An Bord Pleanála clears way for 169 Ashford houses
An Bord Pleanála has upheld a decision by Wicklow County Council to grant permission for 169 houses in Ashford.
The inspector involved in the case recommended refusing permission but the Bord rejected his decision, stating ‘it is considered that the proposal would not be injurious to the residential amenities of the area and would be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.’
The initial inspector’s report found the development to be in excess of the development needs of Ashford and would result in the ‘continuance of an unacceptably high dependence on car-based travel to the city.’
The development is planned for a 8.67 hectare site and will consist of 178 houses and a creche.
It includes 18 detached four and five bedroom houses, 140 semi-detached three and four bedroom houses and 20 terraced two and three bedroom houses. It also involves a two-storey creche.
In deciding not to accept the Inspector’s recommendation to refuse permission, the Board had regard to the Ashford town plan and to the settlement strategy contained in the Wicklow County Development Plan and considered that development at the scale proposed was provided for in the development plan.
The board further considered that the design approach taken was appropriate to its location.
Cllr John Snell, Chairman of Wicklow County Council’s Housing SPC, says the new homes, once constructed, should help ease the housing shortage in the area.
‘I welcome any new development. When this development is built it will open up the possibilities for first time buyers and the private rented market.
‘10 per cent will also provide social housing. Ashford is an area that needs development and it is a high area of preference for people on the local authority waiting list.
‘You have good infrastructure such as schools, shops and a community centre. Ashford’s an expanding town and requires further development.’
This is phase one of the project and the surrounding area is zoned for 858 houses.