Development which consists of: The University of Galway are applying for planning…

Proposed development

Permission for development which consists of: The University of Galway are applying for planning permission to Galway City Council to facilitate the development of a new School of Medicine at a site located at the University of Galway, Co. Galway. There is an existing building, known as Block E, located on the site. Block E is a protected structure (RPS No. 10309 - Civil Engineering Block). There are 4 no. other protected structures in the vicinity of the subject site including RPS No. 10310 (Dept. of Education Block), RPS. No. 8501 (rivers & waterways, including embankments and walling), RPS No. 10308 (Former IMI Building) and RPS No. 10307 (Martin Ryan Institute). The proposed site extends to 0.36 hectares. The development will consist of: 1. Demolition of the existing 3-storey extension of Block E and the existing prefabricated building to the immediate north-east of Block E and the removal of 20 no. car parking spaces. 2. The construction of a part 4-storey building to accommodate teaching, research and administration facilities for the School of Medicine. The proposed building extends to c. 3,925sqm and has an overall maximum height of c. 20.7m. 3. The ground floor consists of tutorial rooms, a seminar room and a collaboration zone. The first floor incorporates further seminar rooms and study areas. The upper floors contain seminar rooms, research labs, bench space areas, meeting rooms and offices. 4. Restoration of the original northern elevation of Block E and the provision of a glazed atrium link connecting Block E to the proposed building. 5. Provision of landscaping, bicycle parking and public lighting. 6. Provision of plant and photovoltaic panels at roof level of the proposed building. 7. 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 supported by a Natura Impact Statement (NIS).

What happens next

Permission was granted on 9 Sept 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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