Push for area plan update in light of ABP refusal at Petitswood

Disappointment that An Bord Pleanála (ABP) has turned down planning permission for a 295-unit housing development at Petitswood in Mullingar was expressed by councillors at the monthly meeting of Westmeath County Council. Interim council CEO Barry Kehoe revealed that their disappointment was shared by the council executive.

First out of the traps was Cllr Mick Dollard, who linked it to the need to have an area action plan drawn up: he said An Bord Pleanála had cited a “deficiency” in the existing plan and as a result, he was keen to know at what stage is preparation of an updated plan for the area.

Backing came from Cllr Andrew Duncan: “It’s just hugely disappointing that a viable scheme – at a time where there’s such a shortage of housing – should be refused on what would appear to be an anomaly that we need to get sorted rapidly,” he stated.

Responding, Mr Kehoe told councillors that since refusal of the Petitswood development, council staff have been studying the inspector’s report and the board decision, and will see where they go from there.

On the subject of a Mullingar area plan, Mr Kehoe said the first phase of consultation has been complete, and the chief executive’s report on that is being prepared. He hoped that by summertime, the chief executive’s report and the draft plan would be circulated to the members for their approval.

Charlestown

A request for an update on the Respond approved housing body development of 99 units at Mullingar was requested by Cllr Ken Glynn at the meeting:

“We had hoped that phase one would have been ready before Christmas and I know that the team on the ground in housing tell me ‘hopefully next month’. Have there been any further delays that you’re aware of? Are we hoping that phase one will be available for next month?” Cllr Glynn asked.

Cllr Duncan agreed, saying it would be great to know when the houses would be coming on stream, saying things seemed to be dragging out for an unnecessary length of time.

Jackie Finney of the council’s housing department stated that officials have met with Respond a number of times recently:

“There are 12 units complete and there’s a number of other units that are very close to completion,” she said, adding that there is some work to be done on a foul sewer connection and a right-turn lane on the road.

Ms Finney said she expected to see houses there available for allocation very shortly. She also revealed that the developer has submitted the phasing for the next section of the development.

Cllr Glynn went on to query whether, as part of the Charlestown development, there are any works planned for the Weldon’s Cross junction: “It’s definitely, I think, something we should be looking at because we could have major road safety issues there and lengthy delays, which will force cars to go cross-country, which is obviously then going to populate our local roads.”

Ms Finney undertook to look into the issue.

Belvedere Orphanage

Council cathaoirleach, Cllr Liam McDaniel, raised a query over the proposed start date for a development planned for the Belvedere Orphanage site in Tyrrellspass, and was told by Ms Finney that it should start in the second quarter of this year.