Galway landowner ‘not disappointed’ despite rejection of potential for 350 homes

Land bank on the Cappagh Road could have accommodated up to 350 new houses

Published 30th Sep 2026, 21:06 BST Iconic Land bank on the Cappagh Road could have accommodated up to 350 new houses A Galway landowner has said he is “not disappointed” after city councillors rejected a proposal to rezone a substantial parcel of land at Cappagh Road for residential development.

The 4.72-hectare site at Cappagh Road had been put forward for residential zoning.

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Council officials told a recent meeting at City Hall that a site of this scale could potentially accommodate around 350 homes.

However, councillors ultimately backed the Chief Executive’s recommendation not to proceed with the residential zoning, citing concerns over roads, wastewater services and the suitability of the location for a major residential development.

Speaking after the decision, landowner Thomas Lally said he accepted the council’s decision and was instead looking towards the opportunity for the lands to be reconsidered in 2028.

"I was hoping to get part of my land zoned in Cappagh Road. I am happy that the Chief Executive will come back to it in 2028, that the developers will work in conjunction with Galway City Council to improve and upgrade the Cappagh Road, which is badly wanted. It is a decision that they have made. I am happy with what happened."

Landmark building proposed for former Salthill tourist office site Galway 'one of the worst' for house building as councillors demand more Government funding He said his priority was for badly needed improvements be made to the Cappagh Road and welcomed the prospect of developers working with Galway City Council on its upgrade.

Mr Lally described Cappagh Road as being in poor condition and said that while the City Council had carried out some works, more needed to be done.

"The City Council has done a certain amount of work on the road but has left it in a bad state," he continued.

The official recommendation pointed to the site's distance from the existing built-up area, limitations in the road network and the lack of adequate wastewater infrastructure, footpaths and public lighting.

The debate took on a more personal tone when Cllr Michael Crowe (FF) spoke about the impact such decisions can have on landowners and their families.

“The worst thing is the impact on a human being and a family,” he said.

City Hall site rezoned despite housing and ownership concerns He said people could put their “heart and soul” into submissions over many years and acknowledged that the applicant had “travelled a long road on this site over many years”.

Cllr Crowe said he had supported the application previously but, having considered the information before the councillors, found it difficult to maintain that position.

He said the numbers were not there to support the rezoning and that approving it “wouldn’t be the right thing to do today”.

However, he suggested the lands could be in a better position when the Galway City Development Plan comes up for review in 2028 and sought a commitment that work would take place in the meantime to improve the situation.

Mayor Helen Ogbu (Lab) said councillors also had to consider the wider needs of Galway.

“We are thinking about you,” she said, adding that the council had to look at “the common good of the community and people of Galway”.

She said there was a need to ramp up housing delivery but believed it was too early to proceed with the Cappagh Road proposal.

Cllr Alan Curran (SocDem) supported the Chief Executive’s recommendation, saying there were “too many unknowns” surrounding the site at present.

He pointed to issues including wastewater infrastructure, transport and Cappagh Road itself, saying the proposal was premature until greater clarity was available.

Cllr Donal Lyons (Ind) also opposed the rezoning, saying agreements would be needed with other landowners to facilitate road widening and that the necessary groundwork had to be put in place.

Cllr Declan McDonnell (Ind) suggested the 2028 development plan review would give those behind the proposal an opportunity to engage further on the infrastructure required.

Maenwhile, Cllr Eddie Hoare (FG) had proposed accepting the residential zoning, arguing that the site could benefit from improved connectivity associated with the Galway City Ring Road.

The Office of the Planning Regulator had also objected to residential zoning at Cappagh Road.