Application for massive housing development outside on outskirts of Tullamore still active at An Bord Pleanala

A proposal for a massive housing development on the outskirts of Tullamore which was due to be decided on last year, is still active and under consideration by An Bord Pleanala.

Steinfort Investments Fund is seeking to build 349 dwellings, comprising houses and apartments, shops, a neighbourhood centre, creche, parks and squares at Clonminch and Gayfield Tullamore.

The company applied through the strategic infrastructure process which allows proposals for large scale developments to bypass the local authority and go straight to the Board.

Steinfort Investments Fund first applied for permission to build in August 2020 but An Bord Pleanala refused to grant permission describing the design as ''substandard in terms of its horizontal alignment'' and said it ''fails to have adequate regard to its strategic function and to the provisions of the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets in relation to such routes.''

The Board said ''the proposed development would therefore result in an unsatisfactory standard of development and would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.''

However, the Board later said the development warranted a second look and a new application was submitted. This was deemed invalid with issues around the furnishing of plans, drawings and other particulars blamed. A third application was then made by Steinfort Investments Fund. This latest application was due to be decided by February 18, 2022.

A spokesperson at An Bord Pleanala said there is a backlog of applications and appeals at the Board. He said applications go through an inspection phase then onto the Board to make the final decision. The Steinfort application is currently before the Board but he was unable to give a decision date

60 submissions from members of the public including residents of Clonminch Wood and Limefield Estate objected to the first application.

The plan includes a two-storey neighbourhood centre and employment floor space. This building is ''designed to cater for neighbourhood uses like cafes, local shops and a post office or hairdresser at ground floor level.'' The neighbourhood centre will open up onto a ''civic plaza'' and ''St. Columba’s Green,'' which would be one of the main public parks in the development.

The creche will be a separate two storey building with outdoor play area and set down parking area.

The proposed buildings on the site would range between 2 – 5 storeys in height and all buildings have provision for photovoltaic/solar panels.

666 car parking spaces, and 249 bicycle spaces would be provided. In addition electric vehicle charging points would be available along with an indoor storage room for bicycles.