Further information on planned housing project at Ardbrae Park

Public submissions will soon be sought on revised plans for a new 24-house development beside Ardbrae Park in Athlone.

Westmeath County Council recently received further information on the project from KDM Construction Limited, with revised plans showing the number of houses proposed reduced from 29 to 24.

In response, the council said it deemed the further information received to contain significant additional data, and requested the applicant to publish a public notice outlining the existence of the significant further information or revised plans.

KDM Construction Limited applied for permission in March for the demolition of an existing two-storey detached four-bedroom dwelling, sheds and boundary wall, and the construction of a residential development of 29 houses, including 18 semi-detached three-bedroom houses, five terraced three-bedroom houses, and six terraced two-bedroom houses, each to be served by a private amenity space and two parking spaces, at Ardbrae Park, Monksland.

The site concerned is to the west of the existing houses on Ardbrae Park.

The application also sought permission to upgrade and widen the existing residential entrance to serve the new development, the upgrade of an existing vehicular/pedestrian entrance off Ardbrae Park road to serve the development, new footpaths along the Galway Road/Ardbrae Park road, provision for direct vehicular pedestrian access for four dwellings onto Ardbrae Park Road, an internal access road/footpaths to serve the proposed houses, and all ancillary works.

Ten submissions from local residents were received by Westmeath County Council, which requested further information on 13 points from the applicant on April 30 last. This information was received on September 26 and moved to address concerns raised by the council as well as those raised by residents.

Many of the issues raised by the residents were similar in nature, with concerns regarding increased traffic in the area, overlooking of houses, light pollution with headlights shining into houses at night, the capacity of the sewage system to cope with additional houses as there are already issues with blockages, maintaining the character of Ardbrae Park, a boundary wall for the proposed development, subsidence issues in Ardbrae Park, and the safety of children and vulnerable road/footpath users due to increased traffic in the area.

In relation to road traffic safety, the developer said it had carried out a Stage 1 and 2 Road Safety Audit, and examined pedestrian, cyclist and vehicular safety. It said internal roads are designed to support a maximum speed of 30kh/h. It is proposed to have two access points, which it says will help to evenly distribute traffic and avoid pressure on a single junction.

Addressing the issue of open space, it stated that units 7-10 have now been omitted, as requested by the council, and this area is to be used as open space.

It noted that boundary design was a key concern for residents and said a 2m high brick wall with concrete capping is proposed along the shared boundary with Ardbrae Park. It added that other boundary treatments would ensure robust screening, and said it was open to discussing individual boundary conditions should specific concerns remain.

In response to concerns regarding the existing wastewater network, the applicant said the development cannot progress without a full and formal inspection of the wastewater network as part of the 'Connection Agreement' process with Uisce Éireann.

In relation to the impact on the character of the area, the applicant responded that the houses were predominantly two-storey buildings with brick and nap render finishes, there is a band detail at first-floor windows, and rooflines are running parallel to the road.

"These features are directly informed by the architectural language of Ardbrae Park," the response states.