Influx of new apartments in New Ross will result in loss of 150 town centre parking spaces
Wexford PeopleA projected influx of new apartments in New Ross town centre will result in the loss of over 150 parking spaces according to independent councillor Michael Sheehan.
Speaking at the September meeting of the New Ross Municipal District (NRMD) Councillor Sheehan said that while the new accommodation was needed, developers were not required to provide parking for town centre apartments.
“We have planning applications coming for up to 180 apartments,” he said. “Under the County Development Plan (CDP) the developers do not need to provide any parking with those units. We’re going to lose at least 150 parking spaces in the town when these apartments are built.
“There is capacity on the street, but not that much. How can we change the CDP to take back control of this and ensure that town centre developments have to provide parking for residents?”
While Cathaoirleach John Fleming suggested an underground car park could be the way to go, Cllr Marty Murphy questioned the wisdom of those who had approved the CDP in 2022.
“Who passed the development plan?” he asked. “We have solar farms being approved all over the place too.”
The CDP was passed by sitting councillors in 2022, before Cllr Murphy’s time. And Cllr Sheehan was quick to assume responsibility for the apparent mistakes of the past.
“We passed it. But that was in 2022. The economy was flat on its back. Now we’re at the end of that CDP and things have come full circle,” he said.
However, Cllr Fleming argued that this wasn’t a failing of the CDP and that, ultimately, people “have a choice of living in an apartment in the centre of town or having a space for a car”.
Planning officer Abbey Nuzum then advised councillors that the CDP is “due for review” next year, at which point they could alter legislation regarding town centre developments.
And while Cllr Fleming had proposed going underground to provide parking, Cllr John Dwyer wished to go in the opposite direction.
“Has it ever been proposed that Wexford County Council would look at a multi-storey car park at the top of Barrack Lane?” he asked. “That would solve all our problems.”
“Not in New Ross,” replied director of services Eamonn Hore.
“They’re fairly simple to build,” said Cllr Dwyer. “There is a flat site up there.”