Planning refused for 45 new homes in Ardee

Louth County Council has refused planning permission for 45 new homes in Ardee.

MRM Structural Limited applied for planning permission in August for a development at The Blackridge, Townparks, Ardee, comprising 20 two storey and three, three storey dwellings. The proposed dwellings consisted of 20 three-bed units and three four-bed units, as well as 22 apartments units consisting of 11 one-bed units and 11 two-bed units across three buildings.

A proposed Block A comprised four one-bed and four two-bed units over two storeys. Block B comprised three one-bed and three two-bed units over two storeys, while Block C comprised four one-bed and four two-bed units over two storeys.

MRM Structural Limited also sought the go ahead for the creation of a new vehicular and pedestrian access from The Black Ridge road, with associated upgrade works to sections of the existing adjoining access (Black Ridge) road, including the provision of a new footpath.

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

It also provided for items including provision of internal access roads and footpaths and associated works; and residential communal and public open space areas to include a formal play area along with all hard and soft landscape works with public lighting, planting and boundary treatments to include boundary walls, railings & fencing. 

Louth County Council made the decision to refuse planning permission for the development on 20 October for four reasons. Included in its decision, the local authority said that the proposed development would endanger public safety by reason of traffic hazard, saying that it was located in an area served by public roads that are substandard in terms of width, junction alignment, and visibility. 

It added that the existing road network is "significantly below the minimum standards required to safely accommodate the traffic generated by a development of this scale", and that "there is insufficient scope to upgrade the road infrastructure to include active travel measures, such as cycle lanes, buffers and footpaths", and that "the development would result in a traffic hazard for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles, and is considered premature pending substantial road improvements."

It also said that "having regard to the overall layout of housing", "the proposed density of 47 dph, which is considered excessive for this location and inconsistent with the prevailing pattern of development", and the "quality and surveillance of the proposed public open space", "it is considered that the proposed development would result in a substandard form of development that would detract from the residential amenities for future occupants and the surrounding area".