Riverside Manor objections

Residents of Riverside Manor have lodged objections to an application for full planning permission on an undeveloped area beside the existing development, on the grounds that it involves an 'unacceptable' increase in density.

The objections from at least four households also notes that the new application by Brendan O'Connell changes the boundaries from a previous permission to include what was previously designated as 'public linear space' along the River Liffey.

The objections note that a number of houses on that part of the 34-home Riverside Manor development will lose three green spaces in front of their houses by the proposed provision of a two metre wall.

The objectors make it clear that the undeveloped area needs to be developed, but ask why this cannot be done as detailed in the original planning permission granted in 2000, 'now that all legal impediments' relating to it have been resolved?

The submissions note that the number of units proposed for the undeveloped portion of the land has increased by almost 50 percent compared to the original permission. But at the same time the actual land being used for the housing has reduced from an original 23 acres to 17.6 acres.

"This is a double increase in density," the submittors note. "How can this be acceptable for an infill development?"

The submissions say the proposed development will adversely affect the existing Riverside Manor by increasing traffic in and out of the estate, causing 'unnecessary traffic jams'.

They also say that despite the fact of the current entrance to Riverside Manor being under review by Kildare County Council for six years, no changes have been indicated in the latest Draft Development Plan, and the additional density will 'propose a serious health and safety risk' in conjuction with the new Market Square development, continued illegal double parking, lack of footpaths and a 'hazardous blind spot' adjacent to the 'Fire Stop' premises.

The submissions also detail the 'unacceptable' proposal of new blocks of apartment buildings on a green area, an 'invasion of privacy and loss of existing light' to some current residences, and what is seen as an inadequacy of car parking which will mean vehicles being parked on the roadway and causing difficulties for emergency services.

Brian Byrne