A planning appeal has been lodged against the county council’s rejection of a residential development of 72 houses and apartments in Athenry.
Bellerin 3A Limited is seeking approval for the construction of 30 houses and 42 apartments on a 2.66ha site at Prospect, Athenry.
The proposed mix of housing in the plans is for 20 one-bed and 22 two-bed apartments spread across nine two-storey blocks, along with 8 two-bed houses, 21 three-bed houses, and 1 four-bed house.
The county council refused planning at the end of August, noting that the site on the south-western edge of Athenry is not currently zoned for development.
The decision also stated that the proposed estate lacked sufficient pedestrian and cycling connectivity to the wider urban area, and would therefore pose a risk to pedestrians and other road users.
The council also stated that the proposed density and configuration of the estate would not relate to the surrounding area, and had insufficient central and usable public and communal spaces.
The decision has now been appealed to An Bord Pleanála, which is due to make a decision on the case by February 2 of 2024.
The appeal states that the draft 2023 – 2029 Local Area Plan for Athenry had not yet been adopted at the time the decision was made, and that the land was zoned residential in the previous plan.
It also argues that a proposed realignment to the Prospect Road to create an entrance would include the addition of a footpath where there currently is none.
The developer also argues that the proposed density of 30.1 units per hectare is consistent with national guidelines.
