Newtownstalaban is distinct area - not an estate name
Observation to An Bord Pleanala in relation to the Strategic Housing Development: Newtownstalaban.
CC; Editor, Drogheda Independent.
Dear Secretary,
I wish to make the following observations in relation to Strategic Housing Development: Newtownstalaban, Co. Louth.
1. Should planning permission be given for this SHD, there needs to be a name change as Newtownstalaban is a townland on the outskirts of Drogheda with many residents only using this placename as their address. It will cause great confusion in the future. I propose it’s changed to Baile Nua (Newtown) or Boann Park (due to close proximity to River Boyne).
2. This SHD should not progress until there is full funding and construction of the Port Access Northern Cross Route. Please refer to planning notes for Termon Abbey and Aston Village, Drogheda, as far back as Louth County Council Planning ref: 99973 to conditions for planning permission pertaining to infrastructure of the R166 and PANCR.
3. Road traffic surveys/projections included in the planning application did not take into account future traffic from proposed housing development at the old Bridgeford site, Newfoundwell Road and Phases 2 & 3 of Beaulieu Village, which will add to the volume of traffic going into Drogheda and causing delays at junction near Eurospar/Garvey’s pub and further to the centre of Drogheda. The development has a Priority 1 junction with cars turning left but as I travel that road daily and work in Aston Village ETNS nearby, I anticipate that traffic will actually turn right to avoid traffic jams and take the more dangerous road L2307 to access Drogheda or turn left and at Newtown Cross (another rural road) towards the R132 and M1.
4. There needs to be further traffic calming measures in the estate eg. Chicanes/ raised platforms, as some long straight stretches of road which will encourage speeding. I understand the roads are narrow but that only reduces car speed if two cars are passing each other, not single cars or motorbikes. One of the roads is the length of the adjacent Newtown Blues pitch!
5. Increase Part V housing to 20% to help offset long delays on social housing waiting lists and homelessness which is worse in Drogheda than the rest of the county.
6. Landscaping to be in line with All Ireland Pollinator Plan.
7. “Materials used in construction to be recyclable where possible”- no possible suggestions given as to what materials. This is very vague, should be more precise.
8. The proposed buildings at front of SHD (community centre and creche) don’t blend in with existing landscape. All existing businesses are positioned further back than the proposed building. Is there feasibility study on need for childcare facility with one recently opened in Aston Village (Pugwash Bay – it took over 10 years to occupy the building) and a creche close by on the Newfoundwell Road (Absolute Angels). There may be a detrimental effect on road landscape and anti-social behaviour, if building is left unoccupied and possibly derelict like many shops in Aston Village. Who will be responsible for the management of a new community centre?
9. The planning has potential future connections onto Newtown Road L2307 in Phase 2 – is there possibility that exits at these points will be used as shortcuts before official exits put in place and pose danger to pedestrian safety on rural road? I propose that Lagan Homes should install the footpath/cycle path on the boundary with L2307 during construction instead of leaving 2metres stepback for future paths.
10. There is very little to no possibility of a greenway on the disused railway track as proposed on the plans by Louth County Council. It leads a short distance into the Premier Periclase site. Most of the old railway tracks have been covered by road/ playing fields and would need several level crossings in busy urban areas if Irish Rail ever decided to use them again. I strongly stress that L2307 be upgraded asap including pedestrian/cycle footpath if the SHD gets planning permission. There will be increased vehicular traffic as well as pedestrian and cycle use of this road, to access the running grounds owned by Drogheda & District AC, businesses and services in Boyne Business Park, secondary school, proposed new Gaelic Grounds at Newtown Cross, Drogheda Town Centre and South Quays (to cross the river). With a strong possibility of rezoning of agricultural land in adjacent field and a proposed entrance to that land in the plans, it is a reasonable request to upgrade the L2307 before any planning permission is given.
11. I strongly stress that the planned upgrade of R166 be carried out with proposed pedestrian and cycle routes immediately, regardless of lack of funding for PANCR. CPOs (Part 8) are already in place and plans drawn. This is needed for current residents especially students accessing the primary and post-primary schools nearby, for full participation of all in society due to safe access and for a healthy lifestyle. As recommended in the plans, a visual interpretation of pedestrian/cycleway to be included as none currently available.
12. I strongly recommend that Louth County Council engage with landowners of access road from Link Road to Boyne Business Park immediately to avoid pedestrians using the dangerous rural road L2307. This is very important as HSE Early Intervention Services are housed in the business park and families living within walking distance are having to take taxis. Students from Our Lady’s College, Greenhills, St. Joseph’s Secondary School and local residents often walk this dangerous stretch of road to use the gym located in the park, and especially during these early dark evenings, it is potentially a fatality waiting to happen.
13. A traffic and speed count should be carried out within six months of new pedestrian lights being installed at Beaulieu Village to see if this had led to decrease in speeding violations on R166. If there is not a significant decrease, I propose that the raised tables that were in the plans be installed prior to construction of SHD. There were 3 major RTA from 2005-2015 as per RSA report and numerous minor incidents. All traffic calming measures should be used to prevent any further threat to human life.
14. The 80km speed limit boundary is only 170m from entrance to SHD, I propose this be extended further.
15. I commend the quality of life features through the development i.e. play areas, seating, pavilion, sculpture and cycle paths and parking. There may be some maintenance to fixed structures when the estate is Taken in Charge. Is Louth County Council going to commit to maintaining these and collecting refuse?
16. How will the sculpture work be commissioned and how much will the developer commit to spending on the artwork? Will it have the same principles as the PerCent Art Scheme?
Yours, Councillor Michelle Hall