Permission granted for 34 residential units in Bellaghy despite local objections

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

Sligo County Council have confirmed planning permission has been granted to RCEH Trust for the development of 34 residential units in Bellaghy.

The development will consist of 18 dwellings which will consist of eight, two-storey semi-detached four beds; four, two-storey semi-detached three beds and three, one-storey bungalows with two bedrooms.

It will also feature 16 duplex units consisting of two, one-bed simplex units; six two-bed simplex units; six, three-bed units and two, two-bed duplex units.

The successful application also gives the greenlight for the provision of new vehicular and pedestrian access to the site from the adjoining Knoxville Manor estate as well as a new pedestrian access to the site from Main Street. The provision of car and bicycle parking, public open space, private open space, site landscaping, public lighting, bin stores and site services as well as all ancillary and associated site and development works has also been granted as part of the planning application.

Objections were lodged in relation to the development by residents who live in close proximity, business owners and Charlestown Athletic FC.

A resident of nearby Knoxville Manor described the development in his objection to Sligo County Council as a “Gross overdevelopment of a constrained site,” adding, “Twenty dwellings will be overlooking into the side and rear of my house.”

A local business owner also expressed her objection to the development saying in her written submission, “The current infrastructure is not equipped to handle such an increase in traffic, which could lead to dangerous conditions for pedestrians and drivers alike.

"This development will lead to absolute carnage under the arch of the Willowbrook Centre.”

A submission from Charlestown Athletic highlighted the risk of flooding with the correspondence noting the club’s management committee are “Deply concerned with the impact the impact the proposed development will have on our club grounds at Bellaghy Park due to the real possibility of additional flood events and/or exacerbating flood risks.”