Major private housing project for Tuam
Just under 150 houses proposed
A RESIDENTIAL development of 149 homes would be the first major private housing project to be built in Tuam for approximately 20 years if it is granted approval.
A planning application for the Large Scale Residential Development (LRD) has just been lodged by Galway company Beradine Ltd. It is earmarked for a site zoned Residential Phase 1 in Farranamartin on the Galway Road.
The new homes would comprise of 99 three-bedroom houses and 26 two-bedroom units. There would be eight four-bedroom dwellings and 16 are to be one-bedroom units.
The applicant intends to build a single-storey creche to provide 36 childcare care places close to the main entrance as part of the development. An existing derelict house and sheds are due to be demolished as part of the plans.
The 4.2 hectare site is owned by the applicant and it's understood that plans for the multi-million-euro project have been worked on for the past two years.
The private development is separate to the 62 social housing development on a nearby site also in Farranamartin off the Galway Road that was approved by Galway County Councillors last October.
However, the application does set out the possibility of a pedestrian connection to the Council Part 8 development. It also indicates possible future connections to adjacent residential developments and surrounding lands that are zoned Residential Phase 2.
In Feburary, Galway County Councillors voted in favour of making changes to the County Development Plan which would allow R1 and R2 zoned lands to be treated equally in terms of planning. This was aimed at making the 42hectares of R2 lands around Tuam more attractive to develop and has the potential for the construction of some 1,500 new homes.
The entrance to the proposed housing development is located beside the Circle K service station and adjoins the Hazel Court and Country Meadows estates, as well as Tuam Celtic AFC grounds. The planning application provides for 271 car parking spaces, 497 bicycle parking spaces and 80 short-term visitor spaces. It also sets out designs for communal open space and a playground, with an ESB substation to be constructed to service the development.
The Tuam development is a proposed LRD, which must be submitted to the local authority as opposed to directly with An Coimisiún Pleanála. However, any decision made by the local planning authority can be appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanála.
The application is currently being considered by planners at County Hall and a decision is expected towards the end of July.