Plans for apartments at well known Kildare pub are turned down
The proposal was rejected after it was appealed
A plan to build new apartments on a former pub site in Naas has been rejected by An Coimisiún Plealála.
The proposal was to develop the former Swan Dowling's licenced premises at Newbridge Road.
The application, in the name of Eamon Cooke (Cooke’s of Caragh), sought to demolish the building and construct 76 residential units.
These were mainly two-bedroom units (39) and one-bedroom units (33) - with four three-bedroom units making up the balance.
The plans also envisaged a mixed use development made up of four commercial units, a resident amenity room (a shared area providing facilities and services) and a creche.
The application says that each dwelling will have a balcony/terrace space and a communal open space will be provided.
There will be 41 car park spaces for residents.
The plans also included 123 bicycle parking spaces for residents as well as four spaces for motorcycles.
However this was turned down by Kildare County Council in late February - before being appealed by Mr Cooke to ACP, which said that the proposal significantly exceeded recommended residential ranges - even though the site is located within Naas town centre.
And the "exceedance" of these ranges “has not been adequately justified having regard to the specific characteristics of the site.”
ACP said the plan would be “ contrary to the compact growth provisions of the Sustainable Residential Development and Compact Settlements – Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2024).
The Commission also referred to the proximity of the proposed car park ventilation grills to the adjoining property along the eastern boundary, and the reliance on underground attenuation tanks as the primary surface management solution, “demonstrates that the density of the proposed development exceeds that which is appropriate for the site.”
It added the plan would be be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
It further referred to “the lack of adequate detail in relation to access, mobility management, road safety audits, creche details, landscaping and green infrastructure” which meant that to approve the project would be premature.