22677

for (i) demolition of existing house two-storey house and single-storey outbuilding; (ii) construction of a residential development comprising 1 no. four storey over basement level plant room apartment building comprising 40 no. apartments (17 no. one bedroom, 19 no. two-bedroom & 4 no. three-bedroom) with each apartment having access to private amenity space, in the form of a balcony, and having access to an area of communal amenity space (260sq.m), public open space (515sq.m), a vehicular parking area (50 no. spaces), 5 no. bicycle sheds (60 no. spaces) and secure bin store all at surface level; (iii) construction of new pedestrian entrance via Old Hill Road; (iv) provision of private amenity space (48sq.m) to serve existing gate lodge dwelling; and (v) all ancillary works including landscaping, boundary treatments, SuDS drainage and all site services, site infrastructure and associated site development works necessary to facilitate the development

Refused

Core Refusal Reason

The proposed development was refused primarily due to the loss of Hillford House, a 19th-century dwelling of significant architectural merit, and the removal of mature trees, which together with the scale and design of the proposed apartment block, would constitute overdevelopment and negatively impact the character and visual amenity of the area.

Decision Maker's Conclusion

  • The demolition of a significant 19th-century dwelling and its replacement with a four-storey monolithic apartment block represents an incongruous overdevelopment that fails to protect the architectural heritage and established residential amenity of the site.
  • The proposal involves the unacceptable removal of mature trees and green infrastructure without adequate replacement landscaping or a comprehensive biodiversity assessment, specifically regarding protected bat species.
  • The applicant failed to provide necessary technical documentation, including a detailed surface water drainage strategy (SuDS) and an independent road safety audit, posing potential risks to public safety and environmental management.

Cited Policies (CDP)

Policy 17.4.5Policy NH1Policy GI8Policy GI9Objective GI 1.1Objective GI 1.2Objective GI 1.5Objective GI 1.7Policy HC 1Objective HCO 3Policy HCO 2Policy HD 1Objective HDO 1Objective HDO 3Policy LD 1Objective LDO 1Objective LDO 3Policy MD 1Objective MDO 1Objective SNO 2Policy DL 1Objective DLO 1Objective DLO 2Objective DLO 3Policy SR 1Objective SR01

Decision Document Summary

Benduff Ireland Limited proposed the demolition of Hillford House, a prominent late 19th-century detached residence, to facilitate the construction of a 40-unit apartment development in a four-storey block at Old Hill, Leixlip, Co. Kildare. The site, located at the junction of Old Hill Road and Station Road, is characterized by its heritage value and mature tree coverage. Kildare County Council refused the application on the grounds that the loss of the historic building and mature vegetation wo...
SOURCE PDFOpen Original
Note: If code appears below, the council site is blocking the preview. Please open the original file.