Development which consists of: The refurbishment and extension of the McLaughlin Building…

Proposed development

Permission for development which consists of: The refurbishment and extension of the McLaughlin Building (a Protected Structure RPS Ref. 7406 Former Mill - NUIG) for educational use including associated academic teaching and study spaces; administrative areas; staff and student welfare facilities; café and ancillary plant and storage areas. The McLaughlin Building occupies the site of a 17th Century causeway (a Recorded Monument GA094-100033) situated on the Eglinton Canal/Gaol River (a Protected Structure RPS Ref. 8501 Rivers/Waterways) and contains a series of culverts beneath the building. The proposed works to the McLaughlin Building will include the removal of the mid- to late-20th Century roof and fifth floor level (approx. 374.1 sqm gross floor area (GFA)); and the construction of two additional floors, resulting in an overall increase in height of the building from 5 storeys to 6 storeys (with maximum proposed height of 30.03 m AOD, c. 23.22m above proposed ground floor level). The proposed works will result in an increase in GFA from 2,962.17 sqm to 3,962.7 sqm. Further interventions to the McLaughlin Building will include: • Removal of existing mid- to late 20th Century building fabric the south-west corner to be replaced with an ESB Substation and Switchroom at ground floor level overclad with perforated aluminium panels to match proposed new aluminium curtain walling with glazed openings on upper levels. • Provision of a new external stair and lift core on the north elevation. • Removal of selected areas of the late 20th Century internal steel frame and concrete slabs, provision of new foundations in selected areas, new ground floor slab build-up throughout and new structural frame to support the additional floors. • Existing 20th Century windows and doors to be replaced with new thermally broken aluminium doors and windows to match existing openings, and repair of window reveals and cills. • Creation of new entrance on the northern elevation (incorporating two original window openings); enlargement of three existing openings at ground floor level of southern elevations and alterations to two window and door openings to provide compliant door openings to the new escape stair to the northern elevation. • Removal of cement render and retention and repair of original rubble and limestone masonry walls. • Removal of mid to late 20th Century extension to the northern elevation. • Removal of non-original subdivisions and provision of new

What happens next

The decision has been appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanála. The appeal outcome replaces the council decision.

• Open the official file on the Galway planning register ↗
• Street View at this location ↗
• More applications in Galway
• Planning a smaller project? Since 27 July 2026 many need no permission: check yours
• How the application process works