Planning granted for over 250 new homes in Kerry town

By Alastair Tibbs, The Kerryman

A new large-scale development has been given the green light by Kerry County Council in the heart of Killarney town.

Dipharma Unlimited Company received permission to construct over 250 new homes on Countess Road despite local objections.

The development will consist of 103 two-storey houses, 82 two-storey apartment units and 74 apartment units in three and four storey blocks.

The estate will have a single vehicular entrance on Countess Road via Countess Grove estate, with improvement works to be carried out on the public road to include a raised crossing point.

Ancillary site works include car parking, provision of bicycle parking and bin storage facilities, a creche and two ESB substations.

51 social housing units allocated from the development as part of the Part V Provision and are spread across the site.

Over 60 submissions were received for the application.

Objections to the development centred around the increased traffic along Countess Road and road safety concerns within Countess Grove estate, the removal of hedgerows and ecological impact of the development, and the change in character of in adjoining residential areas.

Technical reports accompanying the submission found there would be no ‘significant’ environmental impacts while the road safety audit presented no major concerns.

The planning approval is subject to 37 conditions, including that one of the units can be used for overnight commercial guest accommodation without being granted separate planning permission.

An area measuring 40 square metres must also be fully archaeologically excavated.