Westmeath County Council planners approve125 home Kinnegad development
Westmeath County Council planners have given the go ahead for a 125 home development in Kinnegad. The application by Lynx Developments Ltd, c/o Kiaran O’Malley and Co Ltd, of Blackrock in Dublin, was granted permission subject to 24 conditions.
Located on a 3.87-hectare site off the Killucan Road the 125 residential unit estate will include 103 houses – a mix of two, three, and four-bedroom terraced, semi-detached, and detached homes – and 22 two-bedroom apartments distributed across 11 two-storey blocks.
A single-storey childcare facility of 303 sqm is also part of the approved plans. The scheme will have 215 car parking spaces, including EV charging points and accessible bays, and secure bicycle parking.
The development includes the demolition of previous road and service infrastructure from an earlier permission, to make way for new roads, footpaths, open spaces, and solar PV panels on every unit. There are 22 submissions on the file from private individuals, while Irish Water also made a submission.
Among the concerns of local residents was the potential for property devaluation in the Manorfield Estate, the safety of residents, particularly children and elderly individuals, due to higher traffic frequency and the potential for disruption during the construction phase.
In a submission, Cllr Denis Leonard said he shared the concerns of residents of Manorfield estate and others “about any proposed walkway, cycleway or emergency vehicle access through the estate”.
Deputy Robert Troy also made a submission, in which he stated: “Kinnegad requires a childcare service bigger than what is proposed for 100+ places to support a mixed Full Day Care, built in line with the Universal Design Guidelines for Early Learning Care facilities.”
In the Managers Order the local authority outlined the reasons for approving the plans stating the development is “in accordance with the proper planning and development of the area”.
Among the 24 conditions attached the planners require a minimum of 10% of all car parking spaces shall be provided with functioning electric vehicle charging stations. Other conditions cover landscaping, ecology, water and wastewater treatment.
The local authority states that the provision of social and affordable housing must be part of the development in the interests of the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
The final conditions are that the developer lodge a cash deposit or a bond of an Insurance Company or other agreed security, to a value of €750,000 with Westmeath County Council and make a development contribution prior to the commencement of development of €416,430.88.
The planners reached the decision on September 25 last.