An Bord Pleanála has refused planning approval for a social housing development of 71 homes on the outskirts of the city.
The city council made an Appropriate Assessment planning application to the bord back in 2021 for the houses at Keeraun on the Ballymoneen Road.
The proposed housing was to consist of 4 one-bedroom units, 34 two-bedroom homes, 22 three-bedroom houses, 3 four-bedroom units, and 8 Traveller Appropriate Accommodation units.
Other works involved in the project were associated carparking and bicycle parking, green spaces & landscaping, connection to existing services and all ancillary/enabling site development works.
In refusing permission, An Bord Pleanála said that although the land was zoned residential, this development would “continue and extend the piecemeal development of the area”, without adequate infrastructure.
The decision said that the lack of safe pedestrian links, the distance to public transport, and lack of social and community facilities nearby would make it heavily car dependent.
The lack of alternative travel options meant that the development would be “contrary to national, regional, and local policy objectives on sustainable mobility”.
“The proposed development would therefore be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area”.
The substandard width and alignment of the local road, along with the increased traffic from the social housing, would also create a road safety hazard, the Bord said.
