2560368
the development of 38 no. residential units at Glenmore Wood, Dublin Road, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, a site of circa. 0.59 Ha. The proposed development will comprise the construction of; 19 no. 2 bed ground floor apartments with 19 no. 3 bed duplex apartments above, total 3 storey in height with pitched ‘dutch’ gable roof arrangement. The apartments will be arranged in 5 no blocks around a centralised open space with courtyard parking arrangement providing 38 no. car parking spaces, integrated cycle parking and bin stores. The development provides for both private open space at ground and upper (balcony) levels and communal open space totalling 1,125 sqm, all associated hard and soft landscaping, boundary treatments, footpaths and all other ancillary works above and below ground
Core Refusal Reason
The proposed development was refused due to excessive density, inappropriate scale and massing that fails to integrate with the surrounding context, poor residential amenity regarding orientation and sunlight, and unresolved traffic safety and infrastructural connection issues.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The development's density, height, and massing are visually incongruous with the surrounding low-rise residential character and fail to comply with national density guidelines for suburban locations.
- The layout provides substandard residential amenity due to the predominantly north- and east-facing orientation of private open spaces, resulting in inadequate sunlight and exposure to noise and air pollution from the adjacent arterial road.
- The proposal lacks sufficient documentation regarding traffic safety, car parking provision, and confirmed feasibility for water and wastewater connections, rendering the development premature and potentially hazardous.