Brideswell house plan sparks row

Published: Wed 10 Feb 2010, 5:15 PM

The controversial 20-unit housing development in Brideswell which was granted outline permission by Roscommon County Council is now before An Bord Pleanala. Roscommon County Council granted full permission for twelve homes, five three-bed terraced, four three-bed semi-detached, and three two-bed single storey terraced units, and outline permission for another four two-bed terraced and four three-bed semi-detached units on December 22, subject to 25 separate planning conditions. A total of 11 submissions, including from Brideswell Residents and Brideswell NS Parents Association have been submitted to An Bord Pleanala. The three-acre site is owned by the applicants, Ted and Brid O'Connell, and currently contains a barn, walls and outbuildings. The majority of submissions object to the development, stating that it would ruin the character of Brideswell as a rural village and also that the current wastewater treatment plant did not have the capacity to cope with eight to 12 houses. Objectors say the density and design of the development is not in keeping with the houses currently in the rural village. They object to its proximately to the local school, the fact that the school is at full capacity and cannot cater for extra pupils and also have concerns about sewage and water facilities. A petition with around 200 signatories was submitted to Roscommon County Council during the initial planning stage. The applicants initially lodged the application with Roscommon County Council in April last. They say their proposals will contribute to the vitality of the village. An Bord Pleanala is due to make a decision on or before May 31. An Bord Pleanala previously refused an earlier application for the same lands. The applicants' agents said the previous planning board report had indicated no significant concerns about the principle of building on the site, close to the centre of the village. It said An Bord Pleanala's main concerns previously related to the design and orientation of the housing on the site.