Early plans to regenerate a site in Galway city centre for mixed-use space have taken a major step forward.

The Land Development Agency (LDA) is set to progress a major enabling review study on a c.20-acre site in the hope of creating a new sustainable neighbourhood.

Located at Sandy Road near Terryland, the site is being eyed for up to 1,000 new homes, together with employment and leisure spaces.

The LDA will collaborate with a range of public sector and other landowners, which is sub-divided into a number of holdings, to progress the project.

A Memorandum of Understanding is also being finalised with Galway City Council in relation to the Site, which will provide for a review of its development potential and how the delivery of much needed affordable accommodation can be achieved.

The process will commence immediately with an expert panel appointed by the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) to conduct a design review.

This panel will be chaired by John Martin, a former senior planner who has worked with An Bord Pleanála, Dublin local authorities and the former Department of the Environment. The panel will complete its review by the end of March 2020.

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The review process, which is being funded by the LDA, will evaluate the potential for the site and provide a high-level vision of what the development could comprise. The outcome of the design review will be put on public display and will act as a platform for public consultation and engagement to ensure that the people of Galway have their say in how the project delivers high-quality housing, employment and leisure facilities that adhere to the latest design and sustainability principles. 

Speaking about the progress, Chairman of the LDA, John Moran, said: "The LDA is about helping to deliver thousands of much needed homes all across the country. Getting ahead of demand for homes is key to Galway's continuing success as a regional city. So it is great to see our first project in the West of the Ireland kicking into action to help build a new future for Galway.

"The site will bring not just much needed homes but help change how people go about their daily lives. We would like to see a neighbourhood designed for a new way of living given its proximity to Galway city centre and key transport links."

Brendan McGrath, Chief Executive of Galway City Council added: "Under the National Planning Framework, Galway City will grow its population by 50 % to 120,000 people in 2040. Much of this growth will take place in the inner suburbs.

"Sandy Road offers a major regeneration opportunity to build a mixed-tenure, urban quarter within 15 minutes' walk of Eyre Square. This will enable very high quality modern sustainable, non-car based urban living.

"This collaboration and partnership with the LDA offers a unique and unparalleled opportunity for the early regeneration of these brown-field lands, acting as a catalyst for the wider redevelopment of Liosbaun and the Headford Road area."

(CM/MH)