Longford development overturned by An Bord Pleanála

A planning application for a 10 home development in Kenagh approved by Longford County Council planners has been overturned by An Bord Pleanála.

John and Sandra Conlon were granted permission for the development at Mosstown, Kenagh, Longford last August.

The application related to the proposed construction of a residential development of 10 dwelling houses.

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The properties would consist of eight two-bedroom two-storey terraced dwellings and two three-bedroom two-storey semi-detached dwellings.

Also included in the plans were provisions was an access point from the adjoining Deerpark estate, a green open space, boundary fences and walls.

The planning application covered the proposed connections to the existing foul sewer, surface water and watermain networks and all ancillary site works.

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There were eight submissions on the file when the application was initially approved by Longford County Council, two from Irish Water, and the remaining from private individuals .

The initial approval decision came with 13 conditions attached.

An appeal was lodged with An Bord Pleanála last August shortly after the proposed development received the green light.

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Senior planners made the ruling on January 2 last.

They stated that the development ran the risk of detracting from the amenity of the existing residents.

Senior planners outlined in their report the main reasons for their refusal.

They said the applicant had not demonstrated that the 'alignment of the proposed access road does not contravene condition number 6' of the planning authority register 04/733.

“This condition required all areas shown as public open spaces to be reserved for such use,” the report added.

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The senior planners stated the council’s ownership of the land is no justification for its development as a road to serve a private residential development.

"The development plan states that ‘the council will not normally permit development that would result in a loss of open space,” the decision document outlines. “The proposal to construct the access road in an area zoned recreation/ green space, where it is stated that the council will not normally permit development that would result in a loss of open space would contravene the zoning objective and seriously injure the amenities of the area.”

The appeal report summary also stated the proposed development would, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area and it refused planning permission on that basis.