Tipperary housing estate finally due to be complete after more than 20 years
Four houses are to be added to a Tipperary housing estate under plans given the go ahead by the local authority.
Limekin Construction Limited applied to Tipperary County Council to demolish two partly-built homes in the Rosehill estate in Newport, and replace them with four new homes.
The two partially built properties were part of the initial development of Rosehill, which saw planning granted for 86 houses and 36 apartments in 2002.
Foundations were built for the two homes, before work on the development was eventually abandoned.
An agent for the developer said that the planned properties would finally finish off the estate, more than 20 years after it was originally built.
"The application lands are amongst the last remaining locations at Rosehill Estate remaining unfinished since the overall project was commenced 22 years ago,” a letter supporting the application said.
However, residents expressed concerns about the development on the site, saying that the site is too small for four homes.
Stephen Ryan, writing on behalf of the residents of Rosehill said that the proposal is inappropriate.
"The site is too small to support an increase from two houses to four. The proposal represents excessive density that is inappropriate for the size, layout, and character of the area,” Mr Ryan said.
Mr Ryan also raised concerns about the drainage in the estate, saying that no planning permission should be granted until these issues are worked out.
"There are known defects within the drainage system serving the area. Until these issues are fully investigated, repaired, and certified as adequate, no additional development should proceed,” he said.
The new homes also wouldn’t provide enough parking for the new residents, would lead to restricted access for emergency services, and would be out of character with the existing houses in the area, Mr Ryan added.
However, Tipperary County Council’s planner didn’t agree, and recommended that planning permission be granted subject to 12 conditions.
"The design, detailing and fenestration of the proposed dwellings would be in keeping with that of existing dwellings in the cul-de-sac,” the council’s planner said.
They also found that four properties on the site would not “give rise to undue impacts on the residential amenity” of the people living in the estate.
Despite the objection, planning permission was granted subject to 12 conditions.
Among the conditions imposed by the council are that all service cables for the houses be routed underground, that a financial contribution of €6,925.40 be paid to the council, and that a bond be paid to ensure the developments are completed.