Planning refusal for 22 homes outside Dundalk upheld
An Coimisiún Pleanála refuses planning permission for 22 homes at Marlbog Road in north Louth
An Bord Coimisiún (formerly An Bord Pleanála) has refused planning permission for 22 new homes at the Marlbog Road in Dundalk, following an appeal against Louth County Council's decision to refuse planning permission for the development last year.
Hollywood Developments Ltd was refused planning permission on 24 October for the development at Marlbog Road, Haynestown, Dundalk. The developer had sought the go ahead to construct, two detached, two-storey, four bed dwellings, along with 20 semi-detached two-storey dwellings. The 20 semi-detached dwellings comprised 11 three-bed dwellings and nine four-bed dwellings.
The applicant was also sought the go ahead for associated car parking at surface level, the creation of a new access point from Marlbog Road to facilitate vehicular and pedestrian access, and the provision of internal access roads and footpaths and associated works.
In its decision to refuse planning permission, Louth County Council said that: “the proposed development fails to provide a safe and complete pedestrian connection to the existing public footpath network along Marlbog Road.
“The applicant has proposed that Louth County Council deliver the remaining section of footpath required to connect the development to the existing network; however, the lands necessary for this infrastructure are not in the ownership of the Council, and the Council currently has no plans to carry out such works. In the absence of connectivity to the existing public footpath network, the proposed development would give rise to pedestrian safety concerns.”
Hollywood Developments Ltd lodged an appeal against the decision with An Comisiún Pleanála following the decision. An Comisiún Pleanála refused planning permission on 20 April.
In its decision to refuse planning permission, An Comisiún Pleanála said that, "Objective HOU 23 of the County Development Plan 2021-2027 (as varied) requires residential development to facilitate walking, cycling and public transport and to include provision for links and connections to the wider neighbourhood.
"In addition, Objective MOV 27 of the Development Plan supports permeability and connectivity throughout the Plan area that will improve connections between existing and new neighbourhoods, to include active travel connections between developed and undeveloped lands. Furthermore, the Sustainable and Compact Settlement Guidelines for Planning Authorities promotes 'sustainable and efficient movement’ as a key indicator of good design and placemaking to ensure that places are well connected and accessible by sustainable modes.
"Due to the absence of any proposed pedestrian connectivity between the subject site and the existing built-up area of Dundalk, it is considered that the proposed development would not accord with the principles of good design, would be contrary to objectives HOU 23 and MOV 27 of the Louth County Development Plan2021-2027 (as varied), would be likely to result in conflicts between pedestrian and vehicular traffic, with resultant concerns for the safety of vulnerable road users, and would therefore be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area."