Part 8 - Church Street, Loughrea (The Market Yard)

Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) and Part 8 of the Planning & Development Regulations 2001 (as amended).

Demolition and Replacement of Existing Cottage at Church Street,

Loughrea, Co. Galway.

Pursuant to the requirements of the above, Galway County Council propose to carry out the following works at Church Street, Loughrea, Co. Galway:

Demolition of existing cottage and construction of a new multi-purpose covered structure. The proposed development includes new signage, an enclosed bin store, connection to existing services, hard and soft landscaping, and all associated site works. The following uses will be accommodated on the site: outdoor traders market, outdoor performances and community events and ancillary uses associated with the use of the Town Hall.

The subject works are located within the Loughrea Architectural Conservation Area. The site is adjacent to the Loughrea Town Hall which is on the Record of Protected Structures No. 315 and listed on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage No. 30337027

A Stage 1 ‘Appropriate Assessment’ screening was carried out for the proposed development and Galway County Council has concluded that a Stage 2 ‘Appropriate Assessment’ (Natura Impact Assessment- NIS) is not required.

An Appropriate Assessment screening report and Environmental Impact Assessment screening report in respect of the development has been carried out and are available for inspection. The reports concluded that a full EIAR is not required, and that the development does not need to proceed to Stage 2 Appropriate Assessment. Where any person considers that a development proposed to be carried out would be likely to have significant effects on the environment, he or she may, at any time before the expiration of 4 weeks beginning on the date of publication of the notice referred to in article 81(2), apply to An Bord Pleanála for a screening determination as to whether the development would be likely to have such effects.

The Planning Application may be inspected / purchased at a fee (not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy) at the offices of the Planning Authority at the:

·         Planning Office, Galway County Council, County Hall, Prospect Hill, Galway during office hours 9.00am to 4.00pm Monday to Friday (Wednesday 10.00 am to 4.00pm) from 30th October 2026 to 27th November 2026.

·         The offices of Galway County Council Loughrea Area Office, Barrack Street, Loughrea, County Galway, H62 K065 during office hours 9.00am to 4.00pm Monday to Friday (Wednesday 10.00 am to 4.00pm) from 30th October 2026 to 27th November 2026.

·         Galway County Council’s Consultation Portal at https://consult.galway.ie/.

Submissions or observations in relation to the proposed development, dealing with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area in which the development would be situated, may be made in writing to The County Secretary, Galway County Council, P.O. Box No. 27, Áras an Chontae, Prospect Hill, Galway, H91 H6KX; or in electronic format via the consultation website at https://planning.localgov.ie/en/search/application to arrive not later than 4pm on the 11th December 2026 and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions or may refuse to grant permission.

Signed: Liam Hanrahan, Director of Services, Economic Development and Planning.