Galway City Tribune September 26, 1997
Watchdog group praises developer
Developers should liase more with residents before lodging their planning applications with the planning authority to avoid delays, it was claimed this week.
One city developer’s move to consult with two local environmental watchdog groups has been praised by Cairde na Gaillimhe who believe that his example should be followed by other developers.
A spokesman for Cairde told the City Tribune that Gerard Barrett, the developer of a planned £20 million shops and apartment project on the existing Corbett’s Yard carpark site, had met with them and representatives of An Taisce before finalising his plans.
Mr. Barrett invited Cairde, An Taisce, the Galway Civic Trust and local representatives of the Office of Public Works to meet with him so that they could see the plans he was submitting to Galway Corporation.
Mr. Barrett stressed that he had also met with city planners at various stages over the course of two years until the plans were ready to be lodged with the local authority.
The Cairde spokesman said that the meeting with Mr. Barrett had been constructive and that his group’s only concern was with the lack of public space and amenities in the complex.
However, Mr. Barrett took these observations on board and he hopes to make some provision for this in the proposed development.
Cairde believes that more and more city developers should be liasing with them before lodging their plans with the planning authority to avoid delays and objections.
“No doubt this sort of thing should be encouraged. There is much more liaison between developers and residents in Dublin than here. It is in everybody’s interest to have dialogue and the earlier in the process, the better.
“Mr. Barrett’s development was in the city centre and because there was no organised residents’ group, he invited us to meet with him. It was a constructive meeting and he took our considerations on board.
“At least this way, developers can get an idea where the objections are and what they are. The planning authority might have one set of criteria but local people have other criteria.”
But the Cairde spokesman denied that they were setting themselves up as another planning authority for the city and said that they were just a concerned group of citizens interested in the shape their city was taking.
Mr. Barrett said that because he was a native of the city centre, he empathised with city centre residents’ concerns about new developments and for that reason he wanted to ensure that he had met with all the local groups.
“I also met with them out of courtesy. I went to them and gave them the opportunity to see my plans. This development has been in the planning stages for two years and I felt I should consult with these groups in the process.”
By Bernie Nilatharta
Press Releases Archive
24th November 2005
The interior of the new G hotel in Galway - designed by Philip Treacy - is extraordinarily glamourous.
The Irish Times 16th November 2005
Drogheda became one of the last big towns in Ireland to move into the modern shopping era last Thursday when the stunning new Scotch Hall shopping centre opened, marking the first phase of the rejuvenation of the rundown docklands area. The €200 million complex is one of the finest on the east coast.
Sunday Times Style Magazine 13th November 2005
Someone’s let Philip Treacy loose on a hotel in Ireland. Dominic Bradbury surveys the results.
Sunday Business Post 28th September 2005
The finishing touches are being put to Scotch Hall, Galway developer Gerry Barrett's €150 million retail and leisure development on the south bank of the river Boyne in Drogheda, Co Louth. The scheme, which is expected to draw customers from as far afield as Navan, Newry, Dundalk and Dublin, has been six years in the pipeline and has been under construction for just over two years.
Sunday Tribune 23rd January 2005
A 27-STOREY residential tower, part of a plan to further develop the river side area of Drogheda, could have the similar effect on the town that the Guggenheim museum had on Bilbao, according to architect Gerry Hand of Douglas Wallace.
The Irish Times 10th November 2004
The Galway property developer Gerry Barrett has bought the distinctive Victorian University Hall in Hatch Street, Dublin 2, for over €16 million.
3rd September 2004
Irish-based property company Edward Holdings has launched a new subsidiary hotel brand, Monogram Hotels.
The Sunday Tribune: 14th November 2004
It’s a €100m near sellout as the country’s wealthiest buyers splash out on Gerry Barrett’s D4 development.
The Irish Times: 1st July 2004
The final 17 apartments and coach-houses in what is the most exclusive and expensive scheme in Galway go on the market today.
The Connacht Tribune: 31st January 2003
Two international hotel chains have expressed interest in operating a 129-bedroom hotel in Wellpark which has been given planning approval by city planners.
The Connacht Tribune: 4th October 2002
Plans for a 129-bedroom hotel at Moneenageisha Cross, to replace part of an already approved office development, have been submitted to the City Council.
Drogheda Independent: 19th June 2002
Drogheda Borough Councillors have given the green light to the ambitious Scotch Hall development on the South Quay - despite an objection from Parolen Limited the developers of the Laurence Street shopping development.
Drogheda Independent: 29th March 2002
The proposed Scotch Hall development planned for Drogheda's south quay will lead to 550 jobs according to the developers.
Irish Times: 27th March 2002
The 200-year-old Bloomfield Hospital and grounds off Morehampton Road in Donnybrook, Dublin 4, is to be redeveloped as one of the city's most exclusive residential enclaves with houses costing up to £2.5 million (€4m) each.
Irish Times: 5th September 2001
Atlantic Homecare is to anchor a new retail park at one of the principal gateways to Galway city.
Drogheda Independent: 30th March 2001
Drogheda's Docklands are to be transformed by an ambitious £50 million redevelopment on the site of the Lakelands grain store.
Galway City Tribune: 12th January 2001
A multi-million pound development which will provide a specialist shopping centre and offices for high-tech companies is being planned for the Wellpark area.
Drogheda Independent: 30th June 2000
The Skyline of Drogheda may be about to change with the possible demolition and removal of the large grey metal silos in the Lakeland Dairies premises on the Marsh Road now that the company is apparently considering relocating to a more rural location.
Galway City Tribune: 14th April 2000
The new £40 million shopping complex, Edward Square, opened its doors on Wednesday morning and enjoyed brisk business all day as thousands thronged the new centre.
Galway City Tribune: 10th September 1999
Top UK retailer 'Next' have been confirmed as tenants of the £26 million Edward Square shopping complex which is hoped to open on schedule at the end of November just in time for the hectic Christmas shopping period.
Watchdog group praises developer
Galway City Tribune: 26th September 1997
Developers should liase more with residents before lodging their planning applications with the planning authority to avoid delays, it was claimed this week.
Irish Independent: 23rd July 1997
A major new shopping scheme is on the cards for Barrack Lane in Galway City which will see a new department store, ten shops and up to 50 new homes put in place costing £22m.
