Killymooney housing plans appealed

It's almost a year since the plans were first lodged.

A housing estate planned for Cavan town has been appealed to An Bord Pleanála.

The 24 homes planned by local Gaeltech Sustainable Living have been met with opposition by some given the site earmarked for them overlooks Killymooney Lough.

The company lodged plans for 26 homes at the site with Cavan County Council last August. This was later reduced to 24 homes after concerns over public open space were highlighted by the local authority.

The County Council granted approval for the homes in early June.

This decision has now been appealed to An Bord Pleanála (ABP) by the Friends of Killymooney Lough group, Friends of the Irish Environment, Eithne and Seán Gurhy and Gareth Talbot.

A decision on the plans is expected by the end of October.

Criticism of the plans centred around the site earmarked for the development. Located in the Aghnaskerry area of the town, next to Gaelscoil Bhreifne, it overlooks Killymooney Lough.

Submissions made to Cavan County Council as part of its consideration of the application highlighted concerns over the visual impact of the houses given their location, with a petition of over 200 signatures from local residents also submitted.

Incoming changes to the zoning of the site were also highlighted. Under the new County Development Plan (CDP), to come into effect from next week, the site will be zoned as 'Amenity and Open Space'.

However, as the planning application was lodged last year, under the current CDP, the zoning of 'Residential' applies. This move drew criticism and concern from some local residents.