2261303

for the development which will consist of: • The demolition of 2 no. single storey dwellings and associated structures along with removal of existing partly demolished house and rubble, • The construction of a mixed use office, enterprise and residential development within 4 no. building blocks, • Building No. 1 will consist of a 3 storey duplex building to accommodate 2 no. home office/start up units and 4 no. 1 bed apartments on the ground floor, and 6 no. 2 bedroom apartments on the first and second floor, • Building No. 2 will consist of a 3 storey duplex building to accommodate 2 no. home office/start up units and 6 no. 1 bedroomed apartments on the ground floor, and 8 no. 2 bedroom apartment units on the first and second floor, • Building No. 3 will consist of a single storey building to accommodate incubator/start up offices. • Building No. 4 will consist of a 3 storey duplex building to accommodate a ground floor Enterprise Centre and 8 no. 2 bed apartments on the first and second floor, • Provision of a new vehicular and pedestrian access from the Caheroyan Road, • Provision of an ESB Sub Station, • Provision of carparking including a number of dedicated electrical charge spaces and ducting to all spaces for future charging points; • Provision of public & private open spaces, bicycle parking, bin storage, site landscaping, play spaces and public lighting; • Provision of landscaping and riverside amenity area and associated drainage swales, • Connection to existing services, revised boundary treatments, footpath connections, signage locations and all associated site development works. A Natura Impact Statement will be submitted to the planning authority with this application.Gross floor space of proposed works 3,857.13sqm.

Refused

Core Refusal Reason

While the Planning Authority initially refused permission based on traffic safety (insufficient sightlines), excessive density, and drainage deficiencies, the Inspector recommended a grant of permission, concluding that the proposal constitutes a sustainable use of serviced backland at an appropriate density (34 units/ha) that complies with DMURS traffic standards and provides high-quality public open space near Athenry town centre.

Decision Maker's Conclusion

  • The proposed residential density of 34 units per hectare is appropriate and sustainable for this edge-of-town-centre location, which benefits from proximity to public transport (600m to railway station) and local amenities.
  • The site access and visibility splays are achievable in accordance with DMURS standards, and the Traffic and Transport Assessment demonstrates the development will not significantly impact the local road network or public safety.
  • The design and layout, which includes nearly 16% usable open space and a riverside amenity area, effectively integrates the development into the backland site while protecting the residential amenity of neighboring properties through specific design revisions.

Cited Policies (CDP)

DM Standard 28Policy Objective WW7Policy Objective WW8DM Standard 2Policy Objective UL 1Policy Objective SGV 12Policy Objective PM 1Policy Objective PM 6Policy Objective PM 8Policy Objective PM 10Policy Objective PM 11Policy Objective CGR 6Policy Objective UL 2Policy Objective UL 3Policy Objective AH 12Policy Objective SS 3CS 2 Compact GrowthCS 3 Population GrowthCGR 1 Compact Growth

Decision Document Summary

The proposal consists of a mixed-use development on a 1.34-hectare backland site at Caherroyn, Athenry, comprising 32 residential units and 1,269.6 sqm of office/enterprise space across four blocks. The site is strategically located between existing housing estates and the Clarin River, approximately 250m from the town centre. Although the Planning Authority refused permission on six grounds—including traffic hazards, drainage concerns, and overdevelopment—the Inspector's assessment overturned t...
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