221581
A mixed-use development located at the junction of Academy Street and Dublin Road (R147), adjacent to / south & south-east of the existing Academy Square development, Navan, County Meath. The proposed development consists of a ten storey building, over a basement level, comprised of 2 no. retail / commercial units, 24 no. 1 & 2 bed Independent Living Units, including for ancillary services & facility rooms, and 43 no. 1 & 2 bed apartments. The basement level includes for 65 no. car parking spaces (Including for 3 no. disabled parking spaces and 18 no. EV parking spaces), an attenuation tank, plant room, and will be accessed from, and form part of, the basement level of the existing Academy Square development to the north & north-west. The ground floor of the building Is comprised of 2 no. retail/ commercial units (c. 184 sq.m & c. 139 sq.m respectively), an ESB substation (to be relocated from its existing location at the western boundary of the site), switch room, 2 no. bin storage areas and 1 no. bicycle store area (total capacity: 90 no. bicycle parking spaces). The ground and first floors of the building also provide for 7 no. ancillary services & facility rooms associated with the proposed development's Independent Living Units. The first, second and third floors of the building consist of 24 no. 1 & 2 bed Independent Living Units, comprised of 11 no.1 bed units and 13 no. 2 bed units, including for communal open space at the first floor (c. 74 sq.m) and 2 no. communal rooms at the second floor (c. 57 sq.m & 57 sq.m respectively). The fourth to ninth floors of the building consist of 43 no. 1 & 2 bed apartments, comprised of 24 no. 1 bed units and 19 no. 2 bed units, with communal open space provided at the ninth floor (c. 74 sq.m). The proposed development includes for the demolition of existing structures on site. Maintenance vehicle access to the proposed ESB substation will be from Dublin Road (R147), while vehicle access to the proposed basement will be from the existing vehicular access point on Academy Street to the north-west of the site (i.e., through the existing Academy Square development)........
Core Refusal Reason
The proposed development fails to meet the criteria of the Justification Test for flood risk management, as the site is located in high-risk Flood Zones B and C and the applicant failed to demonstrate that safe, flood-free access can be provided for residents and emergency services.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The proposed development does not satisfy the requirements of the Planning System and Flood Risk Management Guidelines, specifically the Justification Test for highly vulnerable residential uses.
- Proposed mitigation measures, such as providing an emergency rib craft for access, are insufficient to manage residual risk to an acceptable level for people and property.
- While the density and building height were found acceptable in principle for this urban infill site, the flood risk remains a fundamental barrier that makes the development contrary to proper planning and sustainable development.