PLANNING PERMISSION has been granted, subject to a number of stringent conditions, for the construction of a 153-house, four-phase, housing estate off Coolcotts Lane.
The application, by Minetta Ltd., was registered with the planning authority of Wexford Co. Council on April 10, 2015 and was the subject of considerable concern and objection by local residents on Coolcotts Lane.
In total, there were 24 objections to the initial planning submission and three more to the subsequent submission after the council requested more information in a number of areas.
One of the main objections was that of the condition of Coolcotts Lane and the presence of a dangerous bend which residents believe should be addressed urgently. They also point out the lack of footpaths and streetlights along that road, as well as the need for traffic calming.
The bulk of the rest of objections focused on: the boundary treatment; the layout, design and size of the development; water pressure in the area; the fact that local schools are at capacity; issues of privacy and blocking of sunlight; the strain on local services; and the increase in traffic in the area.
In their conclusion, the planning department considered the ‘Home Zones’ design of the estate appropriate and said that an acceptable portion of open space and play areas would be provided. The density was acceptable with each of the four phases being distinguishable and independent. They believe the phasing plan should serve to reduce the impact on local residents.
The report stated: “The Planning Authority acknowledges that the development has caused concern for residents of the area, particularly those on Coolcotts Lane. As a result, the further information requested the applicant to address many of the issues raised in the submissions and the Planning Authority considers that a fair compromise has been achieved.”
It also stated agreement that Coolcotts Lane needed to be upgraded in order to facilitate the development and appropriate road levies had been attached to the permission to finance that.
The report also pointed out: “The perceived lack of social amenities is continually being address by both private and public sector initiatives in the wider Wexford town area and there are public parks in close proximity to the site.”
Planning was granted for the development, subject to 21 conditions. Among those is the standard contribution for roads, in this case a sum of €147,264 to be paid to Wexford Co. Council. The applicant is also required to make a contribution of €84,408 for the provision of or improvement of community facilities. The developer is also required to lodge a security payment of €1,036,000 with the Co. Council.
The rest of the conditions included: provision of social and affordable housing; roads and footpaths completed to council standard; surface water attenuation; open space layout and landscaping to be carried out to council standard; open spaces to remain free of development; public lighting scheme to be completed as per agreed details; construction hours are not to begin for 7 a.m. or exceed 7 p.m. Monday to Friday, and are not to begin before 7 a.m. or exceed 4 p.m. on Saturdays, with no construction allowed on Sundays or Bank Holidays; slates/tiles are to be black, blue-black or grey in colour; inter-site boundary walls must be 1.8 metre high rendered wall of concrete block; and a number of others.
