Planning refused for 91 new houses just outside Dundalk

Louth County Council has refused planning permission for 91 new houses at Haynestown, Dundalk.

Groveview Builders Ltd applied for planning permission in October 2024 for a development on lands to the East of the Western Relief Road, South of the Marlbog Road & north of Wadman Park, Raynoldstown Village, Haynestown, Dundalk, seeking the go ahead for the construction of 91 houses.

The proposed development comprised: four, end of terrace, two storey, three-bedroom dwellings; 53, terraced, two storey, three-bedroom dwellings; 15, semi-detached, two storey, three-bedroom dwellings; two detached, two storey, three-bedroom dwellings; seven detached, two storey, four bedroom dwelling; and ten semi-detached, two-storey, four-bedroom dwellings.

The application also provided for all associated ancillary site development works, boundary treatments, landscaping, open spaces and ESB sub-station on lands of circa 3.18Ha.

Louth County Council made the decision to refuse planning permission on 7 October. In its decision, Louth County Council said that "the Planning Authority cannot be satisfied that the proposed development individually, or in combination with other plans or projects would not likely be to have a significant effect on Dundalk Bay SAC and Dundalk Bay SPA, or any other European Site, in view of the site's conservation objectives. In such circumstances the Planning Authority is precluded from granting permission."

It also said that the proposed development "is dependent upon a connection to the Uisce Éireann network to discharge wastewater into Blackrock Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). It has been confirmed by Uisce Éíreann in correspondence to the planning authority dated 18 September 2025, that Blackrock WWTP does not have the capacity to cater for the proposed development of 91 houses and that the necessary upgrade of the existing WWTP facility is scheduled to be completed by Q3/Q4 of 2031.

"While an application for a temporary Wastewater Treatment Plant to pre-treat effluent generated from the larger Groveview development is under construction by An Coimisiún Pleanála (PL15-323186) there is no decision on that appeal and in this context the application would be premature pending that decision from An Coimisiún Pleanála.

"In light of the foregoing, it is considered that the proposed development would be premature by reference to the existing deficiency in sewerage facilities and would, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area."