Decision today on two large scale housing developments for Tullamore
A decision is due today Tuesday October 3 on planning applications for two large scale housing schemes in Tullamore.
John Flanagan Developments is seeking to construct 148 dwellings consisting of 90 houses 20 apartments and 38 age friendly assisted living units, a crèche and all ancillary works, including public and private open space areas, car parking, bicycle parking and bin and bicycle stores at the Wellwood Housing site at Tyrell's Road, Ardan/Puttaghan, Tullamore.
The second large development due for decision today is at Collins Lane,Tullamore. This plan consists of 126 residential units comprising 102 houses and 24 apartments. The development also includes a single-story, childcare facility/crèche containing pre-school and after-school facilities with associated, on-site parking, bicycle shelter, bins/recycling stores and amenity/play areas.
Vehicular access is proposed to be provided off the existing roundabouts on the north-south link road between Collins Lane (R443) and the Educate Together School. A new vehicular entrance serving the development is also proposed off the R443, Collin’s Lane. An internal link road is proposed to The Hawthorns housing estate to the north of the site. The application is in the name of Collins Lane Housing Development Ltd.
Both proposals attracted a number of submissions from members of the public.
In relation to the plans for Collins Lane, some submissions were concerned that the apartments facing onto Collins Lane contain balconies, ''which appear in some drawings'' as fronting onto Collins Lane.
Another ''serious concern'' one person has is with the proposal to provide direct vehicular road access from the proposed development onto Collins Lane. The submission said, ''such a proposal would be detrimental to road safety and effective traffic management. ''
Another said ''the proposed construction of two apartment blocks incorporating 16 units facing onto Collins Lane will be totally out of character with the detached row of 13 bungalows constructed on the opposite side of Collins Lane.'' It went on to describe how two of the apartments would directly overlook their family home, resulting in a loss of privacy.
In relation to the proposal by Flanagan development at Tyrells Road/Puttaghan, residents living along Davitt Street in Tullamore said they were objecting on the grounds that the development had the potential to add 243 or more cars to the traffic network of the Callary street/Davitt Street area. The residents said, ''this area is already heavily urbanised with a high level of car ownership and on street parking. The proposed development creates an unfavourable scenario of increased vehicular traffic for existing residents along a route which is already narrow and unsuited to additional traffic loading.''
The Arden Vale Residents Association said they are concerned that a proposed 'Temporary Entrance' to the pumping station will in time become a permanent thoroughfare accessing the Wellwood development. ''We fail to understand why this Temporary Entrance has to be wide enough to allow access for large vehicles. It is our opinion that a small pedestrian access would be sufficient,'' they said.
The result will be made known to the public in 3 days time a spokesperson at Offaly County Council said.