Decision on 205 new homes in Dundalk appealed to An Bord Pleanála

The decision to grant planning permission for a Large-scale Residential Development (LRD) at Lisdoo in Dundalk that would see 205 new homes constructed, has been appealed to An Bord Pleanála.

Louth County Council granted planning permission last month to FJ Developments Ltd for the development on lands at Lisdoo Townland in Dundalk, which comprises a mix of houses and apartments, along with a creche. Ahead of construction of the housing, the applicant was proposing site excavation works to facilitate the proposed development, which would include infilling and raising of existing ground levels via importing inert material.

The planned housing comprises 78 houses consisting of 66 three bed, semi-detached; eight four bed, semi-detached; and four four-bed detached houses. It also comprises 127 apartment/duplex units consisting of ten one-bed units; 113 two-bed units; and four three-bed units across six buildings which will range in height from two storeys to five storeys.

As well as a creche, the planning application also provides for car parking via a combination of in-curtilage parking for dwellings and via on-street parking for the creche, duplexes and apartment units, along with provision of electric vehicle charge points with associated site infrastructure ducting to provide charge points for residents throughout the site.

It also provides for items including the creation of a new access point for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists from Newry Road to incorporate junction upgrade works; provision of a pedestrian and cyclist access from Forkhill Road; and provision of internal access roads and footpaths and associated works.

A number of submissions objecting to the development had been lodged with the council. Reasons for objecting to the development included fears over potential flooding; pedestrian access; loss of natural lighting; traffic concerns; the removal of large mature trees to facilitate the development; and fears over loss of biodiversity.

Louth County Council granted conditional planning permission for the development on 1 August. Appeals against the decision were made by Arthur O Hare and others, and also by Colette and Frank Brady, which were lodged on 28 August.