Scheme of age-friendly houses proposed in the east

Cavan County Council is considering plans to construct a residential development of 26 age-friendly dwellings and a single-storey communal building near Virginia Town.

The BRS Developments application includes a Natura Impact Statement (NIS) and outlines associated infrastructural and site development works at Rahardrum and Ballaghanea.

The scheme has been designed by Hanley Taite Design Partnership Architects and the proposed dwellings are a mix of unit types tailored to meet the needs of an age-friendly community.

They include 12 two-bed, single-storey, semi-detached units; eight three-bed, dormer style, semi-detached units; five three-bed, two-storey, detached units; and one one-bed, single-storey detached unit.

The dwelling units will be complemented by private open spaces, dedicated parking areas, and landscaped surroundings, the plans say.

The site, according to submissions is accessed from the Bailieborough Road to the east, via the Drumlins.

The future Virginia Bypass, located to the northeast, will not directly impact the site.

BRS Development is a partnership comprising Brendan Smyth, Fintan Brady, and Tom Ruxton. The three partners are also the landowners of the development site.

Pre-planning consultations were held with Cavan County Council planning officials Nicholas O’Kane and Fintan Coffey, during which the scope of the proposed development was discussed.

It was agreed that a full planning application would be required to move the project forward.

The design statement submitted with the application describes the scheme as a “forward-thinking approach to age-friendly urban design,” prioritising health, safety, sustainability, and inclusivity.