New plan for seven small social homes behind Laois protected structure
New housing proposal for Mountmellick site previously rejected by planners
A new planning application has been lodged to Laois County Council to build a row of seven terraced one bedroom homes in Mountmellick.
The single storey houses are proposed to be built in the large 0.1 hectare walled back garden of 5 Parnell Street, a protected structure on the main street of Mountmellick.
Applicant Springhill Properties Ltd intends to offer the apartment complex for sale to the council once completed or failing that two of the apartments to fulfil its Part V social housing obligations.
This application states that says that sufficient parking would be available on the street outside which is a paid parking zone.
There is an archeological report with the application. It states that test excavations found "no finds, features, or deposits of archaeological significance. There was no indication to suggest any potential grave cuts or other potential features associated with the adjacent graveyard," it says, in referral to the graveyard of St Peter's Church of Ireland.
The application says that the units would comply with regulations on apartment sizes, being above 45m2 each.
The homes would face onto a communal green area and have small private rear yards, with retention of the site's stone walls.
A different and larger planning application in 2022 for nine apartments raised objections by neighbours including the Druid Pub, St Paul's Church of Ireland, and St Paul's National School.
The church had raised concern that the apartments would overlook the graveyard, with noise and possible damage to the boundary wall. The school's concerns focused on child safety protection, overlooking, noise, density and a "risk of anti-social behaviour". Neigbours had expressed doubt at vehicles being able to drive through the narrow gate and that they would instead park on the street, adding to traffic congestion.
It was rejected by planners.
The latest application has been sent back as invalid because the council say details of units or lands or indicitave costs for the Part V process are not included. The applicant is free to send in a new application with those details.