Glenmore Wood and town centre plans turned down

An application to build 38 homes at Glenmore Wood, on the Dublin Road out of Mullingar, has been turned down by Westmeath County Council.

Submitted on July 23 by James Andrews Construction, the application was for five three-storey blocks containing a total of 19 two-bed ground-floor apartments, with 19 three-bed duplex apartments above.

The decision to refuse permission was based on four grounds. The first related to the density of the development, which was considered out of line with the policies contained in the Mullingar Local Area Plan, to an extent that could depreciate the value of property in the vicinity, and therefore contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

Planners also ruled that, given the predominantly north- and east-facing orientation and the limited depth of the private amenity spaces associated with the proposed apartments, these areas would receive minimal direct sunlight throughout the day. Their proximity to the Dublin Road and Glenmore Estate Road would also expose them to significant noise and air pollution.

A further ground for refusal related to traffic hazard, and the fourth ground concerned the public mains water supply and the drainage and wastewater systems.

Town centre

Also refused permission was an application to carry out alterations to 3–5 Oliver Plunkett Street and Blackhall Street, Mullingar, submitted by PJS Properties Ltd. The buildings are home to the Oxfam shop (3 Oliver Plunkett Street) and the Swarbriggs Shoe Outlet (5 Oliver Plunkett Street).

The application sought to convert the rear of a retail unit to an apartment, replace the existing five apartments at first level with four apartments, and provide two apartments at second-floor level to replace the existing three.