Decision due on 74 home Charlestown development
Westmeath County Council are set to make a decision on a new 74-home residential development at Charlestown on the western outskirts of Mullingar.
Last November, Lacken Ventures Ltd lodged an application for the demolition of an existing 169 square metre residential dwelling and its replacement with a new housing scheme comprising 58 two-storey houses and 16 three-storey duplex units.
The Meath based construction firm’s plans are for a proposed housing estate including 43 three-bedroom and 15 four-bedroom homes, while the duplex element would provide six one-bedroom and 10 two-bedroom units.
The development would also include communal facilities for residents of the duplex units, including amenity space, secure bicycle parking and bin storage.
More than 140 car parking spaces are proposed across the development. Those include 104 spaces serving 52 homes, 32 grouped parking spaces and six visitor spaces serving a further 22 dwellings, along with two accessible parking spaces.
New vehicular, pedestrian and cyclist access would be provided from the existing R-390.
The plans also include connections towards the eastern and western boundaries of the site, with the intention of facilitating future links to adjoining lands.
A significant element of the proposal is the provision of pedestrian and cycling pathways towards the southern boundary of the site, which would allow for a future connection to the Royal Canal towpath.
The proposed scheme would provide 3,828 square metres of public open space, 17.1 per cent of the site. That would be concentrated in the central and southern sections and include landscaped areas, children’s play facilities, footpaths, pathways and boundary treatments.
Public lighting, bin storage, bicycle and car parking and other site services would also be incorporated.
The application includes proposals for surface water and foul drainage infrastructure, together with Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) measures and associated site works.
A Natura Impact Statement has been submitted with the planning application to assess the potential impact of the development on protected European sites. The development address is listed as Charlestown, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, N91 VY07.
Lacken Ventures Ltd is an Irish-registered company with connections in neighbouring County Meath.
If approved, the scheme would represent a substantial addition to the housing stock on the western side of Mullingar, while also providing future opportunities for pedestrian and cycling links towards the Royal Canal.