House to be demolished to make way for a construction entrance in Offaly
AN Bord Pleanala has upheld a decision by Offaly County Council to grant permission for the demolition of a house on the Clara Road in Tullamore. This is to allow for the creation of a construction entrance and access route to a new residential development which is currently under construction.
The application by Vita Stilo Ltd T/A Capital for the proposed entrance, had been appealed by the Clara Road Residents Association and a number of other individuals.
The local planning authority granted permission for the demolition in 2022, on condition that at the end of a 5 year period the company would remove the construction access and build a two metre high concrete block wall which would be plastered and capped.
The council also directed that no construction vehicles are to be allowed to park on the public road during the building works.
The new housing estate which will be called Redwood has two accesses onto the Clara Road, one is for building related traffic and the other is for residential access to the housing estate. Many dwellings in Redwood have already been occupied.
The grounds for appeal by the Clara road residents and others, contends that the proposed construction site is in a place which is difficult to see.
The appelents also express concern about a potential increase in traffic while building is taking place, along with an increase in dust and dirt.
One appellant said they work late and sleep during the early part of the day and they were worried about noise levels.
The residents also maintain that the construction site will be very dangerous for children using the road and footpaths.
In addition they claim the application was made on June 29, 2022, but the site notice was not erected until July 1, 2022.
An Bord Pleanala said it decided to grant permission according to its Inspector's recommendation. The Board said it is considered that subject to compliance conditions laid down by the council that the proposed creation of a construction access along with what it described as ''a speed controlled section of a regional road within the town of Tullamore'' would not unduly impact on the pedestrians or other users of the public road, would not seriously injure the amenities of residents in the vicinity and would be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.