Green light for major Tullamore housing development
An Coimisiún Pleanála has granted planning permission, with revised conditions, to a Tullamore-based development company for 86 new homes on a site on the Clara Road in the town.
The development, located at Kearney's Field on the Clara Road, comprises the construction of 86 residential units, consisting of 16 four-bed houses, 44 three-beds, 18 two-beds and eight one-beds.
The plans, lodged by Vita Stilo Limited (t/a Capital Homes), also include a new site entrance from the Clara Road, an estate road connection to the adjoining Knockowen Road, internal roads, paths, paving, parking and amenity space, including landscaped public open space.
The site of the proposed development measures 2.84 hectares and would constitute the third and final phase of the applicant's overall residential development in the area, which includes the relatively new 'Redwood' residential development to its south-east and the adjoining 'Hastings East' to its east
Four third-party appeals against the original planning permission were lodged with An Coimisiún Pleanála in October 2024 by Knockowen Residents Association; Pat & Fiona Brophy; Mark Goodings and the Knockowen Road Residents Association. Among the issues raised in the appeals were concerns relating to an increase in traffic on a dangerous bend on Knockowen estate and a lack of consultation with residents prior to the original planning application. The appellants also highlighted concerns about the proposed estate encroaching on a green area, and that a proposed cycleway would result in the existing green becoming a gathering place for people from outside the Knockowen estate and possibly lead to anti-social behaviour.
The An Coimisiún Pleanala inspector concluded that the proposed housing development would not "seriously injure the residential and visual amenities of the area, would not devalue property in the area, and would align with national policy to achieve higher density and compact settlements in key towns'. It said that the proposed development would, therefore, 'be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area'.
Among the 28 revised conditions attached to the granting of planning permission is one that states that, prior to the commencement of the development, the developer must submit a revised site layout plan demonstrating the substitution of the three-storey apartment building at numbers 7 and 8 Molloy Mews with a two-storey apartment building. The developer must also submit revised proposals for a full vehicular link between the proposed Molloy Mews Street and Knockowen Road.