Plan for 177 new homes in Cornamaddy gets green light
Some 177 new houses are set to come on stream in Athlone after Westmeath County Council granted planning permission to a county Kildare-based company for a large scale housing development in Cornamaddy.
Marina Quarter Limited, which received the go-ahead for 70 new houses in Cornamaddy last November, is behind the latest residential development for the area, which is located on a 7.31 hectare site. The permission has been granted subject to 24 planning conditions.
The development consists of a mix of detached, semi-detached and terraced houses, maisonettes and 3-storey duplex apartments; 65 two-bed houses; 71 three-bed houses; nine four-bed houses, 24 one-bed maisonette apartment units and eight three-storey duplex apartment units. The housing units will range in height from 2-3 storeys, and an area of public open space has also been incorporated into the plans.
The site is located approximately 2km from Athlone town centre and close to the Drumaconn housing development in Cornamaddy, and according to the planning documents submitted by the developer it will form part of a “new residential neighbourhood in Athlone of circa 400 units” and is part of a larger phase of permitted and proposed development” for the area. The application was also accompanied by an Environmental Impact Assessment Report and a Natura Impact Statement.
The list of conditions attached to the grant of planning permission covers a wide range of issues including a stipulation that a minimum of 10% of all car parking spaces be provided with “functioning EV charging stations/points. The council also sought the payment of a development contribution of €584,715.50 and two special contributions in respect of additional works to two roads located in the area of the development site.
The first contribution of €330,129 is in respect of the Cormamaddy Roundabout and Link Road, while the second special contribution, of €774,624 relates to works on the Cornamaddy to Coosan Link Road. The council stated that it was considered reasonable that the developer would contribute towards the specific exceptional costs incurred by the planning authority which are not covered in the Development Contribution Scheme and which “benefit the proposed development.”
Marina Quarter Limited lodged the planning application on November 3 last with the council due to make a decision by January 6 last. However, the council sought further information on a number of aspects of the proposed development on January 5 last, including housing design; landscaping; ecology; environment, active travel and roads.
The plans for the site include the provision of three separate play areas with a range of play equipment.