Green light for Belturbet housing development
A Belturbet auctioneer has been given the green light for a housing development near the town centre.
Mark Lawlor has secured planning permission, albeit with close to two dozen individual conditions attached, to build nine residential units at Chapel Road and Widow’s House Lane.
The units concerned comprise five apartment/maisonettes and four terraced houses. The original application was for 10 three-bed, two-storey dwellings, but revised plans were lodged.
A new entrance to a semi-enclosed courtyard, along with parking for 10 cars with access from Widow’s House Lane, is also provided for in the latest plans. Landscaping, connection to existing services and associated site development works are also included.
The works require the demolition of two existing single-storey, out-buildings, as well as alterations to an existing entrance, and the construction of a new single-storey store and roofed yard to adjoining commercial premises.
A design statement, submitted by Smith Architects of Belturbet, outlined: “The vision for the development is to provide an attractive and desirable residential development that is sympathetic to the local build environment.”
The design statement also stated that the proposed development “reinforces and provides new streetscapes to both Chapel Road and Widow’s House Lane and improves the road junction with the widening of Widow’s House Lane and the provision of a new footpath”.
Third party submissions on the plans were made by Cathal and Maura Hughes, trading as Church View Guest House.
They voiced concern over “significant business loss due to noise disturbance” if the development was permitted. They also felt it would have a “detrimental effect on tourism in Belturbet” where there is no alternative guest accommodation, other than their own, available in the town.
“The stress associated with noise disturbance and anti-social behaviour at present is of major concern for our business,” they added, citing also a “loss of sunlight”, the potential for a “fire risk”, sustainability and housing densities in the local area.
In a second submission the couple voiced concern over the availability of public open space, as per current guidelines.
Bin storage, car parking, drainage and the impact of external lighting were also highlighted as areas of concern.
As a result of the submissions, significant further information was required and submitted, along with revised plans for the proposed development.
The further information submitted included an Invasive Species Survey, a Road Safety Audit and further details on consent and floor plans and elevations.
The Invasive Species Survey was carried out by Japanese Knotweed Control Limited, which inspected the site in January 2023.
They found knotweed covering an area of approximately 48 square metres. The site is already heavily overgrown and it is proposed to first clear other vegetation before cutting the knotweed canes to be bagged for off-site removal.
The Road Safety Audit, compiled by Cavan firm Traffic Transport and Road Safety Associates Limited in July 2023, noted a number of issues including lack of road user awareness of priority at a nearby crossroads, vehicle parking, speeds on the road, surface water, and what the report describes as “inconsistent and misleading tactile guidance and hazard paving”.
Solutions were put forwards for each of the issues highlighted.
Thomas McCague of Drumarg Properties Ltd, Diamond Court, Belturbet, meanwhile granted Mr Lawlor consent to carry out works to lay-by parking, including the omission of one car parking space at Diamond Court, Chapel Road, in order to facilitate a pedestrian crossing.
Planning was granted with a total of 23 conditions attached, including that the developer must pay €45,000 in fees to the council, and before work begins, a bond of an insurance company or other security be provided at €2,000 per dwelling.
LED lighting is required for the scheme and, during construction, the developer will be liable for any structural damage caused to roads or footpaths in the area.
An archaeological survey of the site must also be carried out.