An Bord Pleanála to rule on 194 home development refusal in north Louth

Louth County Council's decision to refuse planning permission for a new Large-scale Residential Development (LRD) of 194 apartments at Hill Street in Dundalk has been appealed to An Bord Pleanála.

Zirbac DLK Ltd (Part of the Cabriz Group), applied for planning permission in January for an LRD of 194 apartments, comprising 32 one-bed, 133 two-bed and 29 three-bed units in eight distinctive blocks (A to H), ranging in height from part one storey to five storeys in height across the site. Proposed site works for the development had included the raising of the site in parts and the diversion of existing piped infrastructure.

The proposed development also provided for a childcare facility within Block A, which would have its own outdoor play space and set down area as well as staff car parking and bicycle parking.

In order to preserve the integrity of the existing pedestrian/cycle track from the Dublin Road to the Avenue Road and the open section of the River Blackwater that run north-south broadly through the centre of the site, two separate vehicular accesses were proposed to serve the development from the Dublin Road/Hill Street. A pedestrian/cycle only link would also be provided across the Blackwater River.

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The first vehicular access to the development would have been a new access onto Dublin Road / Hill Street and would serve 75 dwellings. The second vehicular access would have been the existing access road onto Dublin Road at Mourne View Hall which would provide access to 119. apartments. A new bus stop would also have been provided fronting onto Dublin Road along with cycle stands for the proposed Dundalk Bike Scheme. 

Louth County Council made the decision to refuse planning permission on 10 March. Included in its decision the local planning authority said that the "proposed development is located in an area of land that is identified as a flood risk, emanating from the Black Water River along the northern site boundaries. There is also an open drainage ditch that runs along most of the western boundary".

"In accordance with the "The Guidelines for Planning Authorities - The Planning System and Flood Risk Management", November 2009 and Policies IU 26-28 and IU 33 of the Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027, as varied, seeks that "New development should be avoided in areas at risk of flooding". There is a significant flood risk to surrounding areas due to the

displacement of existing flood storage capacity on the site.

"The proposed development would increase ground levels in a site which is currently susceptible to flooding. The submitted proposals would, therefore, represent an unacceptable hazard to existing properties in the vicinity of the site, future occupants of the development and emergency services personnel during a Flood Event and be contrary to the Policies IU 26-28 and I U 33 of the Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027, as varied and contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area."

Zirbac DLK Ltd lodged an appeal with An Bord Pleanála against Louth County Council's decision on 4 April. An Bord Pleanála has not yet indicated when the case will be heard.