a unified style to the area now. 7 stories would be very different.

And high rise has worked so well in that area previously.!

ben.schlomo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119859588#Comment_119859588

Quite a large difference between modern, purpose built, student accommodation and a local housing project from the 1970s. But you already know that.

fergiesfolly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119859588#Comment_119859588

Isn't it a stone's throw from the hospital? How many floors has that?

As for unified style, It an 1980s shopping centre surrounded by concrete retail parks. Maybe it needs some de-unifying.

xckjoo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119857338#Comment_119857338

Jesus. They can spit on Dunnes from their bedroom and Aldi is across the road. I'm sure they'll manage. Deliveroo can pull up wherever. They don't exactly go looking for parking spots. Parents can drop off too. They're literally in a car park so there's space for temporary parking

They can't exactly drive home from a night out and taxis will pull up anywhere so another moot point. The advice is always to go home in groups, not transport specific. I know plenty women wary of getting in a taxi due to previous experiences.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119859003#Comment_119859003

It'll need enforcement but we can't sit on our hands forever because we're afraid people might do something.

I'd say it will be an issue though. Ideally the Council and building owners would work together on it but I doubt they will

xckjoo

I wonder what the "disaster waiting to happen" is.

I didn't think they'd get the height. It'll look odd but sure what harm. That area has had worse over the years

Ficheall

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119860219#Comment_119860219

"I'd say it will be an issue though. Ideally the Council and building owners would work together on it but I doubt they will"

So the opposite of your "If they enforce a "no car" policy for the accommodation then it might not impact parking for shopping", which I queried the rationale of and received a sarky response for. Right so. Glad you thought it through.

Homelander

I don't personally have any issue with the development but I think when he said "out of character" he didn't mean the rich visuals of the local area, he meant the height of the building. A seven story building right on the main road is a big departure from the current layout of the land.

zell12

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119860228#Comment_119860228

Did he really say that? He seems to have an issue with more people and their cars moving into the area, specifically 'with short-term lettings, cars parking on junctions causing absolute chaos, and these car-parkers don't give an absolute toss about the area' .

Mrs OBumble

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119859814#Comment_119859814

The middle of the hospital has six stories.

But at the back end, which is across the street from this, it is back to single and two story. Just outside the hospital, the building Fine Wines is in has three stories.

Very different to seven.

Commoner

I hope An Taisce appeals this via a Judicial Review. I can't believe An Bord Pleanala actually gave the approval to allow a developer build over a Car Park!!

Definitely, the next Government needs to introduce legislation that would enable previous planning approvals by An Bord Pleanala to be revoked and demolished. Other Countries do this.

Anyone who knows this area will tell you about the former Rahoon Flats in Westside that were once nearby. The area at the time had rampant crime, illegal bonfires, joyriding, and other social problems.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119861471#Comment_119861471

Anyone who knows this area will tell you about the former Rahoon Flats in Westside that were once nearby. The area at the time had rampant crime, illegal bonfires, joyriding, and other social problems.

This is not that. Why you want to make it so is just weird.

timmyntc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119861471#Comment_119861471

This proposed development is a far cry from the Rahoon flats for goodness sake.

As for arguments about the proposed height - if all buildings have to be restricted to 3 or less floors, then we will be making the traffic worse, as it means more sprawl, people living farther away from city/university/shops who have to drive

Student accommodation there is the perfect spot - you can walk to shops, walk to college, walk to town. You will never need to drive anywhere if you live in this proposed development.

Homelander

Trying to draw parallels between a high-end student accommodation block and the Rahoon flats is beyond grasping at straws.

I can respect where Mike Cubbard is coming from but that's just comical.

Unrealistic

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119857766#Comment_119857766

Less than half of Irish 18-24 year olds hold a driving license. And, for the minority that do hold a license, it does not automatically follow that they have the use of their own car. This block will make up a tiny fraction of the total accommodation taken up by students in Galway. If no carparking is offered at this block then logically the minority who want carparking should consider some of the many other accommodation offerings. And students who don't need carparking will probably find this new block attractive for its proximity to the college and to other amenities.

Redo91

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119861471#Comment_119861471

Haha yes because the students will be lighting Bon fires and joyriding!

rustyfrog

"the minority who want carparking should consider some of the many other accommodation offerings"

It's not like students have a range of options like 20 years ago. They'll snap up wherever they can secure.

Commoner

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119861503#Comment_119861503

I'm not sure if you even read what I wrote before you posted.

Sprawl? These are short-term student accommodation - in other words; proposed short-term lets which won't in any way lead to sustainable accommodation for our own. Also, a lot of the students at Universities are non-EU bearing in mind Ireland's notoriously lax student Visa system and the unsustainable third-level business model and the Irish Government looks to deregulate planning laws to allow building over a car park at Dunnes Stores in Westside Shopping Centre, Galway! I also wonder if these units might be converted into a centre for asylum seekers at some point in the future. This development is also an over-intensification of this area of Rahoon Galway despite experts previously warning the Government about the dangers of over-intensification.

They should be made take down all of the SHD's that An Bord Pleanala gave approval for over the last 6 years which resulted in an over-intensification of areas. India recently demolished 100-metre skyscrapers outside for 850 flats as stern warning to developers amid rampant bad planning practice. This could be done here also only it would declare the SHD's retroactively. It would of course be resisted by Leo Varadkar because it would show up his bad policies under Fine Gael. 

Homelander

What do you mean, "for our own". Students, whether they come from abroad, from Galway, or some other county, need to live somewhere during college term. Dedicated student blocks are a good thing, frees up the general market. How you can try twist this is beyond me.

What do you mean, de-regulate planning laws? The operator of the shopping centre is on board with the plan, obviously, so I'm not sure what is being de-regulated here. Change of use is a valid planning regulation.

First, it was comparisons to Rahoon Flats.....now it's only been given planning permission and you're moving onto it being converted into an asylum seeker centre. This ridiculous hyperbole is doing you zero favors.

Over intensification and it's dangers.....it's a 240 bed student block in an urban zone smack bang in Galway City a stones throw from the university it will serve. Grasping at straws doesn't even begin to cover the ridiculous arguments you're trying to make.

The most basic Google search for the India reference shows they were demolished because they were in blatant breach of planning regulations. So it's absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with "bad planning practice", and everything to do with developers ignoring the law. In no way comparable to this development.

Again, I can respect Mike Cubbard's views on the character of area/impact on nearby estates, but you're just posting absolute nonsense.

I won't even get into the comical argument that strategic housing developments granted over the past six years should be all universally demolished, putting aside we're in the midst of a housing crisis.

Commoner

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119857766#Comment_119857766

I know. I spoke to dozens of people in Galway City who are mind boggled how An Bord Pleanala gave the approval for this. So many are saying it replicates the former Rahoon Flats, in a way I can see they have a point.

An Taisce and the Shantalla Residents Association seriously need to appeal this crazy An Bord Pleanala decision via Judicial Review. I hope people also remember that Fine Gael railroaded this undemocratic SHD planning legislation on people which is effectively a deregulation of Irish planning laws.

rustyfrog

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119867718#Comment_119867718

"which won't in any way lead to sustainable accommodation for our own"

Groups of students are filling up former family homes across the city for silly money that families can't compete with.

It also creates tensions in "quiet neighborhoods" when students are enjoying life late into the evenings and the neighborhoods have to be up at 7am for work.

ben.schlomo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119867742#Comment_119867742

Keep digging.

xckjoo

Its the foreigner's now. Sure at least they won't have cars so that's that problem solved

GBXI

Saw Mike Hubbard's daft, dramatic comments and just wanted to say that I think this development would be hugely positive for Westside and Galway. Student accommodation is so badly needed in the city centre and this is a 5 minute walk to NUIG. The whole "out of character" with the area is a terrible counter-argument for a part of Galway that looks the exact same as it did in the 1980s - a large, low level industrial estate. Why should we keep that "character"? The building in the drawing looks beautiful and will be the nicest building on the that side of the city.

The parking of student cars is something that needs to be planned for but it should in absolutely no way stop this from going ahead. Ireland is less car dependent that it was 30 years ago but families are much better off, hence, more students having cars. However, this can be managed by the university, local authorities, and the shopping centre to communicate with and put in policies that mean no cars should be parked in the surrounding area.

Build the accommodation!!

zell12

You should send that in to the local freesheet - except it is a 15 minute walk to OG! https://www.advertiser.ie/contact

Most of the public discourse appears to be against this development purely because of eh, reasons

The proposal have a website and a detailed transportation assessment

cal naughton

Sounds like cubbard is against the gentrification of the westside which i find hilarious

timmyntc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119889982#Comment_119889982

Not in his backyard - something something, rahoon flats.

This proposed building would be some of the most well serviced buildings in Galway - right by a bus stop, 5 minutes walk to 2 supermarkets, 2 takeaways, an off license, 10mins from UHG and NUI, 5minutes walk from westside running track and park.. etc etc

You cannot find a better place for such a building. You really cant. And all you are losing is some car parking spots and the "view" from the road of Boyle sports and a low-rise Dunnes stores.

Mrs OBumble

How do you reckon those buildings will look from Siobhan McKenna Rd?

While I agree its an excellent place for student accommodation, its certainly not city-centre, and going from 3 stories max in the rest of the neighbourhood to seven is a major jump.

Like it or not, Rahoon Flats did major damage to the public perception of high rise. The councillors are simply reflecting public opinion in the area, which is exactly what they are elected and paid to do.

timmyntc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119890256#Comment_119890256

Siobhan mcKenna road is lined with trees, you wouldnt see much anyways.

And sure there are plenty of bigger eyesores at street level in that neck of the woods than high rises 100s of meters away.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119890256#Comment_119890256

How do you reckon those buildings will look from Siobhan McKenna Rd?

I'm not sure there's any point on SMK road that this will be viewable from but even if there was thats not a reason not to build them

While I agree its an excellent place for student accommodation, its certainly not city-centre, and going from 3 stories max in the rest of the neighbourhood to seven is a major jump.

There is no requirement for student accomodation to be located in the city center so not an issue.

7 stories is not a big deal. With any luck it'll lead to more high density properties such as this in other well served sites around the city

Like it or not, Rahoon Flats did major damage to the public perception of high rise. The councillors are simply reflecting public opinion in the area, which is exactly what they are elected and paid to do.

Again, equating the rahoon flats with this is just moronic twaddle in the extreme

Unrealistic

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119890256#Comment_119890256

@Mrs OBumble The councillors are simply reflecting public opinion in the area, which is exactly what they are elected and paid to do.

Do you really view the role of elected representatives that narrowly? Is there no room in your definition for leadership; for using their position to obtain a more in depth understanding of issues affecting the community, coming to conclusions based on that understanding, and going back to constituents and making recommendations, which may go against the positions voters initially express based on limited information or narrowly focussed messaging, and trying to inform and persuade?

Mrs OBumble

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119890330#Comment_119890330

You think that the residents of Westside are moronic twaddlers? Charming.

Suggest you don't tell them that to their faces.

How many seven story building are in your neighbourhood?