The fate of the Galway Shopping Centre will be decided at October's meeting of the city council, according to sources in City Hall.

Galway Shopping Centre.

Plans to redevelop the flagship centre have been in the pipeline since early 2005, when Lindat Ltd initially submitted the application to Galway City Council. However, further information was requested later in 2005 and after lengthy consideration by council officials, the final decision will be made by councillors at October's meeting.

Councillors do not vote on run of the mill planning applications. However, according to a spokesperson for the city council, the application to redevelop the Galway Shopping Centre involves a 'material contravention' of the current local area plan, because accommodating it would involve rezoning of areas around the centre.

Voting for a material contravention requires 11 out of 15 councillors to be in favour. Council officials will be recommending granting permission for the upgrade.

A new road linking the centre with the Sean Mulvoy Road will relieve some of the pressure from the Headford Road 'magic' roundabout, if the rezoning is granted.

This rezoning could also have an impact on the Headford Road Framework Plan and the controversial new road proposed under that scheme, although they are two separate plans.

Speaking to the Galway Independent, Councillor Niall O Brolcháin said he was broadly in favour of the plan, but added that he would be raising his concerns about potential damage to Terryland Forest Park from the redevelopment.

"I would welcome the proposed development in relation to the Galway Shopping Centre but not at the expense of Terryland Forest Park. This can't be seen in isolation from the proposals involving the Terryland Forest Park, so we will have to look at it in that context," he said.

According to Brendan Smith of the Friends of the Forest group, the developers have written a letter saying that a roadway through the Forest Park would not be an attribute for the Shopping Centre redevelopment. The group has welcomed this move.

"As far as we're concerned the whole area along the Headford Road needs development, on both sides, because it's quite ugly at the moment, but it could become a lovely boulevard with cycle lanes and trees, and the green way just off it," he said.

A spokesperson for Harcourt Developments said that rumours surrounding Debenhams and Marks and Spencers becoming anchor tenants for the centre were no more than speculation. He said that conditions were expected "as is normal with planning permission".

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