60-home Galway development awaits decision as concerns over river’s protects species are addressed
Planning permission has been tabled for a residential development of more than 60 housing units at Kilgarve, Ballinasloe, Co Galway to be delivered in two phases.
Brackenside Investments is seeking approval for Phase One, which would comprise 40 units. These include 22 three-bedroom semi-detached houses, four three-bedroom terraced houses, six two-bedroom houses, and eight one-bedroom apartments.
Phase Two would deliver the remaining one-, two- and three-bedroom units associated with the development, along with all ancillary works.
The 1.6-hectare site borders several existing housing estates, including Hawthorn Road, Kilgarve Park, Rath Glas and Hawthorn Close, and adjoins managed grassland to the south. The site is also located within 800 metres of the River Suck, prompting consideration of potential impacts on wildlife and habitats arising from the development.
The River Suck Callows Special Protection Area (SPA) supports a range of protected species and habitats.
Planning documentation notes that indirect impacts from construction-related noise and vibration cannot be conclusively ruled out in terms of potential effects on qualifying bird species associated with the SPA.
A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) was submitted with the application and concludes that the proposed development is not expected to have any direct, indirect or secondary impacts on the River Suck Callows SPA during either the construction or operational phases.
Best practice and mitigation efforts were recommended by the NIS stating construction to occur outside the wintering birds season.
Under the Galway County Development Plan 2022–2028, Ballinasloe is designated a “key town” for sustainable growth, with provision for 1,151 new homes over the plan period marking it a prime candidate for this development.
At the time of writing, no public submissions have been published. Submissions remain open until January 24, 2026, with a planning decision expected by mid-February.