City councillors are set to discuss a motion next week calling for a masterplan to be drawn up for 11 acres which the local authority owns at Sandy Road.

If approved, it will set in motion a chain of events which could lead to the transformation of the site into a mixed-use development of retail, commercial and residential units.

The site, which currently houses a Council yard as well as a number of industrial units, straddles the Sandy Road between the Gort na Glaise estate and the Galway Bay FM studios, as well as being accessible from the Liosbán Estate.

Councillor Padraig Conneely, who has table the motion for next Monday’s meeting, said there was no doubt in his mind that this ‘prime city centre site’ would attract many expressions of interest as a modern mixed development.

He said the redevelopment of this site would be a major asset to the city as well as being a considerable boost for the coffers of the City Council, at a time when many worthwhile projects were crying out for funds.

“This is a golden opportunity for a showcase development, right in the heart of the city,” said Cllr. Conneely.