Fresh concerns over Seveso impact on Galway docklands redevelopment

Questions have emerged over whether Seveso safety regulations could affect future redevelopment plans at Galway docks.

Published 11th Jun 2026, 10:00 BST Iconic Questions have emerged over whether Seveso safety regulations could affect future redevelopment plans at Galway docks. Sign up to our Connacht Tribune Today daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Connacht Tribune within your account.

At a recent meeting of Galway City Council, Fianna Fáil Cllr Alan Cheevers questioned whether a Health and Safety Authority (HSA) objection to a major apartment development at Galway Port could “come back at us down the road” and affect wider docklands redevelopment plans.

Cllr Cheevers raised the HSA objection with Port of Galway Chairperson Maurice O'Gorman and asked “where are we with that?”

“Before we put in planning permission, did we anticipate the HSA would intervene?” he asked. “In relation to Seveso legislation, could this impede the development at the docks and do we need to look at this?”

His comments related to a proposed 356-unit apartment development at Galway Port, led by the Land Development Agency, which spans four blocks up to 13 storeys high.

Last November, the HSA advised planners to refuse permission for the Amharc Atalia development under Seveso regulations, which govern major accident hazards involving dangerous substances.

The HSA submission raised concerns about nearby fuel storage tanks and the potential risk of an overpressure explosion.

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Port of Galway Chairperson Maurice O'Gorman said he could not comment directly on the active planning application but addressed Seveso regulations in general terms.

“Seveso is a piece of EU legislation which is interpretative,” he said.

“When we run the models, none of our lands designated residential fall within Seveso. Someone else could run the model using different parameters.

“The line could move depending on how you look at the worst-case scenario. You get differences of opinion. We did not embark on this process without doing it. We got independent experts to come in and, in their view, these lands are not governed by Seveso.”

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Cllr Clodagh Higgins (FG) described the wider docklands redevelopment as “a catalyst for regeneration of the docklands and east side of the city” and “a flagship example of sustainable maritime investment”.

She also raised concerns about the pace of progress on the Land Development Agency housing project and suggested the agency attend a future council meeting to provide an update.

“There are concerns over the pace in relation to movement of the LDA,” she said. “We need to hold people accountable.”

Cllr Higgins added that securing planning approval for both the Galway Ring Road and the port extension represented a major milestone for the city.

“We have waited a long time for two major projects and to get word of the ring road and port on the same day was fantastic for the city,” she said.

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Related topics: HSA Galway City Council Planning permission Regeneration Sign up to our Connacht Tribune Today daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Connacht Tribune within your account.