Appeal against plans for 25 Killarney houses

TOWNHOUSES PLANNED ON FORMER DAWN DAIRIES SITE

AN BORD Pleanála will decide by May whether or not to overturn planning permission for 25 town-houses on a former dairies site in Killarney.

Killark Residential Limited applied last January to demolish industrial buildings and build 25 two-story town-houses on the former Dawn Dairies site in Kilcoolaght, which was an industrial hub for over 50 years.

The proposed development consists of 10 two-bedroom units; 14 three-bedroom units; and one four-bedroom unit, as well as landscaping and ancillary works.

The planning application to Kerry County Council was subject to three objections.

Patrick and Mary Carmody, Rathmore House, Rock Road, Killarney, raised concerns about the proximity of some of the proposed town-houses to their property.

They said the size of the site was insufficient for such a development; that there wasn’t sufficient parking space in the proposal; and also outlined other concerns.

Padraig O’Connor, 59 Marian Terrace, Killarney, said the development would increase traffic flow, and he also criticised what he felt was a lack of parking spaces.

Anne Kelliher, Camillia House, Rock Road, raised concerns about the impact she feels the development would have on the privacy of her house.

She also criticised what she felt was a lack of parking for the development.

She also felt the lane-way was too narrow, and she criticised its lack of a footpath.

Deputy Danny Healy-Rae wrote to Kerry County Council on behalf of the contractors and asked that “as much consideration as possible be given to this application”.

In the planner’s report, the assessment described the proposal as a “well-considered and well laid out development”.

“This medium density development is in keeping with the general character of the area and will provide family homes on a brown field site that is zoned as New/Proposed Residential in the current Killarney Town Development Plan,” the planner’s report added.

In December 2019, Kerry County Council granted permission for the development, subject to 40 conditions.

An appeal was lodged with An Bord Pleanála earlier this month.

Pat and Mary Carmody; and Anne Kelliher are listed as active appellants against the local-authority decision.

The case is due to be decided by May 19.