Mullingar apartment block plans appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanála

A planning application refused by Westmeath County Council for 38 residential units at Glenmore Wood, Dublin Road, Mullingar has been appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanála.

Andrews Construction sought permission in September for a site covering a site of around one and half acres for “a modern residential scheme” comprising five three-storey apartment blocks.

They proposed that each block would have a ground-floor two-bedroom apartment with a three-bedroom duplex unit above. In total, the development was to include 19 two-bed apartments and 19 three-bed duplexes. The layout centres around a landscaped open space, with the buildings arranged to create a courtyard-style setting.

The plans also included 38 car parking spaces, alongside integrated bicycle parking, bin storage facilities, and communal and private outdoor areas.

Westmeath County Council planners declined the application on four grounds. They said the proposed development provided a density “contrary to the density range requirements set out in the Sustainable and Compact Settlements Guidelines for Planning Authorities, 2024”.

The planners said the development would result in “a visually incongruous, discordant, and overbearing development” that would detract from the character of the surrounding urban landscape.

The planners assessment determined that the block would receive minimal direct sunlight throughout the day and its proximity to the Dublin Road and Glenmore Estate Road would expose it to “significant noise and air pollution”.

The final reasons for the decision were that the development posed “a serious risk to traffic safety and would endanger public safety” and the lack of engagement with Irish Water could be “prejudicial to public health”.

There were a total of 18 submissions on the planning file. Many were from residents of the existing estate who objected to the density and character of proposed development saying it was “not in keeping with the area”.

Other reasons for objecting included increased strain on utilities and infrastructure, traffic, road safety and parking. The submissions said the apartment blocks would have a negative social and community impact, and have pointed to the lack of green spaces.

The local authority planning file indicated that An Coimisiún Pleanála has advised that an appeal has been received in relation to the planning application on October 13, 2025.