Louth County Council's approval for 502 homes in Blackrock overturned

The decision by Louth County Council to grant planning permission for a Large-scale Residential Development (LRD) of 502 homes at Haggardstown and Marshes Upper, which include works on the Blackrock Road (R172) and Hardy’s Lane, Dundalk, has been overturned by An Bord Coimisiún (formerly An Bord Pleanála), following an appeal by Blackrock Tidy Towns.

Marina Quarter Ltd, a subsidiary of Glenveagh Homes Ltd, was granted planning permission last December for the LRD at Haggardstown and Marshes Upper, on a site of c.18.54 ha.

The proposed housing comprised 40 one-bed maisonettes; 147 two-bed, mid-terrace, two-storey houses; 276 three-bed, end of terrace and semi-detached, two-storey houses; a three-bed detached bungalow; and 38 four-bed semi-detached, three-storey houses.

Marina Quarter Ltd also sought the go ahead for a two storey creche facility with outdoor secure play area and parking, as well as new access off the Blackrock Road providing for vehicular, pedestrian and cycle access, and incorporating a new bus stop on the Blackrock Road; as well as two pedestrian and cycle only access points provided from Bóthar Maol. 

Infrastructure and services for the proposed development included surface water infrastructure, water mains and a new wastewater pump station (with temporary storage and associated dosing measures), which would be pumped via a new rising main along the Blackrock Road (R172) and Hardy’s Lane to Finnabair Crescent, where it would discharge to the existing wastewater drainage network.

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The application also provided for associated public and private open space, landscaping and amenity areas including a large central park of c.2.7ha, public art, boundary treatments, public lighting, roads, cycleways, footpaths, car and cycle parking, infrastructure and services and all associated site and development works. 

To facilitate the proposed development, Marina Quarter Ltd also sought the go ahead for the excavation, cut and fill, and reprofiling of existing ground levels, and removal of works completed under a previously permitted Strategic Housing Development, including the foundations for five houses is required.

The ruins of a former pumphouse would also be removed / demolished as part of the works and existing overhead electrical lines will be undergrounded.

A third party appeal against the decision was made by John Horan O/B Blackrock Tidy Towns, and Aoife and John Henry, on 18 December 2025. An Bord Coimisiún made the decision to refuse planning permission on 13 April 2026.