Rivermanor expresses 'frustration and disappointment' in appeal against planning refusal

Only two of ten internal departments in Kildare County Council recommended refusal of the planning application by Rivermanor Developments Ltd for 74 homes adjacent to Riverside Crescent and Bentley's Lane, writes Brian Byrne. Four departments raised no objections, and four requested further information.

That's a key element in the company's appeal to An Coimisiún Pleanála of the council's refusal of permission last November. The council said a proposed underground attenuation tank under public open space would materially contravene the objectives of the Kildare County Development Plan 2003-2029 and the Kilcullen Settlement Plan. The planners also noted a lack of clear pedestrian and cyclist permeability and a lack of high-quality, usable public space. They also criticised the prior clearance of all natural vegetation without any proposal for 'meaningful compensation' for its loss, and a design that does not consider the site's natural character and context, particularly its proximity to the River Liffey.  

In the appeal, lodged on 12 December, the developer notes that the site is effectively an infill site close to the town centre and cites its sloping character as impacting both layout and permeability. The appeal also suggests that the planners had not taken a 'holistic and balanced' approach to the residential zoning objectives of the site, and that the developer is 'significantly frustrated' with the fact that multiple policies and objectives of the County Development Plan were cited in the refusal, without assessment in the Planners Report or internal department reports of why the development contravenes the policies.

The appellant also states they are 'extremely disappointed' that the council refused planning permission in lieu of a request for further information.

The Parks and Ecology departments recommended refusal in the Planners Report. Further information was recommended by the Chief Fire Officer, as well as by Water Services, Housing, and Transportation.

The full appeal is available on the Kildare County Council planning portal, within the planning application file (reference 2561097). The An Coimisiún Pleanála case reference is PL09.500450. There is no date yet for a decision.

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