The University of Galway are applying for a 10-year planning permission to Galway City…

Proposed development

The University of Galway are applying for a 10-year planning permission to Galway City Council to facilitate the development of a new Performance Place building on a site located at Earl’s Island, University Road (R863), University of Galway, Co. Galway. There are 3 no. protected structures located in the vicinity of the site including RPS No. 3609 (a lime kiln), RPS No. 8501 (rivers & waterways, including embankments and walling) and RPS No. 3608 (known as Weir Lodge). The proposed site extends to 0.3 hectares. The development will consist of the following: 1. Demolish 5 no. existing warehouse buildings located on site. 2. The construction of a 2-storey building to accommodate a dual use academic teaching space and a creative arts and performance space. The proposed building extends to 2,567sqm, has an overall maximum height of 12.25m and features climbing plants on the western elevation. 3. The proposed Performance Place features a 420 no. seat theatre extending to 396.3sqm with tiered seating and an associated back of house space measuring 39.5sqm and a green room area measuring 39.3sqm. 4. The ground floor incorporates a central atrium space, a café and multi-purpose space. The building also includes a sustainable transport hub with secure bicycle storage, showers and changing facilities. 5. The first floor includes 5 no. offices, 6 no. practice rooms, a 35 no. desk classroom, a multipurpose room, store rooms and associated ancillary spaces. 6. The provision of an accessible set-down area in the southeastern portion of the site. 7. Provision of hard and soft landscaping, external bicycle parking (including accessible parking) and public lighting. 8. Provision of plant and photovoltaic panels at roof level of the proposed building. 9. An ESB substation and associated switch room is located in the southwestern portion of the proposed building. 10. Removal of the columns currently supporting the existing warehouse building to be demolished, which is partially located in the Distillery River, to the immediate west of the application site. 11. Provision of a temporary site compound area to the east of the proposed Performance Place building to facilitate construction. 12. Provision of all associated surface water, watermain and foul water drainage services and connections (including nature-based drainage solutions) and all associated site works and ancillary services necessary to facilitate the proposed development. This application is suppo

What happens next

Permission was granted on 1 Aug 2025. Third parties may appeal within four weeks; after that the permission is final and works can start once a commencement notice is lodged.

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