2560387
demolition of 3 no. structures on site including a 2-storey habitable house (total GFA 207 sq.m) and 2 no. sheds/outbuildings (c.580 sq.m). Closures of 2 no. existing entrances onto the Kilbride Road (L-6179). Construction of a new residential development and local centre comprising: 666 no. units (578 no. semi-detached and terraced housing (100 no. 2 beds, 317 no. 3 beds, 161 no. 4 beds) and 88 no. apartments and duplex apartments (24 no. 1 beds, 51 no. 2 beds and 13 no. 3 beds)). All residential units will have associated private open space facing north/ south/ east/ west. The proposal will also include a local centre (c. 2335 sq.m) comprising a creche (c.1,095sqm) with outdoor play area, 3 no. community/medical units (c.450 sq.m), and 3 no. retail units (c.790sq.m). Building heights within the development will range from one to five storeys. The development will include streets, pedestrian/cycle links, open spaces/parks (with play areas) and will include amendments to the permitted open spaces and access road granted as part of the Phase 1/Character Area 1a development (WCC Reg. Ref.: 23/756 on the subject lands. The development will also include a public boardwalk/bridge for pedestrians and cyclists from the development across Arklow Town Marsh and the Avoca River to the Arklow Riverwalk north of Arklow Town Car Park and the Town Centre, with the bridge element (and associated works) across the Avoca River constructed atop the concrete columns (debris traps) permitted as part of the Arklow Flood Relief Scheme (Planning Ref. ABP-310368-21). All associated site development works, site reprofiling, infrastructural and drainage works, surface water attenuation and natural attenuation areas, connection to public services and utilities (including undergrounding of ESB lines), provision of substations, bin stores, bicycle stores, car and cycle parking at surface and undercroft levels, public lighting, landscaping and planting, public/communal/private open spaces and boundary treatment works. This development will form part of the designated Kilbride Action Area Plan AAP3
Core Refusal Reason
The development materially conflicts with the Core Strategy by exceeding housing targets and proposes an unsustainable scale on peripheral greenfield lands with an unrealistic delivery timeframe and a deficient Environmental Impact Assessment Report.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The proposal would result in the population targets set out in the Core Strategy being materially exceeded and represents an unsustainable scale of development on peripheral greenfield lands.
- The anticipated construction period of 10.7 years significantly exceeds the 7-year lifespan of the LRD permission, potentially sterilising the site and leaving the development without adequate pedestrian/cycle connectivity.
- The Environmental Impact Assessment Report is deficient, providing insufficient information to assess impacts on the Arklow Town Marsh (pNHA), local watercourses, traffic, and archaeology.