Longford councillors slam massive Edgeworthstown housing development plan as 'ridiculous'

A planning decision to give the go-ahead for 100 new homes in Edgeworthstown have been slammed as “bordering on the ridiculous”.

An Bord Pleanála approved plans for 50 new homes together with a further 50 apartments at Bloomfield Park along Bracklin Road.

Plans for the multi million euro development were lodged with An Bord Pleanála in April under the State's Strategic Housing Development (SHD) process.

The process was introduced in 2016 in a bid to speed up the planning process, developers can apply directly to An Bord Pleanála for housing developments of at least 100 units or student accommodation containing 200 beds or more.

In a series of submissions contained in the planning file, local residents bemoaned the proposed site’s inappropriate location, density, facilities and services concerns as well as fears linked to Edgeworthstown’s wastewater capacity levels.

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In an inspector’s report carried as part of An Bord Pleanala’s ruling, Irish Water said it had carried out an upgrade of the town’s wastewater system since a pre-application consultation was held.

However, local politicians have been quick to call into question the rationale behind the decision.

Cllr Mick Cahill said he was “surprised” to learn of the upgrade works undertaken by Irish Water and said while the development was substantial, he was heartened to note the developer planned to put in place infrastructural additions, typified by a green space.

Fine Gael Cllr Paul Ross said he was both “puzzled and surprised” at how planning officials opted to give the green light to the project when an application for a primary health care centre and 20 houses was refused owing to sewage capacity concerns in the mid Longford town.

He said a number of local residents had equally expressed reservations over the size and scope of the development, sentiments which were shared by Independent Cllr Mark Casey. “It’s too much,” he said. “Edgeworthstown is already oversized for a town of its size and the last thing it needs is another 100 houses.

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“There is no banking facility there and there is just no infrastructure and this is another poor planning decision by An Bord Pleanala.

“The town is already max to capacity and to add another 100 houses is simply bordering on the ridiculous.

“We all know houses have to be built but there has to be better infrastructure in place and facilities for people that are buying these types of houses to ensure towns don’t get overpopulated.”

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