UPDATE: Planning permission denied for proposed apartments in South Kildare

Planning permission has been denied for the proposed development of apartments in South Kildare.

Back in March, the Leinster Leader reported that applicant James Doyle was seeking permission to construct apartments at the former Stream Inn premises in Calverstown.

The application also noted "an amendment to the previously granted planning permission under reg. ref. 24/60910".

Now, Kildare County Council (KCC) has refused planning permission for the development.

Explaining its decision, KCC said that its planning authority has "serious concerns" regarding the scale of the proposed development, in addition to the "lack of provision of open space both public and private within the proposed residential development".

KCC elaborated: "As set out under Section 15.6.6 of the 'Kildare County Development 2023- 2029', public open space must be carefully designed as an integral part of the layout of all residential schemes / mixed schemes from the outset, being addressed at the initial design stages.'

"Furthermore, Section 3.35 of the 'Sustainable Urban Housing: Design Standards for New Apartments Guidelines', states that it is a policy requirement that private amenity space shall be provided in the form of gardens or patios / terraces for ground floor apartments and balconies at upper levels.

"Having regard to the overall scale and bulk of the development within a rural settlement and in the absence of the provision of both public and private open space, the proposed development would seriously injure the residential amenities of the area."

KCC concluded: "The proposed development would therefore be contrary to Section 15.6.6 of the 'Kildare County Development Plan 2023-2029', Section 3.35 of the 'Sustainable Urban Housing: Design Standards for New Apartments Guidelines' and to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area."

OBJECTIONS

In total, three objections were lodged against the development — a submission by one Cormac Hickey listed multiple objections, which included concerns over: the size and scale of the development; the potential impact on the environment; a lack of a Building Life Cycle Report; and the proposed two-storey extension in the application.

Another objection was submitted by Fianna Fáil TD for Kildare South, Seán Ó Fearghaíl.

The former Ceann Comhairle said: "I share many of the views held by Cormac Hickey in his submission, particularly relating to the three-storey nature of the proposed development which is located in the heart of this idyllic village."

"While I strongly support the provision of additional housing the character of the local village must be preserved."

Another objector, Anthony McNamee, submitted that the proposed development would: have an adverse impact on my light / privacy; would conflict with the Kildare County Development Plan 2023-2029; and that claimed that the development had not taken into consideration the "adverse effect it would have on parking in the community".

READ NEXT: Kildare projects receive over €25,000 under Heritage Council scheme