Further information sought on controversial housing plans

Further information has been sought on a controversial housing development planned for Cavan Town.

Galetech Sustainable Living has applied for permission to build 26 three-bed homes at Aghnaskerry, overlooking Killymooney Lough.

The development was described as “making a mockery of councillors” by a local resident, due to planned changes to the County Development Plan.

The site is currently zoned for residential development but, as it stands, this will change to Amenity and Open Space under the draft County Development Plan 2022-2028, meaning development cannot take place.

Galetech Sustainable Living said in September it’s “committed to playing its part in delivering the homes, which Cavan urgently needs” and the lands are “designated as the highest priority for residential development” within the current CDP.

Under the plans, an existing derelict house on the site will be demolished to make way for the new estate.

Twelve of the houses will be dormer style, semi-detached dwellings with a basement. The other 14 will be two-storey, semi-detached houses.

The plans also include access roads to the site, footpaths, street lighting and connections to public services.

The development has prompted concern from some local residents. Seamus Galligan from Ardkeen has described the plans as ‘underhand’, saying they make “a mockery of councillors voting on the plan at all”.

He questioned the decision to proceed with the planning application at this stage and said the site should be protected.

Cavan County Council was due to make a decision on the plans by Monday of this week. However, it has now requested further information from the developer.

Five submissions were made to the Council on the plans, including from ‘Friends of the Irish Environment’, ‘Friends of Killymooney Lough’, local residents and others.

Among the concerns raised were the potential impact on Killymooney Lough and flora and fauna in the area, as well as traffic and safety concerns.