Dundalk councillors critical of fast track planning legislation

New planning legislation which permits developers apply directly to An Bord Pleanála, instead of Louth County Council for planning permission for large developments, was criticised by councillors at the Dundalk Municipal District April meeting.

Concerns were voiced at the meeting that the new fast-track legislation may be used by some developers to re-apply for developments which had already been rejected by Louth County Council.

The criticisms at the meeting were focused on a strategic housing development(SHD) planning application that was submitted to An Bord Pleanála for 142 apartments at a site on the Inner Relief Road, adjacent to the Dublin Road in Dundalk.

Planning permission was already granted two years ago for research and development buildings at the site as well as a commercial unit. Student accommodation however, that was also included in that application was rejected.

Cllr Emma Coffey questioned at the meeting if the legislation was being used by some developers to get planning for projects that had initially been rejected, “in the back door”.

Considering the location of the site, which is close to Dundalk Institure of Technology, it was questioned at the meeting if the apartments would ultimately be aimed at students.

Cllr Anne Campbell said that she agreed with Cllr Coffey's concerns, and wondered if a person who was single would be able to afford one of these apartments.

Cllr Campbell also remarked that according to the website for the development, the intention would be to accommodate a social housing element of the development all in one block, and was something she disagreed with.

Cllr John McGahon asked why An Bord Pleanála was against the student accommodation in the original 2016 application.

In response to Cllr McGahon, the meeting heard that the 2016 decision recognised the commercial part of the application, student accommodation did not comply with the core ethos for the area.

The meeting also heard that people who were looking to invest in Dundalk, have said that there is not enough apartments for companies, etc in the area.

Councillors were not convinced of the suitability of the site for housing however, with Cllr Marianne Butler noting that the proposed road layout was worrying as it would be creating a crossroads at the Crowne Plaza/DkIT back entrance, a spot where traffic congestion at rush hour was already becoming an issue.

A decision is due on the current application by June 27, 2019.