Council refuse planning permission for Rochfortbridge housing proposal

Westmeath County Council planners turned down an application by a local property company for a 41-house development in Rochfortbridge.

Strongly Ltd of Harbour Terrace, Mullingar, made the application in June. The proposed estate was to consist of 41 two-storey housing units – 36 three-bed semi-detached units and five four-bed detached units. The application covered a new vehicular access point and separate pedestrian and cycle access off the Castlelost Road.

The plans included 56 car parking spaces, 41 of which were to be in the building’s curtilage (with five EV and two accessible parking bays) and 15 visitor (one EV and two accessible) and 22 visitor cycle parking spaces.

The submitted plans included landscaping, boundary treatments, footpaths, a wastewater pumping station and other ancillary works above and below ground.

There were four submissions, three from private individuals and one from Uisce Éireann, on the file. Objectors cited considerations like pressure on local infrastructure, traffic and road safety, pedestrian safety, and residential amenity area. The local authority planning file indicates that the project has been refused permission.