Unacceptable for apartments to overlook school playground

There was unanimous opposition among Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District councillors to the proposed development of four one-bedroom apartments in Mohill overlooking a school playground belonging to The Hunt National School
Members voiced their strong concerns at a meeting last Monday with one councillor stating the apartments will “absolutely not be accepted the way they are.”
Cllr Finola Armstrong- McGuire, who raised the issue, said that people are saying “the height is too high and overlooking the school yard is not correct and not right and I would ask that their appeals are heard and listened to and that the matter is revisited sooner rather than later.”
Cathaoirleach, Cllr Enda Stenson supported the motion. He stressed that the plans will have to come “before this body here before anything can be done. We are the ones who are going to have the say on it.”
Cllr Thomas Mulligan said that he welcomed the plan for four one-bed apartments but “the idea of having it overlooking a schoolyard has to be questioned.”
He said it was “unacceptable” to parents and said that people “were annoyed, that as councillors, that we didn't make them aware of this, but we knew nothing about it”, he said, and added that it should have been brought to their attention.
Cllr Sean McGowan said “the design is completely wrong” while Cllr Des Guckian described the project as “ill-advised” and stated he is aware that a “lot of people are against it.”

A report by Economic Development said that following the completion of the public consultation phase on April 11, a report will be prepared on behalf of the Chief Executive which includes summarising any submissions made and making a recommendation with regard to proceeding with the proposed development.
This report is then submitted to the elected members for their consideration, continuing that response and “it is therefore considered premature for the matter to be discussed at a meeting of the municipal district before the public consultation process has been completed or the submission of the Chief Executives report to the elected members.”
Cllr Armstrong-McGuire stressed that the project is "absolutely not going to be accepted the way it is and is not seen as a positive development.”
Cllr Paddy Farrell also supported the motion while Cllr McGowan said that he was made aware of the project through parents and “that was the first I knew about it.” He said the “design is completely wrong, looking over a school where children are playing.”
Cllr Guckian stated, “Parents and school management are very concerned that some dangerous odd-bod might be housed in an apartment and pose a danger to the children and to the staff.”
He also voiced concerns relating to parking spaces for the apartments as well as "valuable archaeological footprints at the back of the present derelict house.”
Cllr Stenson said, “We will do what is right by the parents and pupils.”
Referring to a recent serious incident of anti-social behaviour in Mohill, Cllr Mulligan said that he could see “quite clearly why people would be concerned regarding the type of person who may be allocated to these apartments beside a primary school. I would propose that the council does not proceed with this development.”
Justin Fannon, Leitrim County Council, said he would “advise the councillors to carefully look at the drawings in relation to overlooking; there is no facility to overlook that school when in an apartment.”
He added that the two ground floor apartments are “disabled-friendly.” He noted that 60 per cent of those on the housing list need one or two-bed properties, especially people with disabilities.
He continued, “A number of submissions have been made and the planning section will take those on board and as part of the Chief Executive's report, there will be conditions attached, before it comes to you as decision-makers.”
Cllr Armstrong-McGuire said, “Our purpose is to represent the people and they are concerned about it and fearful of it.” She stressed that she had every confidence in “the executive that they will do this right.”