Planning duration extended for large Coosan housing project

A five-year extension of planning permission has been granted for one of the largest ever housing developments in Athlone.

Westmeath County Council last week granted the extension to CastleStar (Athlone) Ltd, the company behind the €120m Dún an Rí housing project, which consists of 426 residential units. Planning permission will now be extended until December 10, 2030, to allow for the completion of the development.

CastleStar (Athlone) Ltd was previously granted permission for 426 residential units (237 houses and 189 apartments), a creche, a large central parkland area with a children's playground and a 430-metre distributor road in October 2020, making it one of the largest ever developments in Athlone. The 15.615 hectare site is located in the townlands of Coosan, Clonbrusk and Cornamagh and is adjoined by Buccaneers RFC playing fields to the east and the housing developments of Church Hills Road, Church Hills Crescent, Churchfields to the west.

In seeking an extension to the duration of planning permission, the developer had cited supply chain issues resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia/Ukraine war, delays in the movement of high voltage overhead electricity lines underground at the site, and delays in Uisce Éireann connections due to capacity issues, as reasons for the delay in completing the housing development.

Construction works began on the development in April 2024, and the first private phase, comprising 46 units, has been built and sold. Respond Housing Association Phase 1, comprising 50 units, is under construction with completion expected by October this year.

The contractor has been selected for the second phase of private dwellings, comprising 45 units, with 50% of these sold off the plans. Construction of these is pending Uisce Éireann approvals, which are expected by September this year.

A contractor has also been selected for Respond Housing Association Phase 2, comprising 80 units, and construction will take place pending Uisce Éireann approvals and Housing Finance Agency approvals, which are expected by December this year.

In its supporting documents to the council, CastleStar outlined that by February 4 next year, some 221 units (over 51.8%) will either be completed or under construction. The extensive landscaped parkland, to include a children's playground, has been installed and is largely complete. The developer outlined that this is a central component of the entire plan.

The road base infrastructure for phases 2, 3 and 4 are installed. Works on rerouting ESB infrastructure are due to be completed in the third quarter of this year and key Uisce Éireann connections for phases 2, 3 and 4 are scheduled for the third quarter also.

While the developer has identified several creche operators who are interested in leasing the creche, it is expected that the facility will not open until September 2027 at the earliest.

Westmeath County Council granted the planning extension on August 5. Provided there are no appeals against the decision to An Bord Pleanála, a final grant of permission will be made after four weeks plus three working days from that date.