ABOUT
Kingston Park and Millers Lane - Public Park and Urban Realm Project
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 177AE(4) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) notice is hereby given that Galway City Council is seeking the approval of An Coimisiún Pleanála for works to:
1. Millers Lane (located on the L-5000 Road and Millers Lane) in the townland of Rahoon, Galway City; and
2. The proposed Kingston Park (located on the local road known as the Altan Road, accessed from the Western Distributor Road) in the townlands of Clybaun and Rahoon, Galway City.
The proposed development consists of:
The refurbishment and expansion of the existing park (site area 2.44Ha) located on Millers Lane, including:
I. Relocation and replacement of the 2 no. existing football pitches with: 1 no. new 4G synthetic turf multi-sport pitch (designed to soccer pitch dimensions) with associated fencing and 6 no. floodlights; and 1 no. new 2G sand-filled synthetic multi-sport pitch (designed to hockey pitch dimensions) with associated fencing and 6 no. floodlights.
II. New two-storey, multi-functional building which includes public and sports team changing rooms, showers and toilets; multi-purpose sports hall; multi-purpose activity rooms; kitchenette; 2 no. viewing terraces; first-aid room; store rooms; plant rooms; reception area; and roof-mounted solar panels.
III. New public spaces and amenities including fenced children’s play areas; internal paths; multi-use games area; climbing wall; calisthenics area; public plaza; pitch spectator areas; equipment storage shed; green space for passive recreation; public lighting; and public seating.
IV. Extensive landscape planting (including native genus and species) and nature-based drainage measures including pollinator-friendly raingarden/ bioretention areas and reinforced grass paving, as well as planting areas with typologies including native and naturalised wooded areas, avenue tree planting, clipped hedges, short-flowering meadow, and pollinator-friendly perennials.
V. Relocated vehicular access on the L-5000 Road; 2 no. new active travel accesses from the L-5000 Road; and enhanced pedestrian / cyclist access from Millers Lane.
VI. 27 no. car parking spaces (2 no. standard EV charging spaces, 1 no. accessible space, 1 no. combined EV and accessible space, 1 no. family space, and 1 no. age-friendly space), 2 no. coach drop-off spaces with automated access control, 3 no. motorcycle spaces, and 64 no. cycle spaces (40 no. standard short-term spaces, 2 no. short term cargo-bike spaces, and a secure bike shed with 20 no. standard and 2 no. cargo-bike spaces).
The development of the northern half of the proposed Kingston Park (site area 3.43Ha), including:
I. The development of 1 no. 4G synthetic turf multi-sport pitch (designed to rugby pitch dimensions) with associated fencing and 6 no. floodlights.
II. New two-storey, multi-functional building which includes public and sports team changing rooms, toilets, and showers (standard and accessible); double-height general purpose community hall including retractable bleacher seating; multi-purpose activity rooms (including 3 no. rooms offering direct views onto the playing pitch); commentary booth; café and servery; sensory room; first-aid room; store room; plant room; reception area; and roof-mounted solar panels.
III. New public spaces and amenities including all-ages play area, outdoor classroom / amphitheatre; internal paths; multi-functional gaming area; informal games lawn; boules pitch; calisthenics area; performance space; pedestrian gateway plaza; parks department staff kiosk; refuse store; sports equipment sheds; public lighting; and public seating.
IV. Extensive landscape planting (including native genus and species) and nature-based drainage measures including pollinator-friendly raingarden/ bioretention areas; reinforced grass paving; native hedgerows; short- and long-flowering meadows; wildflower gardens; native and naturalised wooded areas; and pollinator-friendly perennials and shrubs.
V. Replacement of the existing vehicular site access / junction on the Altan Road, and modification of the new access road approved under permitted Aquatic Centre Development (Pln. Ref. 24/60370) to account for the layout of this proposed development.
VI. Improvement of existing active travel entrance from Doire Gheal, improved links to the St. John the Apostle, Knocknacarra National School (via a Safe Routes to School), new active travel accesses from the Altan Road, and provision for 2 no. potential future accesses to lands to the east (northeast of Kingston Gardens).
VII. 50 no. car parking spaces (including 4 no. standard EV charging spaces, 3 no. accessible spaces, 1 no. combined EV and accessible space, and 1 no. age-friendly space), 1 no. coach parking space, 1 no. set-down area, 82 no. bicycle spaces (60 no. standard short-term spaces, and a secure bike shed with 20 no. standard and 2 no. cargo-bike spaces) and 2 no. motorcycle spaces.
All other associated and ancillary works.
A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) has been prepared in respect of this Proposed Development.
Plans and particulars of the proposed development, including the Natura Impact Statement (NIS), can be viewed and will be available for inspection or for purchase for a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, for a period of not less than 6 weeks from Monday, 17th November 2025 until Monday, 12th January 2026 (inclusive)(extended to account for the holiday period), at the following locations:
• The offices of An Coimisiún Pleanála, 64 Marlborough Street, Dublin 1, D01 V902 between the hours of 9:15am and 5:30pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays);
• The offices of Galway City Council, City Hall, College Road, Galway, H91 X4K8 during its public opening hours; and;
• An electronic copy of the plans and particulars and the NIS may also be viewed and downloaded from the following website from Monday, 17th November 2025 until Monday, 12th January 2026 (inclusive): https://KingstonParkMillersLane.com
Submissions or observations may be made only to An Coimisiún Pleanála ("The Commission") of 64 Marlborough Street, Dublin 1, D01 V902 not later than 5:30pm on Monday, 12th January 2026 relating to the following:
I. The implications of the proposed development for proper planning and sustainable development in the area concerned;
II. The likely effects on the environment of the proposed development; and
III. The likely significant effects of the proposed development on a European site.
The Commission may, in respect of a Section 177AE application for development, decide to:
I. Give approval to the application for development with or without conditions, or
II. May refuse the application for development.
Any person may question the validity of any such decision by way of an application for judicial review, under Order 84 of the Rules of the Superior Courts (S.I. no. 15 of 1986, as amended by S.I No. 691 of 2011), in accordance with section 50 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). Practical information on the review mechanism can be accessed under the heading 'information on cases/ weekly lists — Judicial Review of Planning Decisions' on the Commission’s website (www.Pleanala.ie) or on the Citizens Information Service website (www.CitizensInformation.ie).
The deadline for receipt of submissions or observations to An Coimisiún Pleanála is Monday, 12th January 2026 at 5:30 PM.
