Hill Street Bridge is going nowhere
Plans for a new mixed use development on Connolly’s Field at the junction of Hill Street and the Avenue Road don’t include the removal of Hill Street Bridge and Tesco won’t have to pay a contribution towards taking away the old railway bridge as they are not developing the site.
This blow to Louth County Council’s desire to see the bridge demolished emerged as councillors were told that the planning permission which would have required Tesco paying a contribution toward the removal of the bridge has now expired.
It had been envisaged that the bridge would be removed if Tesco had moved to the second phase of the development of the former Dundalk Shopping Centre site. However, that planning permission has expired and this current development, which is being undertaken by Sprucetree Developments Ltd, doesn’t require the removal of the bridge.
Senior Executive Planner Emer O’Callaghan outlined how application had been lodged with An Bord Pleanala as it is falls under the legislation for Strategic Housing Development.
A major development is planned for Connolly’s Field, but Hill Street Bridge is here to stay.
The proposal is for 114 apartments, two retail units, a medical centre and office and the FOLD housing association will be involved in the provision of the apartments for people over 55 years of age.
A part five application will be required in regard to the social housing element which is being provided by FOLD housing association which has a track record for providing accommodation for people over 55 years of age. She explained that the closing date for submissions is February 3 and assured councillors that the Council will treat this as a normal planning permission when preparing reports but that the final decision is made by An Bord Pleanala.
Cllr Maria Doyle voiced concerns as to how the proposed development would impact on the scheme to allievate flooding
at nearby Balmars’s Bog, for which the council has received funding. These concerns were shared by a number of other councillors.
Ms O’Callaghan told them that the issue relating to flooding was discussed at the pre-planning meetings and a flood risk assessment will have to form part of the planning application.
Councillors also recalled the imposition of a planning condition which required Tesco to pay a contribution towards the removal of the bridge.
However, Ms O’Callaghan said that the first phase of the development was for the building of the Tesco Extra store which didn’t require the removal of the bridge. The company didn’t proceed with the second phase and the planning permission had expired.
She agreed with Cllr Marianne Butler that the local authority had no money for the removal of the bridge.
Director of Service Mr Frank Pentony added that the council had received €1million in development levies in relation to the new store.
Cllr Tomas Sharkey said the bridge needs to go and this development might be the only way to see it gone. There was no need for it and it is affecting traffic and pedestrians and would make it difficult for the people that the development is catering for to walk into town.
Senior Executive Housing Officer Ms Aoife Lawler told the meeting that FOLD is very active in Northern Ireland and Dublin and the Council is very interested in bringing them to Louth as there is a huge demand for housing for older people.