(Photo caption: An artist’s impression of the completed housing development in Kilgarve.)
Planning permission has been granted in the past month for 63 homes in Kilgarve, with Galway County Council attaching 28 conditions on the development.
Phase one of the development will consist of 40 units. This will consist of: 22 three-bed semi-detached houses, four three-bed terraced houses, two two-bed terraced houses, four two-bed duplexes and eight one-bed apartments. The second phase will see the construction of the remaining 23 units, which includes: six three-bed semi-detached houses, six three-bed terraced houses, five two-bed terraced houses, two two-bed duplexes and four one-bed apartments.
The development promoted by Brackenside Investments is estimated to be worth about €6.5 million by the construction sector and also includes provision for: parking, bike shelters, private and communal open spaces, public realm landscaping, public lighting, water services and connections to public mains, with access through the Rathglass Estate. It is the first substantial private residential estate to come to market since Rathbawn and Lios Garbh on the Portnick Road some 8 years ago.
The permission granted for the development comes attached with 28 strict conditions covering site construction, infrastructure, environmental protection, and financial obligations. The developer must strictly adhere to the approved plans for construction environment management under the supervision of an Ecological Clerk of Works, with groundworks monitored by a licensed archaeologist.
At least 20% of the public space on the finished site will be allocated for a “pollinator zone” and planted with predominantly native plants. Strict controls also govern external building finishes, with all finishes to use local, natural stone only. Other rules govern boundary treatments, estate naming, and dust emissions. Site access and internal roads must meet urban design standards and Uisce Éireann water specifications, supported by mandatory independent road safety, stormwater, and traffic management audits. The developers must also develop a traffic management plan for the construction phase.
Work on the development will not begin until the developer has received a Connection Agreement from Uisce Eireann for water services. Construction must only take place from 8am–7pm Monday–Friday and 8am–2pm on Saturdays. 13 of the units will be for Part B (Social and Affordable Residences). Before any work begins, the developer must lodge a road reinstatement bond, establish a private management company, complete both Part V social housing and Section 47 first-time buyer agreements, and settle the required €244,059 development contribution along with a special infrastructure fee with Galway County Council.
Combined with the 50 units in Poolboy/Harbour Road, given full planning some months ago, it means that the community can anticipate another 113 residential units in the next 36 months.
