One of Galway’s biggest employers, med-tech giant Boston Scientific, is planning to expand into an adjacent premises which it has acquired.
The company has sought planning permission for works at the former APC building, which will involve the change of use of just over 2,000 square metres of industrial space to office use and the construction of an internal courtyard.
A masterplan is currently being prepared with options for the expansion of the company in Galway.
Part of this will involve relocating some activities and staff from the original building into APC, as the original building is beyond capacity.
“The proposed development is part of the process of decanting some activities and staff to ease pressure on Building 1. Boston Scientific have recently produced a Global Design Guidance document for their facilities worldwide.
“Part of the guidance is that office areas have a density of 11-13 square metres per person. Building 1 has an average density of six square metres per person. The provision of this additional office space to [APC] will allow some staff that are not directly related to production to move and reduce the density in Building 1. There will be no increase in staff numbers associated with this development so no requirement for additional parking spaces.
“The area to the south-west corner of the building is currently a data centre and had no windows in the façade. The proposed window system has been designed as a contemporary addition to the façade, which makes reference to the existing metal clad fin feature at the main entrance.
“The insertion of a courtyard within the building in this area will bring natural light deeper into the proposed office area,” the application reads.
The company, which employed more than 3,000 people in Galway, separately received planning permission to create an additional 200 spaces on the APC site, as a lease on another adjacent expired around the same time.
A decision on the APC move is expected from the City Council at the end of November.
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