Council reveals reasons for refusing planning for 44 homes in Dundalk

Louth County Council has refused planning permission for 44 new homes in Dundalk, saying in its decision that if the development were permitted it, "would set an undesirable precedent for future inappropriate development in the area", as it "would militate against the creation of an attractive high quality residential development and would result in a substandard form of development that would detract from the residential amenities of future occupants and the surrounding area".

Hollywood Developments Ltd applied for planning permission in April 2025, for the development at the Doylesfort Road and adjoining The Lios Dubh Housing Estate in Dundalk. 

The proposed development comprises 23 houses and 21 apartments/duplex units. The houses comprise 15 three-bed units and eight four-bed units. The 21 apartments/duplex units comprise three one-bed units and 18 two-bed units across two buildings. Block A comprises 15 two-bed units over four storeys and block B comprises three one-bed units and three two-bed units over two storeys.

The developer also sought to create new access points from Doylesfort Road and the existing Lios Dubh housing estate, with associated upgrade works to sections of the existing adjoining access roads to facilitate vehicular, pedestrian and cycle access.

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The application also provided for items including the provision of associated car parking via a combination of in-curtilage parking for dwellings and via on-street parking for the duplexes and apartment units; the provision of electric vehicle charge points with associated site infrastructure ducting to provide charge points for residents throughout the site; and the provision of associated bicycle & bin storage facilities adjoining the apartment /duplex units.

A decision had been due on the planning application by June 2025 but Louth County Council sought further information on the proposed development that same month, with significant further information being submitted by the developer in December 2025.

Louth County Council made the decision to refuse planning permission on 9 February for two reasons. Along with the reason outlined above, the local planning authority also said that "the proposed development is to be accessed off the Doylesfort Road, which is a local secondary road narrow in width that serves a large hinterland that includes residential, commercial, and agricultural traffic.

"There is currently no pedestrian link between the entrance to the application site and the R125, which is c.360 metres to the south.

"In the absence of appropriate proposals to upgrade the Doylesfort Road to cater for the additional pedestrian footfall utilising the Doylesfort Road as a result of the development it is considered that the proposal would result in the creation of a traffic hazard and pedestrian safety, would adversely impact on the safe and efficient operation of the local road network and would, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area."