Latest news with #WicklowCountyDevelopmentPlan
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Irish Independent
Appeal over refusal of 58 Wicklow homes is rejected
The appeal was submitted by Ronan O'Caoimh and applied to lands at Ashtown Lane, Hawkestown Lower, including existing dwellings, Elbren Cottage, Ashtown Lane, and Redkite Rest. The 58 single and two storey homes were due be a mix of two, three and four bedroom houses, including bungalows, terraced and semi-detached dwellings. The planning application also involved the proposed removal of the existing dwelling, Elbren Cottage, and the semi-detached single storey garage structure located on the site. The appeal was submitted after Wicklow County Council refused the application in February, having considered the site's peripheral location, which would result in the proposed development being primarily car dependent, the existing undeveloped lands closer to the centre of Wicklow town, and the scale of the proposed development. The approved plans of the local authority to upgrade Rocky Road, the L1099, as an improved access to/from the M11 to Wicklow town was also noted by the planning section, and the lack of any plans to deal with potential traffic increases on Ashtown Lane, the L5100. An Bord Pleanála paid regard to the objectives of the Wicklow County Development Plan 2022-2028 before making their decision to reject the appeal. It is considered that the design and layout of the proposed development does not respond favourably to the topography of the proposed development site in this location and would cause a poor contextual elevation of the proposed development from Ashtown Lane, which would result in the rear of dwellings being visible from the public road. It was also ruled that the proposed development would adversely impact on the visual amenities of the area and would not, therefore, strengthen the character of the area or provide a coherent and legible urban structure. It was also felt that, notwithstanding the relatively short vehicle access route to Junction 18 of the M11 motorway, the proposed development would be premature pending the provision of road improvements to the local road network that would provide ease of movement and avoid conflict between pedestrians/cyclists and traffic, and would therefore constitute a traffic hazard.
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
First new local area plan for Blessington in a decade is voted in
The plan for the west Wicklow town and surrounding area is the first to be adopted in over a decade, with the previous plan in place for six years between 2013 and 2019. During a meeting of Wicklow County Council on Monday, members considered 37 amendments to the proposed plan that will provide a framework to support the future development of the area up until 2031. During the council session, councillors also reviewed a myriad of reports that have been carried out ahead of the plan's implementation, looking specifically on how it will affect local communities in the wider west Wicklow region. Speaking during the meeting, independent councillor John Snell stressed the need for better transport links and called for a committee to be set up to review the issue. 'We were given reassurances on our own local area plan for Wicklow-Rathnew that a committee would be set up straight away and that plan has passed and there's still no sign of a committee being put committees need to be up and running now and not wait until the lifetime of this council is gone.' In response director of services Brian Gleeson said a group has met on a couple of occasions to look at that proposal of setting up these committees. 'We have gotten support from the National Transport Authority to proceed with that. So, a brief is being drafted up to go to tender under an NTA framework. That is currently being progressed.' Meanwhile on the issue of land zoning, independent councillor Gerry O' Neill raised concern about the area earmarked for the building of a new graveyard and called for planners to look at other sites. 'We have the main graveyard at Burgage and a proposal was made to extend it to the far side of the road, and the suggestion to remove that, this is where I am objecting to. 'We're down to about 30, 35 spaces in the existing graveyard. So I understand what the planners are saying here and I accept their view, but I believe an alternative site needs to be found.' ADVERTISEMENT Having considered the 37 amendments, councillors adopted the plan with minor adjustments. Following the vote Fianna Fáil councillor Patsy Glennon thanked the planning team and his colleagues in the chamber for supporting the plan. 'It will give a new lease of life to Blessington over the coming years and hopefully we will get much needed sports facilities, graveyards, all the things that are essential for a community to be vibrant and looking forward to the future with an increased population.' The elected members also voted to amend certain planning policies in the Wicklow County Development Plan 2022 – 2028 that will make it possible for the new plan in Blessington to be implemented. At the conclusion of the meeting director of services Michael Nicholson thanked the planning staff for their 'trojan work.' 'This is the second plan they have gone through having done Wicklow earlier in the year. To do one is a huge task, to do two in quick succession is no joke. 'I thank all 32 councillors for their cooperation, and particularly the members from Baltinglass. I think you all worked very, very well and I think it is a great result.' Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
Irish Independent
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Demolition of 164-year-old Wicklow building begins with amusement arcade on the way
While planning was approved last year, demolition works only began this week and the reaction locally has been mixed – with some bemoaning the loss of what was a fine piece of architecture, and others just relieved that the building, which had become a dilapidated eyesore, was finally being replaced with something. That something will be a two-storey children's amusement arcade, with the plans approved by An Bord Pleanála (ABP), in February of 2024. It followed appeals by residents over the loss of 'an intrinsic element of the iconic image of Bray Seafront', as well as being heavily criticised by former Wicklow Green Party TD Steven Matthews and Green Party councillor for Bray East, Erika Doyle. The building, at 1 Marlborough Terrace, Strand Road, was last home to the popular Campo De Fiori Italian restaurant, which closed in 2019 following the decision of its owners, Laura Chiavini and Marco Roccasalvo, to return home to Sardinia. Permission was then sought in March 2022 for the building to be demolished and replaced with an arcade by Bentley Leisure Limited. In October, 2022, Wicklow County Council (WCC) granted permission for the work to go ahead at Marlborough Terrace, subject to conditions, resulting in appeals by local residents, who expressed their 'surprise' at the approval, and argued that WCC's decision was another in a line of recent WCC decisions that allowed a Victorian building to be demolished (referencing St Paul's Lodge, on Herbert Road to make way for a car park, in 2018, and the removal of the iconic railings along Strand Road in 2013 and 2016). Following an appeal, An Bord Pleanala referred to the objectives of the Wicklow County Development Plan 2022-2028 and the Bray Municipal District Local Area Plan 2018-2024, including those for the seafront, which state it 'shall be promoted as the primary tourist, recreational and leisure centre of Bray'. In arising at their decision, the inspector said a children's arcade is a compatible use with this objective and is one that 'can contribute to and complement the mix of uses in the area'. And It should be noted that the planning approval is for a children's amusement arcade, and not a casino or gambling arcade. Following the approval last year, Cllr Doyle expressed her concerns for children's amusements, when she remarked: 'It will be interesting to see if this is simply fun rides and activities, or machines that require coins to be pumped in over and over again with the distant lure of a 'win'. I believe these plant the seeds of an attraction to gambling. Years ago, arcades had waltzers and slides and water spray games etc – where you got some fun for your money – increasingly, they are about mindlessly spending money.' Mr Matthews said it was 'an extremely disappointing decision by An Bord Pleanala', as 'not only have the Bord allowed another amusement outlet but unbelievably they are allowing a good structure to be demolished.' However, taking to social media this week, Bray residents were mixed in their views of the development, with some saying that the building was in 'appalling condition' and grateful that 'at least something is being done'. Another called it 'a blessing' and was too grateful that the owners were 'spending their money on this eyesore', adding that 'the building was dangerous' and an 'indoor children's play area [is] badly needed and will flourish'. Regarding its use as a children's arcade, the owners in their application that the proposals 'aim to invest in the area through replacing a disused and substandard building with a modern and adaptable structure that will ensure active uses will be maintained along the seafront.'
