Plans for 60 homes in Tipperary appealed over traffic concerns
Plans for 60 homes in Thurles have been appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanála.
Tipperary County Council granted permission to O'Ceallaigh Westfield Ltd for the 60 home development on the Brittas Road, which would see five four-bedroom, 27 three-bedroom, and 12 one-bedroom houses built.
They also sought permission for the construction of two duplex blocks, with eight duplex units – four one-bedrooms and four two-bedrooms.
Alongside the housing, the plans also include a creche with space for 47 children.
Now, Dermot Ryan has appealed the granting of permission to the planning appeals board on behalf of the Marlstone Manor Residents Association.
In a letter to An Coimisiún Pleanála (ACP), Mr Ryan said that the development would raise concerns about traffic flow on the Brittas Road.
"We feel that the proposed sightlines, which appear to have been assessed in accordance with DMURS (the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets) standards is not necessarily the correct application for this particular site,” the appeal letter said.
The proposed entrance to the estate is on the N62 road, which links Thurles and Templemore, is “a particularly busy corridor with agricultural, heavy goods and significant levels of commuter traffic,” the appeal added.
"We feel that in the interest of traffic safety on the national primary route, a significant redesign of the proposed entrance must be considered to allow for safe turning lanes, and increased visibility distance,” the residents association said.
The residents also raised concerns about the potential for a “haphazard approach” of building works given that the 60 house development is the first phase of development at the site.
Tipperary County Council also granted permission for 52 further homes on the site as part of a second phase of works.
However, the Marlstone Manor Residents Association said that there “is no agreement of a phasing of the development”.
"This has the potential to allow for a haphazard approach to dwelling completions which would be driven solely by sales demand.
"A partially completed development in such a haphazard way will not set a desirable precedent,” they added.
Despite their appeal of the development, the neighbouring residents say that they are aware of a significant need for housing, both locally and nationally.
An Coimisiún Pleanála are due to make a decision on the case by January 20, 2026.