Permission is granted for 450 new dwellings
Permission granted for development, despite reservations about McGrath’s Lane
A new 450 home development, situated at Newtown, between the Marsh Road and the Dublin Road, has been given the go-ahead by An Bord Pleanala under a Strategic Housing Development plan.
And it comes despite a series of submissions from local residents who have expressed grave concerns about safety due to the fact that the estate will have pedestrian access onto the narrow McGrath’s Lane.
It leads directly down Railway Terrace and onto the main road, close to the train station, and as a result the residents won’t be able to park outside their homes, instead having to park in driveways or nearby ‘ laneways’.
The Road Safey Audit for the development remarks, ‘Louth County Council have agreed that there should be no on-street parking on Railway Terrace. There is sufficient parking for residents on the surrounding side lane ways. It appears that people using the Train Station may park along this road to avoid parking fees at the station. As outlined above, there will be no vehicular access to the proposed development along Railway Terrace / McGraths Lane. The upgrade works have been designed to improve pedestrian access along this route.
‘Railway Terrace is a minor dead-end street providing access to circa. 30 houses. In this regard, traffic speeds & volumes will be low. The works proposed on Railway Terrace aim to increase pedestrian safety by widening the footpath and limiting traffic flows via a yield system. McGraths Lane improvement works involve prioritising pedestrians and cyclists through the provision of a widened shared surface with upgraded lighting.’
Local residents have said that they are not objecting to the housing development as it is needed, but the impact that it will leave for those who have lived in the area - some for 50 years - should have been addressed in the planning process.
Residents have expressed doubt that the Newtown Bridge, that spans the railway, could possibly accommodate ‘ a pedestrian walkway, a cycle lane and a carriageway for vehicles.’
They also say the movement of traffic on the road has been underestimated as it is used by local residents as well as service vehicles, such as postal services and refuse trucks.
The spot where the development will enter the lane is also used as a ‘ turning circle’ for vehicles, adding to the dangers for added pedestrian usage.
The residents added that street parking on McGrath’s Lane ‘ has been a right of way by necessity’ for some for 50 years, along with visitors.
They concluded that as a result of the neighbouring development, the residents of McGrath’s Lane will be left with ‘no parking facilities’ and a new ‘unprecedented’ volume of road users, such as pedestrians, cyclists, young children, people with buggies, etc.
However, An Bord Pleanala said that the new development met the criteria, in terms of zoning and objectives of the Louth County Development plan.
The main entry into the estate will be via the Marsh Road, while McGrath’s Lane will be for pedestrians/cyclists and it is proposed that it will be widened or footpaths added. Street lighting will also be erected.