Thumbs up for re-zoning of Armagh Road site

The rezoning of land on which there is planning permission for houses and a school has been recommended.

A submission in respect of 23 hectares at Armagh Road, Dundalk, was made on behalf of Frank and Ronan McArdle, requesting rezoning from Strategic Reserve (L1) to New Residential (A2).

There are permissions for c. 580 residential units, neighbourhood centre, school and crèche on the lands.

‘Development is due to commence in 2021 and the developer is concerned that permissions would expire prior to building out of entire development and important elements such as the school etc. would not be realised,’ the submission stated.

‘Strategic reserve zoning would not facilitate new permissions. Furthermore, the reserved site for the school, crèche and neighbourhood centre remains in place on the zoning map despite the removal of the residential zoning.’

In her response, the Chief Executive noted the subject lands were identified as ‘Residential 2’ in the 2009-2015 Dundalk Plan and were in Phase 3 of the Phasing Strategy for the town, meaning they were a lower priority for development.

‘It is noted, however, that there is an extant permission on these lands that does not expire until 2024.

‘In consideration of this issue it is considered appropriate to reinstate the zoning on these lands to A2 ‘New Residential’.

‘ This zoning will, however, be reviewed as part of the preparation of the Local Area Plan for Dundalk in accordance with the principles of compact growth and sequential development.’

The CEO concluded that part of the lands will be recommended to be zoned A2 ‘New Residential Phase 1’ with the remaining lands A3 ‘ New Residential Phase 2’