Virginia housing projects appealed

Two proposed housing projects in Virginia have been appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanála following concerns expressed by local residents.

The first is a 12-unit residential development in Rahardrum, proposed by Micheal O’Donoghue.

The development comprises six four-bedroom and six three-bedroom, two-storey, semi-detached houses.

Cavan County Council granted planning permission for the scheme, subject to 32 conditions.

In 2005, Mr O’Donoghue applied to build 54 fully-serviced, two-storey homes on the same lands, a proposal that was also approved, then subject to 43 conditions. That earlier plan included a mix of detached and semi-detached homes and aimed to connect to public services being installed by a neighbouring developer at Rampart View.

The current appeal was lodged in the names of local residents Francis and Aine Needham.

Their objections include concerns over increased pedestrian traffic, the removal of planted vegetation - a seven-year-old tree - to make way for a pathway, and the impact of construction works in close proximity to their home.

The second appeal relates to a separate proposal to complete the final phase of an existing housing estate at Dunancory Demesne, near Virginia.

The developer there, S Gaffney & Son Ltd, was granted permission in August to build four detached, two-storey dwellings on the remaining undeveloped portion of the estate.

This area was previously partially developed, with some homes, approved in 2006, not yet built. Sheelin & McCabe Planning Services Limited appealed the council’s decision, having earlier raised concerns over potential flood risk and alleged overdevelopment.

They also contended that the latest application does not adequately address issues raised in previous refusals.

In response, council planners stated the site lies outside any designated flood zone, based on current mapping, and that no credible flood evidence was submitted. They further noted that the site is now zoned residential land - a change since previous planning refusals - and considered the development to be a natural extension of the existing estate.

Environmental considerations were also assessed, given the site’s proximity to the Deerpark Natural Heritage Area and the River Blackwater. Statutory bodies, including Inland Fisheries Ireland and the Department of Housing, were consulted, and no objections were recorded.