240 Bed Student Accommodation In Westside

Storm 10

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123376137#Comment_123376137

Never happen due safety risks to helicopters in and out of the hospital, Council refused 1 floor extension there at Arch due to the helicopters operations still a safety risk with the new 7 storey building, amazed it was passed they never took into account the hospital pad..

beardybrewer

I'd never heard that term, but I guess it's the style of roads in commercial areas that are as wide as motorways (3 or 5 lanes: like 2 lanes for either direction and then a center lane used to turn directly into the carpark). Not possible here alright.

You're right about Aldi Westside might have been more obvious choice. 3D Google Maps now available for Galway. Interesting to see how much real estate there is when viewed from above. There's lots of space, they don't all have to be on a carpark.

what_traffic

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123376503#Comment_123376503

Its a big site - does not need to be HIGH to have residential element as part of it. The Seamus Quirke Road is the Primary Bus Galway Connnects Corridor so construction density along it will need to happen

Wompa1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123376595#Comment_123376595

There was a redevelopment plan drawn up in 2023, from what I recall. Also, the old site along Sandy Rd is being ear marked for redevelopment which is long overdue. A lot of Galway is showing its age in a bad way like Liosban Industrial Estate. It is mad to think shops/restaurants are likely paying a high premium in buildings in a large industrial estate that looks like it should be condemned. Imagine the transformation that could be made by tackling Sandy Rd and Liosban Industrial Estate alone and building it up.

what_traffic

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123382479#Comment_123382479

Ya that's another good example of bad Galway City planning- a bit daft it was allowed to Develop into a retail commercial area.

Am looking forward to further the Brownfield developments like Sandy Road, Dyke Road and the O'Higgins site across the road from Westside Shopping Centre. City needs more population density, needs to be affordable for residents.

GBXI

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123385832#Comment_123385832

What's the latest with the Sandy Road and the O'Higgins developments? O'Higgins must be planning approved nearly a year now and nothing seems to have happened with Sandy Road. Also, Red Lane development at the old O'Higgins spot has had planning approved for ages and the site is still derelict.

zell12

Tribune opines:

 this student complex off Seamus Quirke Road is a prime example of bad planning. Even the Council’s own planners said it was contrary to the City Development Plan - and they urged ABP to reject it. The planners said it was a “substandard development”; its height and scale were “excessive and overwhelming”. It was “inappropriate”, “unacceptable”, “visually obtrusive” and “contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development” ..

what_traffic

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123389303#Comment_123389303

The same planners and planning Dept who have helped create PLENTY of substandard developments across the City?

They could have created Local Area Development plans for many areas of the City( like here) if they had wanted to have greater overall input - which might have actually helped their case here IMHO.

Ideally though the whole Westside Retail Centre (and other nearby sites) should be re-developed as a whole area rather than piecemeal Development that we currently have - the kind of planning that a Local Area Development plan would have built into it.

what_traffic

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123387753#Comment_123387753

No idea - passed the MAIN site notice this morning, it was erected 28-08-2023 and has passed planning as you say. I guess its down to the relocation of existing business and financing now? Hopefully works at the old premises that backs onto Davis Road in Shantalla at Maunsells Road junction can be started sooner

timmyntc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123400481#Comment_123400481

No guarantee it ever gets developed. Site could be sold on with planning just to get a bigger sale price, it may not actually be viable. If it was, youd expect progress by now

Mrs OBumble

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123400977#Comment_123400977

This.

PP just means the council don't object, not that it will ever be built. I giggle every time I see something announced here just 'cos it has planning.

what_traffic

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123400977#Comment_123400977

I would be pretty confident it will get Developed - but YES could get sold in the morning for that to happen.

Psychlops

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123365324#Comment_123365324

You must not be paying much attention to it then, nearly always full. Only ever seen it quiet on a Sunday morning before mass.

Unrealistic

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123427175#Comment_123427175

And yet, if you look at Google Street View and cycle back through the different shots over the years, you'll see that the car park was reasonably busy but had plenty free spaces in all the recent views (2022, 2019 and 2017). I've never struggled to find a space there.

zell12

But how much of those spaces were staff parking there?

Mrs OBumble

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123427860#Comment_123427860

By definition, a space does not have anyone parked in it it is available for use.

Unless you are saying that some spaces are reserved for staff use only? I've not noticed that there.

xckjoo

By definition it's a space designated for parking. Whether it's in use or not doesn't change that.

They're clearly wondering how many are taken by staff on any given day.

what_traffic

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123427855#Comment_123427855

True - its a shopping centre that gets a lot of local footfall from all directions. Decent enough permeability around it, could be improved. See many people from local area walk and cycle to the stores

zell12

Ah yes, posted recently that 22% of spaces are for Dunnes staff

the removal of 94 spaces from the carpark, leaving 238 spaces – although Dunnes Stores have said that 52 of these are for staff use and not currently available to the public.

Psychlops

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123429634#Comment_123429634

Dunnes Staff all park out the back in the Stock Delivery Area.

Psychlops

Youre taking how busy a car park is on any given year from a plane flying overhead on a random day..

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123427175#Comment_123427175

timmyntc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123439150#Comment_123439150

it was my local for years and only ever saw it fill up on saturdays, which also sees terryland and knocknacarra retail parks fill up too

Unrealistic

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123439150#Comment_123439150

a) Google Street View is photographed from a car not a plane.

b) I'm not talking about a random day, I'm talking about 3 samples with all 3 showing plenty free space. Would more samples be nice, sure, but at least those pictures are objective rather than randomers posting about how it is either always full or never full.

c) If you do prefer randomer's views to objective data I also offered my own experience as a regular visitor to the shopping centre.

d) Learn how to use the quote function. It's not rocket science.

what_traffic

Drilling derrick on the site is gone so expect to see those concrete floors starting to rise in the next couple of months.