Plans for 40 new homes in Waterford town approved despite objections

Plans to build 40 new houses in Dungarvan have been approved despite initial concerns and objections to the application.

Following an appeal against the decision of the local authority, An Bord Pleanála, has granted permission for construction of the houses on lands to the rear of the Kilminion Close and Kilminion Park housing estates.

Four of the houses will be four-bed detached homes, ten four-bed semi-detached homes, twelve are three-bed semi-detached and fourteen are set to be two-bed terraced homes.

The site is approximately 1.6 hectares in size and is currently being used for agricultural purposes. 

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Additional agricultural land is located to the west and north of the site and access to the site is via Kilminion Close to the south of the site.

According to planning documents, concerns initially raised by third parties related to land ownership, site address and mapping such as a lack of services and infrastructure in Ballinroad, which will lead to additional journeys to Dungarvan and concerns that Ballinroad is already overdeveloped.

Additionally, it was pointed out that the road layout was "insufficient" and sightlines at public roads are deficient and the layout lacks capacity for traffic from proposed development and will impact on safety of children at play.

A traffic assessment found inadequacies based on the traffic counts submitted which do not take account of the busy summer season and the complete plan for the development of wider lands required for Ballinroad.

However, following further adjustments and an appeal of the initial decision, the Planning Authority confirmed that all relevant issues were addressed in the technical reports submitted to An Bord Pleanála with the appeal documentation. 

The Planning Authority stated that the decision was appropriate and in accordance with the provisions of the Waterford City and County Development Plan 2022-2028 and in accordance with the proposer planning and sustainable development of the area.

Furthermore, all information was fully reviewed, with amendments sought at further information stage. Public notices were satisfactory and found not to be misleading and traffic safety issues were fully considered by WCCC Senior Engineer, Roads Section and were considered satisfactory.