Laois residents take objection to housing plan to An Bord Pleanála

Residents in Killenard have taken their objection to a housing development in the village to An Bord Pleanála. 

Applicant Matt Colgan was granted planning permission by Laois County Council to build five detached dormer houses at Tierhogar, Killenard. He was also granted permission for a new site entrance and access road off an existing cul-de-sac, the demolition/removal of existing derelict farm buildings, a landscaped pedestrian link from the L3171, proposed new boundaries, landscaping, a shared green area, related and ancillary services and all associated site-works.

However local residents Patrick and Elizabeth Costello have now lodged an appeal against the development with An Bord Pleanála. 

The site has been subject to numerous planning applications in the past. Most recently Laois County Council granted planning for up to 99 houses to be developed in 2022 however this was subsequently refused by  An Bord Pleanála which deemed the plans to be “contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area”. 

In their submission to the Council Patrick and Elizabeth Costello outlined how they were concerned that this application will be followed by more applications for additional houses if access is established. 

They also raised concerns about the capacity of the wastewater system, the impact of additional traffic, the impact the houses will have on privacy and lighting and that the removal of the proposed entrance will remove a bank of land which has been utilised and maintained by the residents. 

In the planning documents the applicant says: “The proposed dormer style houses with single-storey returns are designed to reduce the height and impact, in relation to the bungalows opposite and the private garden to the 2-storey house on the 

south side of the site. The proposed houses are served by their own access road thereby establishing a good separation distance (40.6 -42 metres) between the dormers and the existing bungalows.” 

The application was granted by Laois County Council with 20 conditions attached. 

 An Bord Pleanála is due to make a decision on the development by March 31, 2025.