Galway County Council has granted planning permission for what will become one of the largest motorway service station developments in the west of Ireland, giving the green light to a major new Applegreen facility on the Galway side of Ballinasloe.
The decision, issued by the local authority on June 30, paves the way for a significant development on lands at Mackney, immediately north-east of Junction 15 on the M6 motorway, east of the Garbally Roundabout.
The project represents a major investment in transport infrastructure and electric vehicle charging, with the centrepiece being a 36-bay electric vehicle charging hub, making it one of the largest charging facilities of its kind in the region. In addition, four dedicated electric heavy goods vehicle charging spaces will also be provided.
The development extends far beyond a traditional filling station. Plans include a new single-storey service station building measuring more than 1,000 square metres, incorporating a convenience retail outlet, two food offerings, seating areas, coffee dock, customer facilities and a drive-thru service for one of the food operators. Outdoor seating, a children’s play area and picnic facilities also form part of the proposal.
Motorists will continue to have access to conventional fuels through a new forecourt with fuel pumps beneath a canopy, while dedicated HGV fuelling facilities are also included.
The wider scheme provides for 83 car parking spaces, including accessible, family and staff parking, 13 HGV and bus spaces, 16 bicycle parking spaces and five motorcycle spaces. A brush and jet wash, separate car wash building, extensive landscaping, sustainable drainage systems, roof-mounted solar panels and a new active travel route along the northern boundary of the site are also included.
As part of the overall proposal, works will also be carried out at the existing Applegreen service station on the opposite side of the R446. The fuel pumps, canopy, underground fuel tanks and associated infrastructure at the existing station will be removed, while the existing retail building will remain. The current car wash facility will also be discontinued.
A Natura Impact Statement accompanied the planning application, and following its assessment Galway County Council concluded that the development complies with the Galway County Development Plan 2022-2028 and represents proper planning and sustainable development.
The council attached 15 conditions to the permission before formally granting approval.
The decision represents another significant commercial development for Ballinasloe, which continues to attract investment due to its strategic location on the M6 corridor linking Galway and Dublin.
Meanwhile, a separate high-profile planning application involving a proposed McDonald’s restaurant remains under consideration by Galway County Council.
That application, lodged by Limehill Esker Ltd, seeks permission for a mixed-use development on lands beside the Dunlo Hill Shopping Centre, approximately 300 metres from Ballinasloe town centre.
The proposal includes a McDonald’s drive-thru restaurant, two two-storey office buildings, new vehicular access from Harbour Road, 152 car parking spaces, 62 bicycle spaces, landscaping and associated infrastructure. A derelict dwelling on the site would also be demolished as part of the development.
Unlike the Applegreen proposal, no decision has yet been made on the McDonald’s application, with the planning process still ongoing and submissions from members of the public continuing to be accepted as part of the statutory process.
The proposed restaurant has generated considerable local discussion since details emerged earlier this year. Supporters argue it would create employment and increase consumer choice, while others question whether another international fast-food outlet is needed given the existing food offering in Ballinasloe, including nearby Supermac’s restaurants.
Although the two developments are unrelated planning applications, together they illustrate the scale of commercial investment currently being proposed for Ballinasloe. While the Applegreen development has now cleared its principal planning hurdle, attention is likely to turn to the forthcoming decision on the McDonald’s proposal, which is expected in the coming weeks.
