Brideswell housing gets planning approval
A controversial 20 house development earmarked for Brideswell village which has from the outset attracted local opposition has got the backing of An Bord Pleanála this week, albeit on a slightly reduced scale. The application from Ted and Brid O'Connell, approved by Roscommon County Council last December, covers the demolition of a barn, walls and outbuildings and the construction of 12 houses, a mix of terraced and semi-detached homes, along with outline permission for another eight dwellings on the site. However following this, ten separate parties including Brideswell Residents Association and Brideswell NS Parents Association later appealed the decision to An Bord Pleanála on a variety of grounds ranging from concerns about the design of the houses, the impact on the rural village, the internal road layout and the potential flood risk. The proposed developer appealed two conditions, both of which related to financial contributions. This week, there was a split decision from the planning appeals board which, on the one hand, gave the green light for the 12 houses subject to separate 16 conditions. However, outline planning permission for another eight houses on the site was declined as "excessive in size and scale and would result in suburban style development inappropriate and out of character with the existing village of Brideswell". A previous application some time ago by the same applicants had sought council backing for 48 dwelling units and one commercial unit on the site, but the local authority only granted permission to cover 21 dwellilngs. This verdict was later overturned on appeal to An Bord Pleanála due primarily to the inward looking design and lack of sewerage facilities. But this time around the planning appeals board considered the project would not "detract from the character of the village of Brideswell" subject to compliance with all of the conditions set out. These range from a financial contribution of €72,000 in respect of public infrastructure, another €118,484 to be handed over by the developers towards the cost of a proposed wastewater treatment plant.