21462
(1) THE CONSTRUCTION OF 60 NO. TWO-STOREY DWELLINGS COMPRISING OF; 12 NO. ONE-BEDROOM APARTMENTS (TYPES A1, A2), 16 NO. TWO-BEDROOM TERRACE HOUSES (TYPES B1 , B3, B4), 1 NO. THREE-BEDROOM DETACHED HOUSE (TYPE D1), 28 NO. THREE-BEDROOM SEMI-DETACHED HOUSES (TYPES E, F1, F2), 2 NO. FOUR-BEDROOM SEMI-DETACHED HOUSES (TYPES G, H1), 1 NO. FIVE-BEDROOM DETACHED HOUSE (TYPE J2), WITH EACH DWELLING TO INCLUDE OPTION FOR SOLAR PANEL ON ROOF SLOPE; (2) PROVISION OF PRIVATE AMENITY SPACE AND 2 NO. CURTILAGE CAR PARKING SPACES FOR EACH DWELLING; (3) LANDSCAPED PUBLIC OPEN SPACE; (4) ASSOCIATED BOUNDARY TREATMENTS; (5) PUBLIC LIGHTING LAYOUT; (6) ESB UNIT SUBSTATION & PUMPING STATION; (7) DISTRIBUTOR ROAD FROM THE EXISTING ROUNDABOUT AND SPUR ROAD AT ARDAN ROAD (R421) AND DISTRIBUTOR ROAD TO THE SOUTHERN BOUNDARY OF THE APPLICATION SITE AND ASSOCIATED SURFACE WATER DRAINAGE CONNECTION VIA A WAYLEAVE TO THE EXISTING SURFACE WATER NETWORK ADJACENT TO THE ROUNDABOUT AT ARDAN ROAD; (8) SURFACE WATER CONNECTION TO THE EXISTING WATERCOURSE SOUTH OF THE DEVELOPMENT; (9) WASTEWATER CONNECTION TO THE EXISTING WASTEWATER SEWER AT ARDAN ROAD (R421) TO THE WEST OF THE DEVELOPMENT; (10) WATER SUPPLY CONNECTION VIA A WAYLEAVE TO THE EXISTING WATER NETWORK ADJACENT TO THE ROUNDABOUT AT ARDAN ROAD (R421 ); (11) SUDS DRAINAGE AND ALL ASSOCIATED SITE DEVELOPMENT WORKS NECESSARY TO FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT
Core Refusal Reason
The proposed residential development materially contravenes the 'Business or Technology Park' zoning objective for the site and fails to meet required standards for density and urban design.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The proposal materially contravenes the 'Business or Technology Park / Strategic Employment Zone' zoning objective for the area as defined in the Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027.
- The development represents an under-utilisation of serviced land due to a low net density that falls significantly below the 35-50 dwellings per hectare range recommended by national guidelines for such sites.
- The layout is dominated by vehicular roads and fails to establish a high-quality sense of place or provide a satisfactory urban design, contrary to DMURS and the Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas guidelines.