Major plans lodged for Shingaun
AN apparent boom in housing construction in Enniscorthy shows no sign of abating, with yet another planning application for a major housing development being lodged for Shingaun. The application was lodged by MosArt Architects on behalf of Enniscorthy firm Adamar Developments Ltd, headed up by Dan and Mary Morrissey and consists of a total of 96 dwellings, along with a new stretch of road that will link in at the new Centra petrol station on the Milehouse Road.
Contained within the application are plans for two, three and four bedroom houses along with two three-storey apartment blocks containing 18 and 15 apartments respectively. There are also plans for a three storey duplex block along with a crèche, a three-storey building containing 20 office units and 12 ground floor retail units. The application also allows for a new road and pedestrian access into the existing petrol station, connection with the local mains services and various other ancillary works.
A separate planning application had been lodged earlier this month by Adamar Developments seeking permission for the construction of a new 1.4km road from the Still connecting with the R701 at Shingaun and a landscaped park of approximately 2.1 hectares. Local councillor John O’Rourke welcomed the construction of housing for Enniscorthy, but expressed concerns for congestion in the area.
‘Obviously from a housing point of view it’s welcome,’ he said. ‘Hopefully the development will provide a much needed opportunity for first time buyers to get a foot on the property ladder. At the same time though, the construction of a development of this scale, should it get planning permission, will make that area of town, which contains schools etc, even more congested. I would hope they’ll look seriously at safety aspects for motorists and pedestrians in the area.’
Cllr Paddy Kavanagh also echoed concerns about the location. ‘I’m not anti-development in any way,’ he said. ‘But I would question the wisdom of putting all these developments on the one side of town. The planned relief road going from the Still to Shingaun would certainly be a help, but I think the planners need to sit down and do some planning. You’d have to question why all the schools are on the east side of town and all the houses are on the west side. I do think that the development is a good thing. Enniscorthy needs a boost. I just think the planners need to start looking at these things from a number of angles.’