Council refuses permission for housing development in Tullamore

OFFALY County Council has refused to grant permission to a company seeking to construct 25 residential dwellings at Charleville Road, Ballard, Tullamore.

The application by The McNamara’s Band Partnership headed up by local businessman Tom McNamara sought to demolish two existing bungalows and domestic garages to make way for the proposed scheme which consists of two, three, four and five bedroom bungalows and two storey houses. The development would have a new site entrance, roads, paving, pathways, cycle lanes, parking etc.

The application attracted just one submission, this was in relation to the five bedroom two-storey dwelling. The submission asked that the windows on the first, (side elevation) consisting of a bedroom and ensuite, use obscure or opaque glass. The submission said this was due to the fact they would be overlooking the neighbouring property. 

Offaly County Council refused permission saying the development would not comply with the Settlement Strategy for Offaly and would be 'a material contravention of the Offaly County Development Plan'.

The local authority also stated that the development is located on land zoned 'Strategic Residential Reserve' which means the land may be suitable for development at some time in the future but are not considered for development purposes during the current plan period.