Plans for 99 new Kildare homes axed over drainage fears
Plans for 99 new homes on the Sallins link Road refused by an Coimisiúin Pleanála due to drainage and hedge row removal concerns
Plans to build 99 new homes on the Sallins link Road, Osberstown have been refused by an Coimisiúin Pleanála.
Kildare County Council had expressed fears about “flooding, green infrastructure and substandard layout” and turned down the initial application. The developer behind the proposed development, Neville Homes Limited then appealed the decision to the Coimisiúin, but on July 20, it gave its verdict.
It wants to construct the housing on a 3.24 hectare site on the northwestern side of Sallins town centre. The greenfield site is currently used for grazing and has an agricultural building in the south-eastern corner.
The Coimisiúin said the proposed removal of the natural drainage feature on the site has not been justified. It also expressed concern over the proposed removal of the hedgerow.
“The proposed development has not demonstrated that the removal of the hedgerow is unavoidable and the options to retain the drainage feature as part of the design are considered not to have been exhausted,” it said.
“The development as proposed would be therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area. Having regard to the overall layout and design of the proposed development, including the provision and design of public open space, the excessive length of roadway serving the proposed development, which limits the delivery of residential units on site and the lack of integrated green infrastructure, the proposed design is considered not to maximise the full development potential of the site, nothwithstanding the drainage restrictions on site.”