Galway auctioneer Liam Mulryan has submitted plans to Galway City Council for a €50 million (£34 million) retail development on the eastern outskirts of the city.

The 6 acre (2.45ha) site is at Briarhill, between Galway city and Oranmore, and Mulryan’s plan is for a 160,000 sq ft (15,000 sq m) three-storey scheme.

The development’s anchor retail tenant will take 37,675 sq ft (3,500 sq m). Mulryan said three supermarket groups have expressed strong interest, but no deal has yet been signed.

The development will also include 22 retail units, apartments, offices and more than 500 car parking spaces.

Planning consent already exists for the redevelopment of the site, but Mulryan is looking to increase the retail content of the scheme.

He said that if permission is granted early next year, the centre could open for business in 2007.