Residents have concerns about 212-unit housing development
The concerns of residents living in neighbouring estates must be taken into account before An Bord Pleanála decides whether to grant planning permission for a new 212-unit housing development just off the C-Link in Mullingar, according to a local councillor.
DSPL Ltd’s plans submitted to An Bord Pleanála on July 4 include details for the construction of 107 houses, 86 duplex units, 19 apartments and a crèche at a 6.3 hectare site in the townland of Rathgowan.
At a special meeting held online on Thursday, county councillors welcomed the development, but expressed concerns on a number of issues.
Cllr Ken Glynn said that he had been contacted by a significant number of residents from the neighbouring estates of Rathgowan Wood and Rathgowan Park.
Stressing that the residents were not opposed to the development, which will be the largest housing development to be built in the town since the Celtic Tiger years, they do have a number of "concerns".
"They asked me to bring forward their concerns – not objections, concerns – that should be taken into account," he said.
The concerns include the potential impact of increased noise levels during and after the construction phase and whether any noise screening would be installed between the proposed development and the neighbouring estates. Residents are also concerned about the increase in traffic that the residents of 212 new units would generate.
Cllr Glynn, who said that a development of this scale has to be welcomed given the current housing crisis, added that some residents have "health and safety concerns" about the level of traffic that the proposed crèche would generate. Vehicle access to the development will be off the R394, via Rathgowan Park.
"Residents do feel that an alternative [entrance] road rather than Rathgowan Park would be preferable in their view."
Cllr Frank McDermott said that he was "happy with the overall thing" and "the sooner it can start, the better".
He had concerns, however, about the sequence in which the four phases of the proposed development are being built.
Cllr Aoife Davitt said that if the development gets the go-ahead from An Bord Pleanála, she would like to see additional pedestrian crossings and other traffic safety measures due to the proximity of two schools.
"Are there additional safety measures needed for schools around there?" she asked
Despite her concerns, Cllr Davitt added that "it’s great to see houses coming and a vacant site being used".
Cllr Denis Leonard said that it is "great to see so much housing when so much is required". The Labour councillor also said that it is important that council consults with the Department of Education as a development of this size will have a major effect on the demand for places at local schools.
Mayor of Mullingar Kinnegad Municipal District, Cllr Hazel Smyth, said that while Mullingar "desperately does need these housing projects to come on board", she said that an issue with the cycle lane has to be addressed.