An Bord Pleanála give go ahead for Blackrock housing development

An Bord Pleanála has granted planning permission with revised conditions for a new housing development in Blackrock, following an appeal lodged against the earlier decision by Louth County Council to give the development the go ahead.

BWH Investments Limited had been granted conditional planning permission in October 2021 for a development at The Loakers, Blackrock Road and Bothar Maol, Blackrock, Co Louth, that would see 29 new homes built.

The planned development consisted of two, three storey blocks of apartments, comprising nine, two bedroom apartments and three, three bed apartments in each block; four semi-detached two storey, three bedroom houses and one detached two storey, three bedroom dwelling house.

The decision to grant planning permission was appealed to An Bord Pleanála in October 2021 by three parties - Imelda O'Loan and others; Siona Mc Court Cooney and Eamonn Cooney; and Bothar Maol Residents Association. 

Among the reasons for appealing the decision by the three separate parties, Bothar Maol Residents Association said that Bothar Maol is a private right of way, and that a proposed pedestrian pedestrian access would mean it would become directly accessible from the 29 proposed dwellings, as well as allowing access from the larger The Loakers development to Bothar Maol.

Other reasons for appealing the decision included the density of the proposed development; proposed flood relief measures; and variety dwelling and local needs.

An Bord Pleanála made the decision to grant planning permission for the development on 27 April, subject however to 19 conditions.