Galway City Council has proposed to make a variation to the Galway City Development Plan 2023 – 2029 pursuant to Section 58 of the Planning and Development Act 2024. This variation is the third proposed variation to the Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029.
Variation No. 3 was prepared to respond to the publication of the National Planning Framework First Revision and the publication of the NPF Implementation: Housing Growth Requirements Ministerial Guidelines published under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended).
In addressing the new housing growth requirements and other changes to National planning policy, the variation proposed changes to the written statement and maps of the Galway City Development Plan 2023 - 2029 including, inter alia: changes to land use zoning objectives for a number of identified lands to facilitate residential uses; the identification of locations to provide for long-term housing needs beyond the lifetime of the current Development Plan; additions to and/or changes of policies, objectives and measures to support and facilitate the development and activation of existing residential zoned lands.
The Proposed Variation was accompanied by:
- A Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Environmental Report (including an SEA screening determination) under the Planning and Development (SEA) Regulations 2004, as amended;
- An Appropriate Assessment (AA) Natura Impact Report (including an AA screening determination) in accordance with Part 6 of the Act; and
- A Strategic Flood Risk Assessment Report in accordance with the requirements of Section 28 Ministerial Guidelines “The Planning System and Flood Risk Management Guidelines for Planning Authorities” (2009).
Public consultation on Variation No. 3 took place between 6 March 2026 and 7 April 2026. A copy of the proposed variation and associated SEA, AA and SFRA documents are available to view and download online at the below link.
A Chief Executive's Report has been prepared which summarises all submissions received and provides a response and recommendation, where relevant, to issues raised, and is available to download below. This report was issued to elected members on 30 April 2026 and, in accordance with Section 58 of the Planning and Development Act 2024, the Elected Members will consider the proposed variation and the contents of the CE Report and make a decision whether to make the variation with or without modification, or refuse to make the variation within 6 weeks of this date.
Notice of Determination in Respect of the Appropriate Assessment of Proposed Variation No. 3 to the Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029
With respect to the Determination in respect of the Appropriate Assessment of Proposed Variation No. 3 to the Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029, on the basis of a screening for appropriate assessment, the planning authority has determined that the likelihood of Proposed Variation No. 3 to the City Development Plan 2023-2029 (either individually or in combination with any project or other plan) having significant effects on European sites cannot be excluded (the potential effects that could arise from the Proposed Variation were examined in the context of several factors that could result in likely significant effects, if unmitigated, to any European site) and that, as a consequence and having regard to the conservation objectives relating to relevant European sites, an Appropriate Assessment of the Proposed Variation is required to be carried out.
The Determination in relation to the need for Appropriate Assessment can be downloaded below.