Green light given for controversial housing development in Laois
The proposed development has received numerous objections since it first sought planning permission last year
Laois County Council has granted planning permission on a conditional basis for the construction of a new residential development in Abbeyleix.
Jacqueline Duncan originally submitted the application in March of last year which proposed the development of 51 homes on a 1.99 hectare site known as The Rookery in Tullyroe on the Ballacolla Road. The application has proved contentious among locals, with numerous objections lodged against it.
The types of homes listed in the plans are mixed in order to serve the differing needs of the population. The 51 homes comprise of four one-bedroom maisonettes over two storeys and 14 two-bedroom houses. There are also 25 three-bedroom houses and eight four-bedroom houses.
According to the Planning Report, the smaller one and two-bedroom units are designed with young couples in mind for "starter homes" and older couples looking to downsize. Additionally, the four one-bedroom units may be suited to single people or couples "who are not adequately catered for within the current housing construction trends."
The planning application included all other ancillary works including an ESB substation, car and bicycle parking, foul and surface water drainage including a pumping station, boundary walls, revised vehicle access and more.
There have been numerous objections to the new development on the site which is currently used as a pasture field in Abbeyleix. Among the concerns cited by locals are traffic issues, the overdevelopment of the area and the new development not keeping with the character of the area.
The issue of traffic has been continuously noted by many of those who have objected to the development. As it stands, the Ballacolla Road experiences a high volume of traffic and noise pollution because of it. Locals have claimed that this new housing development would exasperate this problem even further.
Others fear that the extent of the development might also overburden the local area. Some have argued that the town is not equipped to serve such a growth in its population and the construction of a development of this size would have a seriously negative impact on those living in the area. Although some people acknowledged the need for more housing, the size of the development is what concerns them.
Although Laois County Council has granted planning permission on a conditional basis, there has been quite a list of 20 conditions set forth before any work can get underway. Among the conditions are orders to relocate the pumping station as listed in the application, review private open space sizes, review lighting and EV charger plans and how to manage the existing stone wall at the front of the site at the Ballacolla Road.
Safety requirements such as creating footpaths to cater for pedestrians have also been included in the list of conditions.