Anger in Tullamore at 'shock' decision to allow house to be demolished

RESIDENTS of the Clara Road in Tullamore are objecting to the planned demolition of a house by a developer which would open another entrance to the new Redwood estate.

Earlier this year Offaly County Council gave the go-ahead to Vita Stilo Ltd, trading as Capital Homes, permission to knock a detached dormer house on the Clara Road.

The development company said the demolition of the dwelling will facilitate access for construction traffic to the Redwood site.

There is also a second entrance within metres of that one which is currently being used by construction traffic for a further phase of Redwood.

The Clara Road residents described the decision of the council planners to give the green light for a third entrance as a “shock” and have lodged an appeal with An Bord Pleanala.

A spokesperson for the residents said they feel so strongly that they are calling on the planning appeals board to host an oral hearing to review the decision “in a fair and transparent manner”.

In January 2019, members of the residents' association attended an information evening in the Bridge House organised by Capital Homes and they say that at that meeting the development company said they were using the existing Kearney’s Field entrance as the only access point for the entire Redwood development.

“The Clara Road Residents Association welcomed the original Redwood development to the area as it will bring much needed housing to our town. The residents’ key concerns include serious safety issues relating to the planning permission for a major demolition and construction entrance junction and adding another new road junction - this will mean that there will now be 15 road junctions entering/exiting onto Tullamore’s already extremely busy Clara Road,” said the residents' spokesperson.

“Clara Road residents were alarmed at the speed at which Offaly County Council granted permission without requesting any further information, not withstanding the very high number of observations, objections and submissions lodged by local residents and Offaly County Councillors.”

The residents say meetings held on the matter were well attended and in all, 21 submissions and observations were made to the County Council, including submissions from four Tullamore Municipal District councillors.

Observations on behalf of the residents' association were signed by 75 residents.

Following the grant of permission on August 22, the residents held a meeting on August 29 and the spokesperson said “a unanimous decision” was made to lodge an appeal and request an oral hearing.

Appeals have also been submitted to An Bord Pleanala by four Clara Road residents “at their own expense” living in the vicinity of the proposed development, the spokesperson added.

In a letter to An Bord Pleanala in September, one resident said they strongly objected to the “dismissive way” observations and concerns were “totally ignored”.

The resident said “numerous” other access roads could be used, with potentially up to three exits at Knockowen Road, and one each at Arden Heights and the new Oaklee housing.

The planning department is accused of being “biased” towards the residents of Redwood and describes the Clara Road as a “long established residential community since the late 1950s/early 1960s”.

“The amenity and character of the road are not protected nor enhanced by this development. With this decision the proposed development reduces the quality of the existing residential area... Are the residents and users of Clara Road of lesser importance?” the resident asked.

In a letter to An Bord Pleanala on September 14 last, the residents' association said there are already 14 junctions and one pedestrian crossing on a road 1.4km long between Collins Lane and the Grand Canal bridge.

“The construction of the proposed junction raises serious safety concerns, given the volume of traffic and size of construction vehicles for vulnerable residents, pedestrians, cyclists, wheelchair users and will result in a considerable threat to the amenity of all residents of the Clara Road,” the letter said.

Prior to the demolition application being granted, the residents told the council that there are two “established junctions” at Moylena and Maple Grove, both within 150 metres.

They also referred to another junction on the road for the Carraig Cluain development, saying it was set back and tapered to achieve adequate sight lines.

A report from a planner with the council said that if the new entrance was not granted the developer would have to use the existing internal roads in Redwood for construction vehicles and that posed “a considerable threat to the amenity” of Redwood residents because the roads are not suitable.

The planner said they did not consider a “temporary” construction access would be contrary to the county development plan and after five years the entrance should be filled in and a block wall built there.

An Bord Pleanala is due to give its decision by January 24 next.