Go-ahead for Laois shop to be knocked for new apartments and houses

A planning application for a new housing development in Abbeyleix has been given the green light by Laois County Council.
The plan includes the demolition of a shop and the construction of 26 new apartments and houses.

Applicant Cubic Housing Ltd. applied for permission to demolish a furniture shop called Dunnes Hardware, on New Row in Abbeyleix.

It sought permission to build a range of homes in its stead. The original plans sought permission for three 2-storey four bedroom terraced houses, four more attached homes with three bedrooms each, three dormer style three bedroom terraced homes, ten two bedroom bungalows, and finally a two storey duplex block containing eight one bedroom apartments.
The application also sought permission to install a communal bin and bicycle store, a new vehicular entrance from New Row, parking spaces, boundary treatments, a landscaped amenity space, a local road and footpaths.

Extensive further information was sought by Laois County Council from the applicant. The local authority raised concerns about the density of the development and a revised plan for 26 units rather than 28 was submitted. 

"The revised proposal reflects a scaled-back scheme in line with available infrastructure and sustainable growth objectives," said the applicant. 

The applicant was asked to provide a redesign of the footpath layout after concerns were raised from the Roads Design department and the removal of a communal  parking arrangement was also sought. 

The applicant said to accommodate this change modifications were required to the site layout and road geometry, which in turn resulted in the loss of two duplex units.

The applicant was also asked to provide a detailed waste disposal plan and a public lighting design for the development 
They were asked to make a pre-connection enquiry to Uisce Éireann and informed the Council that both the water and waste-water connections are feasible without the need for  upgrades.

Following the request for further information more detailed plans outlining the precise private open space area allocated to each individual unit was submitted. 

A road safety audit was also requested and the Council raised a number of road safety concerns which needed to be addressed. 

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Following this the applicant submitted revised visibility splays at the proposed entrance, revised parking and a yield sign at the entrance was changed to a stop sign. 

The proposed development includes a realignment of the existing pedestrian walkway that currently provides access from New Road to Fr Breen Park and associated community sports facilities. Written consent from the Trustees of Fr Breen Park, who hold authority over the affected right of way, was submitted. 

The application was granted permission with 19 conditions attached.