Stop the unauthorised development in Westside.

Westside is more than a neighbourhood in Galway city - Ireland.

It’s a working class community built on decades of dedication, pride, and hard-won progress. At the heart of it all is our local shopping centre, for which building's people fought in the early 80's, a space that has served as a vital hub for generations. It’s our "Meitheal", where we meet and connect.

Now, all of that is under threat.

A major development consisting of a 7 storey building has begun in the heart of our community, in the middle of Westside Shopping Centre — without fulfilling the legal pre-commencement conditions required by An Bord Pleanála. This makes it an unauthorised development, and we believe it must be stopped before the damage becomes irreversible.

We have already reported this to the City Council's Planning Enforcement Office, but we can’t afford to wait in silence.

What We’re Fighting For

We are not against student accommodation. In fact, we welcome students and visitors who choose to live among us — they are part of our community. But our local amenities should not be sacrificed when there are more appropriate sites available, especially on University-owned land.

This development would diminish our cherished shopping centre, tearing away the core of Westside life. The conditions not met by the developers could have massive environmental impact on Wastewater system in the city but also pose a threat to the safety of helicopter crews landing in the nearby Hospital.

What Your Donation Will Help Us Do

We are raising funds to:

Pay for the trivial costs of meeting rooms and printing material, which add up quickly

Cover the cost of hiring an expert Environmental Engineer

Pay legal and court costs for expert representation

Why This Matters

This fight is about transparency, respect of the laws of the country and the right of communities to have a say in what happens to their neighborhoods. It’s about protecting what we’ve built together — for ourselves, for future generations, and for the inclusive, welcoming Westside we all love.

✊ Stand With Us

This is our chance to be heard. We’re asking for your help — whether through a donation, a share, or by spreading the word — to make sure Westside’s future isn’t decided without us.

Every contribution counts. Every voice matters.

Let’s take a stand. Together.