Plans approved for new apartments in Louth town despite objections

Plans for a new housing development in a County Louth town have been approved despite objections from a number of local residents.

The proposed demolition of three existing buildings to be replaced by 10 new apartments in Ardee has been approved by An Board Pleanála after it decided to uphold the original decision of Louth County Council, which was appealed.

The site of the proposed development is located close to the town centre near the junction of Markethouse Lane and Irish Street.

While the local authority granted permission for the proposed development in July 2022,  an appeal was subsequently lodged with An Board Pleanála.

Concerns over the lack of car parking and the pressure on existing on-street car parking were raised along with fears that haphazard parking could result in increased traffic congestion.

According to a report prepared by planning inspector Robert Speer, those opposed to the proposed development also claimed there would be a "detrimental impact on the residential amenity of neighbouring properties by reason of overlooking, overshadowing" and that there would be a loss of light, noise, and visual disturbance.

They also submitted that the "excessive scale and height of the proposed development is out of character with the surrounding area."

Recommending that permission be granted, Mr Speer stated he was of the view that the proposed development "would not seriously injure the residential or visual amenities of the area or of property in the vicinity."

He added that he was satisfied it "would not be detrimental to the integrity, character and setting of protected structures

in the vicinity, and would not adversely impact on the character of the Ardee Architectural Conservation Area."

The application was formally approved by An Board Pleanála earlier this month.

A total of 19 conditions have been imposed on the applicant.