Sheltered housing gets green light in Castleblayney

The award-winning design of a new sheltered housing development planned for the centre of Castleblayney is proving contentious for residents of the area, it emerged at last week's Monaghan County Council meeting.

The project, to be developed on the site of the old fire station and Commons area off Thomas Street, a location surrounded by several residential and commercial properties, came before the members of the Council for approval under Part VIII of the Planning and Development Regulations.

The content of five objections to the development from residents of the area, questioning whether the building would fit in with the existing town character and raising concerns about possible anti-social behaviour; traffic safety issues and other matters were raised at the meeting by ‘Blayney councillors Aidan Campbell (FG) and Paul Gibbons (SF).

But, after a debate, the council gave the planning green light to the project on a vote of 16-1.

The sole voice of dissent was Monaghan Town-based SF councillor Seán Conlon, who branded the design of the building “absolutely diabolical” and not in keeping with the build heritage of its surrounds.

Senior Executive Planner Toirleach Gourley told the meeting that the objections had been fully considered and assessed. From the planning authority’s perspective this was a proposal for much-needed housing in a town centre location and the height of the building is what one expects in such a location. The design, he said, is award-winning.

“We think the project is acceptable and we ask the members to propose it,” Mr. Gourley stated.

Cllr Campbell said the Commons carpark is currently full and there are concerns among local people about a 3.5-storey development in an area where there is two-storey housing.

Cllr Gibbons agreed housing is desperately needed in Castleblayney but said this project has caused concern among a very large and long-established town centre community. He thought parts of the development will be effectively five-storey and he wasn’t aware of even a four-storey building in ‘Blayney. He also referred to concerns about possible excessive noise.

Mr Gourley said there had been a yard in this location previously and some noise will be expected in a town centre location. With regard to concerns about overlooking and overshadowing, the planner said there had been a daylight analysis carried and, while the apartments may not meet Government guidelines in all cases, there is flexibility in this regard in a town centre location.

The senior planner reminded Cllr Campbell that anti-social behaviour is a matter for the Gardaí, although he added there will be some management of the property.

Senior Executive Housing Engineer Lorcán MacCinna emphasised how this is sheltered housing development for older people, something the elected members were very much in favour of when they visited a similar development in Dundalk some years ago. It is the first development of its kind the Council has managed to get to this stage and he didn’t think anti-social behaviour or noise will be an issue.

“I think the merits outweigh the negatives and I will formally propose it,” said Cllr Gibbons, adding that he will always support housing development in Castleblayney but wanted to flag local concerns. He requested that, in future, the Council give particular consideration to the scale and design of such projects that can cause issues for existing residents.

Cllr Campbell said there is a lot of sensitivity among local people about the project, which he described as a massive build in a town centre area. He favoured the project proceeding but urged sensitivity in the construction process, stating: “We need engagement and to bring people along with us.”

Cllr S. Conlon highlighted how there are buildings on Church Street designated of special interest.

“The design of what I am looking at is absolutely diabolical and an insult to the built heritage in nearby Church Street,” he declared. “I am opposed to it and will be voting against it.”

Cllr Noel Keelan (SF) said there is a big need for such accommodation across the entire county. He asked if there was any avenue for objecting to the planning permission and delaying the project.

Mr Gourley clarified that there is no appeal process under a Part VIII application.

Cllr Colm Carthy (SF) said he was part of the delegation that visited the North East Housing development in Dundalk and saw the benefit of having sheltered accommodation facilities to encourage independent living. Developments like this will be welcome in all the county’s towns and Castleblayney will be the pilot scheme, he suggested.

He emphasised, however, the importance of public consultation and engagement in such projects.

In this case, Cllr Carthy said elected members were told the architects had won a design competition for the project before they were shown the detailed plans.

Cathaoirleach P J O’Hanlon (FF) said the Council needed to be careful in the future about the sensitivities of people living in the vicinity of proposed developments like this.