Plans approved for 93-home Saunders Bridge development
Westmeath County Council has granted planning permission for a major new residential development on the Ardmore Road in Mullingar, paving the way for the construction of 93 homes and a childcare facility at Saunders Bridge.
The application was submitted by Tiberville Ltd for the 4.48-hectare (approximately 11-acre) site at Ballinderry townland. The council issued its decision to grant permission on July 8, 2026, subject to 24 planning conditions. A final grant of permission will issue if no appeal is lodged with An Coimisiún Pleanála within the statutory appeal period.
The approved scheme will comprise 81 two-storey houses and a block containing 12 two-bedroom apartments. The housing mix includes five three-bedroom mid-terrace homes, 54 three-bedroom semi-detached houses and 22 four-bedroom semi-detached properties.
A purpose-built crèche of approximately 242 square metres also forms part of the development, alongside extensive transport and public realm infrastructure.
Plans include the creation of three vehicular access points from the existing residential access road, a network of internal roads, an active travel route, 184 car parking spaces and 220 cycle parking spaces. The development will also feature landscaped open spaces, footpaths, boundary treatments, an ESB substation and all associated site works above and below ground.
In its decision, Westmeath County Council said the proposal is in accordance with the Westmeath County Development Plan 2021–2027 and the Mullingar Settlement Area Plan, subject to compliance with the attached conditions.
Among the conditions is a requirement that the developer enter into an agreement restricting the first occupation of the homes to individual purchasers or those eligible for social, affordable or cost-rental housing.
The council has also required a Part V agreement for the delivery of social and affordable housing.
Environmental and sustainability measures feature prominently in the conditions. At least 10 per cent of communal parking spaces must be fitted with electric vehicle charging points, while ducting must be provided to facilitate future chargers for all remaining communal spaces. All houses must also be capable of accommodating EV charging.
The developer must also revise elements of the landscaping proposals, including the removal of a planned amphitheatre feature, protect existing trees and habitats, monitor archaeological works and implement ecological mitigation measures throughout construction.
Before development can begin, Tiberville Ltd must lodge a development bond of €558,000 with the local authority and pay more than €401,000 in development contributions. This includes a standard Section 48 contribution of €308,033.26 and a special contribution of €93,000 towards pedestrian and cycling infrastructure serving the area.
Construction may not commence until a final grant of planning permission has been issued following the expiry of the appeal period or, if appealed, following a decision by An Coimisiún Pleanála.