March decision on initial step for Lissywollen housing plan

A decision by An Bord Pleanála on whether the proposed developers of a 547-unit housing project for Athlone can submit a full planning application for the development is due in early March.

The proposed developers, Alanna Roadbridge Developments Ltd, in October, formally entered a new fast-track planning process, which allows planning applications for major housing projects (Strategic Housing Developments (SHDs)) to be submitted directly to An Bord Pleanála.
The proposed application is for 547 units, comprising 279 houses and 268 apartments, two creches, and associated site works at Lissywollen, Athlone
It’s expected that, in total, 70% of these homes will be for the private market, with the remaining 30% being built for social housing.
The overall 39.5 acre site for the proposed development surrounds the existing Brawney estate in Lissywollen and extends east towards the ESB facility in Garrycastle.
The project involves, and is dependent on, the development of a controversial link road between the Ballymahon Road roundabout and Garrycastle Road roundabout which must be completed by the end of September 2020.
In October, the developer lodged a pre-application consultation request with An Bord Pleanala.
At the end of this pre-application period, An Bord Pleanála will “form and issue an opinion as to whether documents submitted constitute a reasonable basis for an application or whether further consideration or amendment to the documents are required.”
An Bord Pleanála had been due to decide before Christmas on the pre-application consultation but a date in March has now been indicated for a decision on whether the developers can lodge a full planning application.
Once lodged with An Bord Pleanála, full planning applications for SHDs are to be decided within a mandatory 16-week period which also includes public consultation and submission of a report by the planning authority.
The controversial Lissywollen South access road has sparked objections from residents in the Brawny area. They say it will dissect their community and cut off half the estate from the green space and football pitch.
They argue that what was proposed as an access road for the new housing development, is now being constituted as a link road between two major existing routes.