Contentious housing plan approved in Laois town

An application to build multiple small homes in the back garden of a house in a Laois town has been approved by Laois County Council. 

Applicant Springhill Properties Ltd from Carlow has won permission to build seven single bedroom 506 sqft units behind a terraced house, 5 Parnell Street in Mountmellick. They say it was inspired by the Courtview development in Stradbally.

The Laois planners say that the single storey terraced properties must be only for use by older people and people with limited mobility. The developer notes also that the single storey small dwellings will be suited to homeowners wanting to downsize.

There were seven submissions by neighbours objecting to the plan, including from a pub across the road, a school, a church and homeowners.

Architect's drawing of the new homes approved behind 5 Parnell Street, Mountmelllick. 

Their concerns included the absence of parking spaces and a negative effect on street parking, privacy and noise. 

The council says that the developer had addressed all those concerns.

Addressing concerns by the Church of Ireland parish, the developer says that construction will be halted during funerals or services in the neighbouring St Paul's Church, if prior notice is given.

Neighbours were concerned that the absence of parking spaces would add extra pressure to street parking. The council note that "although no on-site car parking is proposed, the site is in a town centre area with good access to public transport and within walking distance of local amenities. This is consistent with Section 4.6 of the national apartment guidelines, which support reduced or no car parking in central, well-serviced locations".

"Concerns relating to privacy, light pollution, and obstruction have also been considered. The proposed units are designed to minimise overlooking, and appropriate lighting will be provided throughout the site," the council also notes.

The stone boundary wall must be retained and made good, with no ivy allowed to grow.

The development will be connected to mains water and sewage with a bin storage area.

All of the homes will be offered for sale to the council for social housing, and if the council does not want to buy them, it will be offered two, to fulfil the developer's Part 5 social housing obligation. The developer also says it have been in discussion with housing bodies. 

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The development will be maintained by a management company. Addressing questions of security, the developer says it will be accessed through a key fob locked entrance, with CCTV cameras, streetlights and overlooked public spaces.

Parnell Street is being considered for conversion into a one way street, to ease traffic flow in Mountmellick, and allow greater parking opportunities on the street. Read our vox pop of local views here.

A previous, similar planning application with nine houses and parking spaces, had been rejected back in 2022.

The goahead could yet be appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanála.